Albuquerque, New Mexico, History

Albuquerque lies in the north-central part of the state of New Mexico, nestled beneath the Sandia Mountains in the Rio Grande Valley, just southwest of Santa Fe. Known as the “Duke City,” Albuquerque grew up around, and owes its existence to the Rio Grande River. It is one of the oldest inland settlements in the United States. Albuquerque has a population of about 550,000. It's a city where Native American culture mixes well with a living, breathing, sprawling metropolis.

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Albuquerque History continued...

Albuquerque is a city with a long, interesting history. Scientists estimate that people inhabited the area as early as 25,000 years ago. The Anasazi Indians lived in the area from 1100 to 1300 A.D. Don Juan de Onate, governor and captain general of the Spanish Kingdom of New Mexico, arrived in the Rio Grande Valley in 1598. He soon realized that the area was the ideal fertile location for a Spanish settlement. However, at that time, the Pueblo Indians had claimed most of the land. Catholic Missionaries began to settle in the area in the 1600's. During this time, the Indian population declined, largely due to diseases brought by the Spanish settlers. The city of Albuquerque was officially founded in 1706. The city's rapid growth can be attributed to the railroad and the Rio Grande. However, neither the river nor the railroad have attributed to the boom of the city as much as military research. The city became a trading center for New Mexico just after World War II.

The University of New Mexico is located in Albuquerque. The city is also famous for its highway system. The city is divided into four quadrants: the Northeast quadrant, the Southeast quadrant, the Northwest quadrant, and the Southwest quadrant. The boundary between north and south is Central Avenue, which was once known as “Old Route 66.” The boundary between east and west is Broadway Boulevard. Traveling along “Old Route 66,” travelers will get a snapshot of the “the old days” as they pass a strip of motels that still exist as they did in the 1940's and 50's.

Among the tourist attractions in Albuquerque are the Rio Grande Zoological Park. This zoo is considered one of the finest zoos in the country. Cochiti Dam, 45 miles northwest of Albuquerque, is the second-largest dam west of the Mississippi River. The city also hosts the annual International Balloon Fiesta. This festival is the largest international hot-air balloon competition in the world. The event lasts nine days, features more than 900 balloons, 1100 pilots, and draws a crowd of more than 1.6 million people.

Whether you're looking for ancient history or modern-day fun, the “Duke City,” Albuquerque, New Mexico, has it all.