50 States: New Mexico

NEW MEXICO

New Mexico is alive with culture—Native Indian, Hispanic, and American.  All are represented well throughout this 47th state.  The territory of New Mexico originally included all of New Mexico and Arizona plus parts of Nevada, Utah, and Colorado. The state border of New Mexico, the way it is today, was created by congress in 1863, and it officially became a state on January 6, 1912. The postal abbreviation for New Mexico is NM. It is the 5th biggest state and has a population of more than 2 million people. There are roughly 17 people per square mile, making it one of the least densely populated states.

The capital is Santa Fe. It is the highest capital in the U.S., sitting 7000 ft above sea level.  The motto for New Mexico is "Crescit eundo" which stands for "It grows as it goes."  The nickname is the "land of enrichment" because of its beauty and rich heritage.

Those who live in New Mexico are called New Mexicans.  There are only 11 famous people born in New Mexico, according to biography.com.  These include founder of Amazon.com, Jeff Bezos; country singer, John Denver; co-creator of Tom & Jerry and The Flintstones, William Hanna; actor Neil Patrick Harris, who is famous for his role as Doogie Howser, M.D.; founder of the Hilton hotel chain, Conrad Hilton; and actresses Demi Lovato and Demi Moore.

Smokey the Bear was born in New Mexico as well.  A cub was found trapped in a tree during a forest fire in Lincoln National Forest in 1950.  This bear was to become the iconic Smokey the Bear.

New Mexico was home to many Native Indian tribes before it became a state and is still home to 22 tribes.  The Navajo tribe has a reservation that covers 14 million acres.  Various Native American Indian sites that can be visited are:

Aztec Ruins National Monument - Aztec, NM

Bandelier National Monument - Los Alamos

Chaco Culture National Historical Park - Nageezi, NM

El Morro National Monument - Ramah

Gila Cliff Dwelling National Monument - Silver City

Petroglyph National Monument - Albuquerque

Three Rivers Petroglyph Site - Alamogordo

Village of the Great Kivas - Zuni Pueblo

Some other things to do in New Mexico include:

Carlsbad Caverns National Park

-Sandia Peak Tramway in Albuquerque

-Blue Hole, a popular dive destination for SCUBA, in Santa Rosa

-Georgia O'Keefe Museum in Santa Fe

-El Rancho de las Golondrinas, a living history museum in Santa Fe 

-Unser Racing Museum - Los Ranchos de Albuquerque

-San Miguel Mission, a church built between 1610 and 1626 in Santa Fe

-White Sands National Monument is made of white gypsum crystals and is located in Alamogordo.

There are over 300 ghost towns in New Mexico.  There are also zoos, history museums, science museums, amusement parks, national parks, and theaters.

In October, there is a hot air balloon festival in Albuquerque and the Whole Enchilada Festival in Las Cruces.

With all of these things to do and the rich heritage, it is no wonder that tourism contributes greatly to New Mexico's economy.  Other contributors are mining of potash, silver, copper, and uranium and oil and natural gas production.

The state symbols for New Mexico are as follows:

Bird - roadrunner

Mammal - black bear

Fish - New Mexico cutthroat trout

Insect - tarantula hawk wasp

Dinosaur - Coelophysis

Flower - yucca

Tree - pinon

Vegetables - chile and frijoles

Colors - red and yellow

Cookie - bizcochito

Along with the state dinosaur, some other fossils found here are Parasaurolophus, Seismmosaurus, Triceratops, and Tyrannosaurus

The NM flag is yellow with a red symbol called a "Zia" in the center of it.  The Zia is an ancient symbol for the sun which was found on a water jar from Zia Pueblo.  Four posts project outward from the four sides of the Zia, which represent the four seasons, the four directions, the four stages of life, etc.

Several other interesting facts about New Mexico are that it is officially a bilingual state where both English and Spanish are spoken.  Three-quarters of the roads in this state are unpaved so that they don't wash away.  The novel, Ben-Hur, was written by territorial governor, Lew Wallace.  It was published in 1880 and made into a movie in 1959.

