New Mexico
New Mexico, the nation's fifth largest state by surface area, contains a wide diversity of cultures and natural wonders. Well before it became a state in 1912, New Mexico was home to Spanish settlers, Mexican colonies and several Native American cultures, who thrived for centuries before the first arrival of European explorers to the Americas.
History
New Mexico's first known inhabitants were the Clovis Paleo-Indians, later to be replaced by the Anasazi and Mogollon peoples who lived more sedentary lifestyle. The Pueblo peoples of the Navajo, Apache and Ute tribes were the first to be encountered by the European settlers.
Much of New Mexico was discovered by Francisco Vasquez de Coronado, who left Spain to search for the legendary Seven Cities of Cibola – also called the Seven Cities of Gold – but, his search revealed only a first encounter with the adobe settlements of the native people. In 1598, Juan de Oñate settled San Jaun colony on the Rio Grande river – the first European colony. In 1609, Pedro de Peralta founded the settlement of Santa Fe, which would become the oldest permanent settlement in the state.
After the Mexican War of Independence, New Mexico became a northern colony of Mexico, and remained under its jurisdiction for 26 years. During this brief period, New Mexico saw the spread of settlers from Mexico and the United States. Trade routes and ranching trails became central to New Mexico's economy, connecting both Mexican and American territories.
In 1848, The Treaty of Guadalup Hidalgo ceded much of what is known as New Mexico today to the United States, and the remainder of the state was joined after the Gadsden Purchase in 1858.
New Mexico joined the nation as a state in 1912. During the second World War, New Mexico became a key player in the development of the atomic bomb and a center for Air Force training and experimentation.
Cultures
Today, New Mexico has a population of about 2 million people, and has the highest population of Hispanic Americans and second highest population of Native Americans.
Government
Governor Bill Richardson (D-NM) and Lieutenant Governor Diane Denish (D-NM) were elected to their second term in 2006. Jeff Bingamin (D-NM) and Pete V. Domenici (R-NM) represent the state in the United State Senate. Steve Pearce (R-NM), Heather A. Wilson (R-NM) and Tom Udall (D-NM) represent the state in the United States House of Representatives. The New Mexico State Legislature, which meets in the state capitol building called "The Roundhouse," is also a bicameral body containing 70 seats in the House of Representatives and 42 seats in the Senate.
Economy
New Mexico's economy is supported by a variety of industries including:
- Agriculture, farming, ranching, livestock, and dairy production
- Lumber
- Mineral extraction and petroleum production
- Homeland Security, Department of State and Department of Defense industries
- Technology and electronics production
- Tourism
- Healthcare and Retirement services