Experience Albuquerque, the “Land of Enchantment”
Albuquerque, New Mexico's largest city, is named after a Spanish Duke, by a group of colonists who had been granted permission by King Philip of Spain to establish a new city on the banks of the Rio Grande River in 1706. The selected site would prove beneficial for its crop irrigation and the stands of cottonwoods, willows and olive trees near the mountains. The site also provided important protection as well as trade with the Indians from nearby pueblos in the area.
As the early Spanish settlers were religious people, their first task was to build a small adobe chapel. The city spread out from that point and the plaza was surrounded by small adobe homes clustered together for protection against any threats posed by hostile forces in this vast country. That original church, San Felipe de Neri, still stands on the spot where it was erected. Even though the building itself has been enlarged several times and remodeled, its original thick adobe walls are still intact. Since its inception the church is still the hub of Old Town, the historic and sentimental heart of Albuquerque, which buzzes today with shopping, dining and cultural events.
Albuquerque has been called one of the most diverse cities in the U.S. with its colorful and distinctive mix of people and cultures set against the natural landscapes, traditional architecture and magnificent sunsets of New Mexico. It is easy to see how the spectacular vistas provide the perfect backdrop for the rich history and proud heritage that exist in Albuquerque, the "Land of Enchantment."
Although Albuquerque reveres its rich history, it does not live there. Albuquerque is home to some of the nation's finest high-tech research facilities and educational institutions. Sandia National Laboratory, Phillips Laboratory, and the University of New Mexico are just a few who are blazing the trail to Albuquerque’s future. Albuquerque continues to enchant visitors and residents alike with its natural beauty and vision in this magical vista in America’s southwest.
Fast Facts
- Population: 448,607
- Median Household Income: $38,272
- Median Family Income: $46,979
- Per Capita Income: $20,884
- Latitude: 35°6'39" North
- Longitude: 106°36'36" West
- Albuquerque is on Mountain Standard Time Zone and observes Daylight Savings Time.
- Travel and Transportation: Public transportation is available through the city’s ABQ Ride Bus Service, Greyhound Bus Line and Amtrak. Air travel is accessible via the Albuquerque International Sunport.