Now, play some games and learn more about New Mexico.

If you are looking for books to research New Mexico further, the following items can be found at christianbook.com.  If you purchase any items through my blog, I will receive a commission as I am an affiliate.

Outlaw Tales of New Mexico By Globe Pequot No picture or description was available.

Uniquely New Mexico By Coleen Hubbard / Heinemann Raintree No picture or description was available.

The Pueblo Revolt: The Secret Rebellion That Drove the Spaniards Out of the Southwest - eBook By David Roberts / Simon & Schuster With the conquest of New Mexico in 1598, Spanish governors, soldiers, and missionaries began their brutal subjugation of the Pueblo Indians in what is today the Southwestern United States. This oppression continued for decades, until, in the summer of 1680, led by a visionary shaman named Pope, the Puebloans revolted. Every Spaniard was driven from the Pueblo homeland, the only time in North American history that conquering Europeans were thoroughly expelled from Indian territory. Yet today, more than three centuries later, crucial questions about the Pueblo Revolt remain unanswered. How did Pope succeed in his brilliant plot? And what happened in the Pueblo world between 1680 and 1692 when a new Spanish force again conquered the Pueblo peoples with relative ease? This well-researched book looks at history from every angle to solve the mysteries still surrounding the Pueblo revolt. 279 pages, hardcover with dust jacket.

National Geographic Investigates Ancient Pueblo: Archaeology Unlocks the Secrets of America's Past By National Geographic Society / National Geographic Children's Books At prehistoric sites in the "Four Corners" states (Colorado, Utah, Arizona, New Mexico) of the American Southwest, archaeologists have searched for years, looking for clues to the history of the Pueblo people. Learn what we know about these cliff dwellers. Study the thousands of rock carvings-petroglyphs-they left behind. Discover how modern scientists use ancient artifacts to learn about the lives of these early Americans.64 pages hardcover, ages 9-12.

New Mexico By Pat Lantier & Catherine Gardner(Editor) / Gareth Stevens Publishing Bolster students' knowledge of the state they live in! Discover the history of the state, including Native American history, colonial history, and modern history, and learn about the current demographics of the state, the land itself, the economy, state government, and cultural attractions. "Fun Facts," "Famous people" and "In history" sidebars provide interesting tidbits of information. Full-color photographs, time line, glossary, and index included. 32 pages, softcover. Grades 2-4.

New Mexico By Michael Burgan, Jackie Ball(Editor) & Kristen Behrens(Editor) / Gareth Stevens Publishing

More than Petticoats: Remarkable New Mexico Women By Globe Pequot More than Petticoats: Remarkable New Mexico Women presents twelve profiles of women whose artistry, intelligence, and courage broke down barriers in the Land of Enchantment and throughout the world. Among the women included are the Harvey Girls, railroad waitresses and bearers of culture and refinement in the untamed frontier; Mother Magdalen and the Sisters of Loretto, pioneers of education; Nampeyo, master potter and preserver of Hopi culture.These women braved battles, saved nations, scaled mountains, and created masterpieces. Read about their exceptional lives in this collection of absorbing biographies. (6 x 9, 144 pages, b&w photos)

Hiking Carlsbad Caverns & Guadalupe Mountains National Parks, 2nd By Globe Pequot Carlsbad Caverns National Park in southeastern New Mexico is renowned for its amazing system of limestone caves. Both Carlsbad and the nearby Guadalupe Mountains National Park, just across the state line in Texas, are also blessed with spectacular above-ground trails. This thoroughly revised edition is the authoritative and the only comprehensive guide to all of the hiking trails in both parks.

Georgia O'Keeffe By Carole Marsh / Gallopade International Correlated to state and national standards, this series teaches students about important people, places, and events in history. Broken down into short, easy to read passages reinforced by simple activities, each reader includes a glossary, interesting facts, reading, puzzles, highlights of achievements, sequencing of important events, and simple math activities. 12 pages each. Grades K-4.

Nobody's Horses: The Dramatic Rescue of the Wild Herd of White Sands - eBook By Don Hoglund / Atria Books