New Mexico Geography

Basic Facts

• Geographical Region: West
• Size: 121593 sq.mi., 5th rank overall.
• Admitted to Statehood: January 6, 1912
• Population: 2,009,671;36th rank overall.
• Capital: Santa Fe
• Other Major City: Albuquerque
• Abbreviation: NM

Fun Facts

• Nickname: Land of Enchantment
• State Flag: Click Here (opens window to 50states.com)
• State Bird: Roadrunner (opens window to 50states.com)
• State Flower: Yucca Flower (opens window to 50states.com)

Geographical Description

• The Great Plains cover the eastern third of the state. Rivers have carved out deep canyons in the high plateau areas.
• The Rio Grande River cuts through the Rocky Mountains which occupy the central portion of the state. East of the Rio Grande River, is the Sangre de Cristo Mountain range where the highest peak, Wheeler Peak is located.
• The Basin and Range Region stretches across the section south of the Rocky Mountains. This area is characterized by rugged mountain ranges intersected by desert basins. A few of the mountain ranges found here are the Guadalupe, Mogollon, Organ, Sacramento, and San Andres mountain ranges

Map: Relief Map of NM

Industry

Electric equipment, petroleum and coal products, food processing, printing and publishing, minerals, natural gas, stone, glass, and clay products, tourism

Agriculture

Cattle, sheep, hay, onions, beans, dairy products, pinewood, nursery stock, chilies

Other Information

Fun Facts:

• The highest capital city in the United States at 7,000 feet above sea level is Santa Fe.
• The only river that runs the entire length of New Mexico and is New Mexico's longest river is The Rio Grande.
• New Mexico borders at the same point with Colorado, Utah, and Arizona.
• Mexico and the country of Mexico share an international border.
• New Mexico's population is only about 12 people per square mile, and have more sheep and cattle than people.

More Fun Facts: http://www.50states.com/facts/newmex.htm