New Mexico is located in the southwest and western regions of the United States. New Mexico is also part of the Mountain States. With a population density of 16 per square mile, New Mexico is the sixth most sparsely inhabited U.S. state. Inhabited by Native American populations for many centuries, it has also been part of the Imperial Spanish viceroyalty of New Spain, part of Mexico, and a U.S. territory. Among U.S. states, New Mexico has the highest percentage of Hispanics, at 44 percent (2008 estimate), including descendants of Spanish colonists and recent immigrants from Latin America.

It also has the third-highest percentage of Native Americans, after Alaska and Oklahoma, and the fifth-highest total number of Native Americans after California, Oklahoma, Arizona, and Texas. The tribes in the state consist of mostly Navajo and Pueblo peoples. As a result, the demographics and culture of the state are unique for their strong Hispanic, Mexican, and Native American influences. The flag of New Mexico is represented by the red and gold colors, which represent Spain, as well as the Zia symbol, an ancient Native American symbol for the sun.

The New Mexican landscape ranges from wide, rose-colored deserts to broken mesas to high, snow-capped peaks. Despite New Mexico's arid image, heavily forested mountain wildernesses cover a significant portion of the state, especially towards the north. The Sangre de Cristo Mountains, the southernmost part of the Rocky Mountains, run roughly north-south along the east side of the Rio Grande in the rugged, pastoral north. The most important of New Mexico's rivers are the Rio Grande, Pecos, Canadian, San Juan, and Gila. The Rio Grande is the eighth longest river in the U.S.
 

Nickname: Land of Enchantment Motto: Crescit eundo (It grows as it goes) Languages: English 82% Spanish 29% Navajo 4% Capital: Santa Fe Largest city: Albuquerque Area Ranked 5th in the US Total 121,593 sq mi Width 342 miles Length 370 miles

Population Ranked 36th in the US - Total 2,009,671 (2009)
Density Ranked 45th in the US - 16.2/sq mi

Elevation

• Highest point Wheeler Peak - 13,161 ft
• Lowest point Red Bluff Reservoir - 2,842 ft

Admission to Union: January 6, 1912 (47th)

Accommodations: New Mexico has dozens of great hotels, motels, and New Mexico Timeshares scattered throughout the state for visitors looking for inexpensive accommodation.