Land of the Lobos
New Mexico Facts | Granted Statehood: January 6, 1912
Nickname: The Land of Enchantment
Population: 1.6 million
Area: 121,598 square miles, 5th largest in the U.S.
Home to: 19 Indian Pueblos, the Navajo Nation, the Jicarilla, and the Mescalero Apache
State Flower: Yucca State Tree: Piñon State Bird: Roadrunner State Animal: Black Bear State Vegetables: Chile and Pinto Beans State Cookie: Biscochito State Question: Red or Green?
Highest Point: Wheeler Peak 13,161 feet
Lowest Point: Red Bluff Lake 2817 feet | New Mexico’s first district includes some of the most diverse areas and unique events in the country. New Mexican culture is a rich mix of Spanish and Native American influences, combined with the peoples and traditions of every continent. Old Town in Albuquerque is a historic district that dates back to the original founding of the city in 1706. The Hispanic and Indian Pueblo Cultural Centers also offer information on art, history, and culture of the Spanish and Native Americans.
The first district is ideal for outdoor activities. The Sandia and Manzano mountains are perfect places for camping, hiking, and biking. In the winter, Sandia Peak Ski Resort offers great skiing. For a scenic view of the Sandia Mountains, take the Sandia Tram.
The Salt Mission Trail provides a scenic view of the Manzano Mountains and historic sites in Torrance County. In the fall, Albuquerque hosts the International Balloon Fiesta which is the largest gathering of hot air balloons in the world. These are just some of the attractions in the first district. To learn more, visit New Mexico’s Tourism Department or the Albuquerque Convention and Visitors Bureau.
First District Representation
When New Mexico became the 47th state on January 6, 1912, George Curry, the Governor of the New Mexico territory, became our first congressional representative. From 1911 to 1969, New Mexico was represented by only one or two congressmen. In 1969, New Mexico was split into two congressional districts. Manuel Lujan Jr. became the first representative for the first district.
New Mexico’s population continued to grow. In 1982, the congressional districts were redrawn and a third was added. Since then, with a few changes each decade, the first district of New Mexico has been centered on the City of Albuquerque.
Manual Lujan Jr. became the Secretary of the Interior in 1989. Steve Schiff represented the first district from 1989 through his death in 1998.
Rep. Heather Wilson was elected in a special election on June 23, 1998.
New Mexico Trivia: Did you know?
- Santa Fe is the highest capital city in the U.S.
- New Mexico has the lowest water-to-land ratio in the U.S.
- Albuquerque was founded in 1706 as a Spanish farming community.
- Hatch is known as the green chile capital of the world.
- Robert Goddard started New Mexico’s aerospace industry in the 1930’s.
- Native Americans have lived in New Mexico for about 20,000 years.
- The Palace of the Governors in Santa Fe is one of the oldest government buildings in the U.S.
- The first atom bomb was detonated in New Mexico’s Trinity Site on July 16, 1945.
- New Mexico has more PhD's per capita than any other state in the U.S.
- The Sandia Peak Tramway is the longest aerial tram in the world.
Famous New Mexicans
Dennis Chavez: Influential congressman and senator. He served in the U.S. House from 1931-35 and in the U.S. Senate from 1935-1962. He helped improve education in New Mexico, championed civil rights, and promoted Latin American relations.
Sid Gutierrez: Air force pilot, astronaut, and department manager at Sandia National Laboratories. He piloted the Space Shuttle Columbia during a 9 day mission. He graduated from the Air Force Academy.
Al Unser Sr.: Born in Albuquerque on May 29, 1939. Al Unser became a famous race car driver winning the Indianapolis 500 four times during his career.
William Hanna: Born in Melrose on July 10, 1910. William Hanna, along with business partner Joseph Barbera, created several popular cartoons such as Scooby Doo and The Flintstones.
Robert Oppenheimer: Known as “The Father of the Atomic Bomb”. Oppenheimer directed the Manhattan Project to develop the first atomic bomb. He and other scientists developed the bomb, which effectively ended World War II, in Los Alamos Laboratories and tested it near Alamogordo in the area known today as White Sands.
Leslie Marmon Silko: A Native American author who draws from her Laguna Pueblo heritage to write captivating books, short stories, and poetry.
Esther Martinez: A famed Tewa storyteller from the Ohkay Owingeh Pueblo. Martinez told stories to thousands and fought to preserve Native American languages.
Georgia O'Keeffe: Although originally born in Wisconsin, Georgia O’Keeffe moved to New Mexico in 1929. She painted some her most famous work based on New Mexican landscapes and animal bones.
Clyde Tombaugh: An astronomer who discovered Pluto in 1930. The name Pluto refers to the Roman god of the underworld. Though originally thought to be a planet, scientists have reclassified Pluto as a dwarf planet.
Tony Hillerman: An award-winning American author, Hillerman is best known for his detective novels and non-fiction pieces. His works reflect his appreciation of the southwest and of its people, especially the Navajo. |