A Map of the U.S. state New Mexico

New Mexico Facts

  • U.S. State: New Mexico
  • Abbreviation: NM
  • Joined the USA: January 6th, 1912 (47th State)
  • Located: Southwestern United States
  • Capital City: Santa Fe, NM
  • Most Populated City: Albuquerque, NM

38 New Mexico Facts for Kids

  1. New Mexico is a state in the United States of America.
  2. New Mexico is in the southeastern region of the United States.
  3. New Mexico became a U.S. state on Saturday, January 6th, 1912.
  4. New Mexico was the 47th state to join the United States.
  5. The U.S. state of New Mexico covers 121,590 square miles.
  6. New Mexico is the 5th largest state by area in the United States.
  7. In 2019, the population of New Mexico was estimated to be 2,097,000 residents by the U.S. Census Bureau.
  8. In 2019, New Mexico was the 36th most populated state in the United States.
  9. A person who is from or lives in New Mexico is called a New Mexican.
  10. The capital city of New Mexico is Santa Fe.
  11. The four most populated cities in New Mexico are Albuquerque, Las Cruces, Rio Rancho and Sante Fe.
  12. The largest city by population in New Mexico is Albuquerque.
  13. The largest metropolitan area in New Mexico is the Greater Albuquerque.
  14. The U.S. state of New Mexico has 33 counties.
  15. The most populated county in New Mexico is Bernalillo County with 679,121 residents (2019, U.S. Census Bureau).
  16. The largest county by area in New Mexico is Catron County with 6,928 square miles.
  17. The highest elevation point in New Mexico is Wheeler Peak at 13,168 feet above sea level.
  18. The lowest elevation point in New Mexico is Red Bluff Reservoir at 2,845 feet above sea level.
  19. The average precipitation (rain and snow) in New Mexico is 14.2 inches.
  20. New Mexico is the 47th wettest state by precipitation (rain and snow) in the United States.
  21. The average temperature in New Mexico is 53 °F.
  22. New Mexico is the 23rd warmest state in the United States.
  23. The warmest temperature ever recorded in New Mexico was 122 °F on June 27th, 1994.
  24. The coldest temperature ever recorded in New Mexico was -50 °F on February 1st, 1951.
  25. A few natural disasters that can affect New Mexico are flash floods, monsoons, thunderstorms and wildfires.
  26. New Mexico is in two time zones, Mountain Time Zone (MT) and Central Time Zone (CT).
  27. The USPS abbreviation for New Mexico is MN.
  28. New Mexico is also known as the Land of Enchantment.
  29. The motto of the US state of Mexico is “It grows as it goes”.
  30. There are more PhDs (Doctor of Philosophy) in New Mexico than any other US state.
  31. New Mexico is where the first nuclear weapon was ever detonated, the Trinity bomb.
  32. The official state insect of New Mexico is the tarantula hawk wasp (Pepsini).
  33. The official state bird of New Mexico is the roadrunner (Geococcyx).
  34. The official state fish of New Mexico is the cutthroat trout (Oncorhynchus clarkia).
  35. The official state animal of New Mexico is the black bear (Ursus americanus).
  36. The official state flower of New Mexico is the yucca.
  37. The official state tree of New Mexico is the pinon (Pinus).
  38. The official state gemstone of New Mexico is the turquoise.

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