History & Foundation
- Founded in 1706 as “San Francisco de Alburquerque” (originally with an extra ‘r’), making it one of the nation’s oldest inland communities
- Named after the Duke of Alburquerque in Spain; the ‘r’ was dropped over time for unknown reasons
- Celebrated its 300th birthday in 2006
- The historic Old Town Plaza has been a crossroads since 1706, with four flags flying above: Spain, Mexico, United States, and New Mexico
- Built following traditional Spanish village pattern with a central plaza – this area still exists today as Old Town
Unique Language Fact
- Albuquerque is the only word in the English language that repeats the letter sequence “que” twice
Elevation & Geography
- At 5,312 feet elevation, considered one of the highest metropolitan cities in America
- Geographical center of New Mexico, “The Land of Enchantment”
- Metro area population of over 920,000 and growing at about 1% per year
- City encompasses over 133 square miles
- Equidistant from Los Angeles to Kansas City, Phoenix to Denver, and Salt Lake City to Dallas
Mountains & Natural Features
- The Sandia Mountains are the first mountains west of the Mississippi River
- “Sandia” means “watermelon” in Spanish – the mountains glow reddish-pink at sunset
- 10,378-foot Sandia Crest offers panoramic views of more than 11,000 square miles
- The 2.7-mile Sandia Peak Tramway is the longest aerial tramway in North America and third longest in the world
- Takes about 20 minutes to ride from 6,600 feet at the base to 10,378 feet at the summit
- Five dormant (not extinct) cinder cone volcanoes on West Mesa, formed about 150,000 years ago
Climate & Weather
- Enjoys blue skies and sunshine 310 days per year
- 78% of all available sunshine annually (based on historical Weather Bureau records)
- Definite seasons: crisp winters with sun, summers in the 90s, mile-high elevation keeps it from being oppressive
- Low humidity at high elevation
Hot Air Balloons
- Hot Air Balloon Capital of the World
- Hosts the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta annually in October – the world’s largest hot air balloon event
- Unique weather conditions called “the box” create ideal flying conditions
- Home to pilots of “Double Eagle II,” the first manned balloon to cross the Atlantic Ocean
- The breakfast burrito is said to have originated at the Balloon Fiesta in the 1970s
Native American Heritage
- Heart of Indian pueblo country – the oldest farming civilization on the North American continent
- 19 pueblos in the surrounding area
- Indian Pueblo Cultural Center showcases rich traditions, folk art, traditional dances, and Native American market
- Petroglyph National Monument contains over 20,000 rock carvings created over 2,000 years
- Acoma Pueblo (“Sky City”), 60 miles west, sits atop a 350-foot mesa
Technology & Innovation
- Microsoft was founded here in 1975 by Bill Gates and Paul Allen (relocated to Washington in 1979)
- First Bitcoin machine in the United States debuted in an Albuquerque cigar shop
- Nuclear capital of the United States – much of the nation’s nuclear research conducted here
- Home to Sandia National Laboratories and the National Museum of Nuclear Science & History
- Kirtland Air Force Base, the sixth largest Air Force installation in the U.S.
- Lovelace Clinic tested the original Mercury 7 astronauts in 1959 with extreme laboratory tests
Food & Drink Culture
- Official New Mexico state question: “Red or Green?” (referring to chile choice) – answer “Christmas” for both
- Biscochito (anise-flavored cookie) is the official New Mexico state cookie
- Oldest wine-producing region in the United States – Spanish missionaries planted vineyards in early 1600s
- Albuquerque breweries won first AND second place in the 2015 National IPA Challenge
- Traditional luminarias (paper bags with candles) make it the “City of Little Lights” at Christmas
Film & Television
- International fame as filming location for “Breaking Bad” and “Better Call Saul”
- New Mexico was the first state to offer major tax rebates to filmmakers
- Productions filmed here include “The Avengers,” “Transformers,” “No Country for Old Men,” and “Rent”
- Self-guided and RV tours of Breaking Bad locations available citywide
Sports & Entertainment
- Albuquerque Isotopes (AAA baseball team) – named after “The Simpsons” episode in a 2003 fan vote landslide
- Home to multiple Indianapolis 500 winners: Bobby, Al Jr., and Al Unser
- Annual New Mexico State Fair – ranked #1 in per capita attendance nationally
- Can ski on mountain slopes and play tennis in the city on the same winter day
Architecture & Buildings
- Tallest building only 22 stories/351 feet high – soil near Rio Grande makes tall construction difficult
- KiMo Theatre (1927) showcases unique Pueblo Deco style – fusion of Southwest/Native American culture with 1920s Art Deco
- San Felipe de Neri Church in Old Town has walls over seven feet thick (built 1706)
- Adobe buildings and Spanish colonial architecture throughout Old Town
Outdoor Recreation
- Golf played year-round
- 28% of the metro area is parkland – highest percentage for any U.S. metro area
- Sandia Peak Ski Area has one of the world’s longest chairlifts at 7,500 feet
- 16-mile Paseo del Bosque trail along the Rio Grande
- Rio Grande flows north-to-south through the city, bisecting it just west of Old Town
Route 66
- Historic Route 66 runs through the heart of Albuquerque on Central Avenue
- Original neon signs, retro motels, and vintage diners still line the route
- City’s population boomed during the 1930s Dust Bowl as Americans migrated westward
Cultural Diversity
- Recognized as one of the most culturally diverse cities in the country
- Blend of Native American, Spanish, Mexican, Anglo, African, and Asian influences
- National Hispanic Cultural Center – only national institution dedicated to Hispanic culture
- Over 420 churches, temples, and synagogues representing every major denomination
Education
- One of the most highly educated large cities – frequently in top 10 for PhDs per capita
- UNM known for Medicine, Electrical Engineering, Anthropology, and Romance Languages
- Southwestern Indian Polytechnic Institute offers comprehensive programs for Native American students
Historical Sites & Nearby Attractions
- Carnuel ruins at Singing Arrow Park – only stabilized Spanish Colonial village ruins in the U.S.
- Kuaua pueblo (Coronado’s 1541 winter headquarters) at Coronado Historic Site, 20 miles north
- Sandia Cave with artifacts dating back 25,000 years
- Nine national monuments within a day’s drive
- Carlsbad Caverns National Park, 300 miles south
- Santa Fe, 62 miles north – oldest capitol building in the U.S.
Resources & Industry
- Located at junction of I-40 (East-West) and I-25 (North-South/Pan American Highway)
- Abundant natural gas supply from San Juan Basin
- Approximately 40% of U.S. uranium reserves found 70 miles west
- Federal Aviation Air Route Traffic Control Center for five-state area
- Over 4.4 million tourists visit annually