New Mexico Almanac: State Facts and Figures

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New Mexico Almanac

Official Name

New Mexico

Capital

Santa Fe

Nick Name

Land of Enchantment

Motto

Crescit Eundo (It grows as it goes)

Location & Region

35.67850 N, 105.95414 W

Southwest

Constitution Ratified

1911

Statehood

January 06, 1912

47th state

Population

1,819,046

14.99 sq mi.

36th

Largest City
(by population)

Albuquerque, Las Cruces, Santa Fe, Rio Rancho, Roswell

Bordering States

Arizona - Colorado - Oklahoma - Texas - Utah

Number of Counties

33 Counties in New Mexico

Largest County
(by population)

Bernalillo County

556,678

1,166 sq mi.

Time Zone

Mountain Standard Time

New Mexico Climate and Weather

New Mexico has considerable variation in climate, particularly from lower to higher elevations. Overall, it's got lots of sunshine and low humidity. Summer is hot, with temperatures in low elevations sometimes reaching the 100s F/38+ C. The average July high temperature, though, is in the low 90s F/32-35 C at lower elevations and the high 70s F/23-25 C at higher spots. July and August have the most rain, often in brief but intense thunderstorms, which moderate the summer heat. Nights cool off quickly to the comfortable mid 60s F/15-17 C (mid 50s F/10-13 C in the mountains). Winters are moderately cold, especially in the mountains, where the average January high is in the mid 30s F/2-4 C (mid 50s F/10-12 C elsewhere). The higher elevations are the skier's playground -- some places in the northern mountains claim 100 in/254 cm of snow annually -- but the snow isn't heavy everywhere, and what falls may not last.

Highest Temperature

122 degrees
June 27, 1994 - Lakewood

Lowest Temperature

-50 degrees
February 1, 1951 - Gavilan

Avg Temp: High - Low

92.8 degrees

22.3 degrees

New Mexico Highest, Lowest, and Mean Elevations (Feet)

Mean Elevation

5,700

Highest Point

Wheeler Peak

13,161

Lowest Point

Red Bluff Reservoir

2,842

New Mexico Land Area (Square Miles)

Geographic Center

Total Area

121,589.48

5th

Land Area¹

121,355.53

99.81%

Water Area²

233.96

0.19%

Forested Land Area³

20%

Dimensions
(Length - Width)

370 miles

343 miles

Source: (U.S. Census, April 1, 2000)
1. Dry land and land temporarily or partially covered by water, such as marshland, swamps, etc.; streams and canals under one-eighth statute mile wide; and lakes, reservoirs, and ponds under 40 acres.
2. Permanent inland water surface, such as lakes, reservoirs, and ponds having an area of 40 acres or more; streams, sloughs, estuaries, and canals one-eighth statute mile or more in width; deeply indented embayments and sounds, and other coastal waters behind or sheltered by headlands or islands separated by less than 1 nautical mile of water, and islands under 40 acres in area. Excludes areas of oceans, bays, sounds, etc. lying within U.S. jurisdiction but not defined as inland water.
3. 1997

Almanac Provided by SHG Resources