HISTORY In 1706 a group of Spanish colonists chose a wide curve in the Rio Grande river to establish a new city named Albuquerque to honor a Spanish Duke, the 10th Duke of Albuquerque. Among the first buildings erected was a small adobe chapel which still stands today. The church, San Felipe de Neri, has been enlarged several times but its original adobe walls are still intact. The church is the hub of Old Town, the historical heart of Albuquerque. Long before the colonists made their way to the Rio Visit www.indianpueblo.org Grande, American Indians made this wonderful land for more information on the their home. Their lifestyles and beliefs are depicted in American Indians that the ancient cliff dwellings and petroglyphs still found continue to live in this region in the region today. today. The allure of Albuquerque continues to bring settlers of a different nature to the area today. The appeal of an area that offers unbounded natural beauty, significant historical attractions, magnificent climate with four distinct seasons, exciting artisan community and exciting high-tech population. Albuquerque honors its past yet keeps moving into the future with each technological advance. New Mexico officially became part of the United States in 1912 as the 47th state. But the state's and city's history is much older. In fact, Albuquerque will be celebrating its Tricentennial from April 2005 through April 2006. Albuquerque is one of only thirty U.S. cities which is able to claim a tricentennial mark. San Felipe de Neri Church Visit www.sanfelipedeneri.org for more For complete information on Albuquerque's information on this historical church wonderful history visit www.newmexicohistory.org . DEMOGRAPHICS Albuquerque is…. one of the oldest inland cities in the US (founded in 1706). located in Bernalillo County and is the county seat. in the mountain standard time zone located in the latitude of 35.084N and the longitude of -106.65W. located on 180.6 square miles. Located at an elevation of 5,314 feet above sea level, the highest metropolitan city on the American mainland. chosen as one of "8 Towns for a Fit & Healthy Retirement," by Where to Retire magazine, November/December 2003 has a population of more than 712,000 in the greater metro area. is the hot air balloon capital of the US, hosting the largest international hot air balloon competition in the world annually. Has nine national monuments located within a day’s drive of the city limits. Median Househ old Income National Income 4 2000 4 0000 Local Income 3 8000 $38,272 Local 3 6000 $41,994 National Source: 2000 census, U.S. Census Bureau WEATHER In spite of its southern latitude, Albuquerque's high altitude results in a mild, dry climate with four definite changes of season. Average annual relative humidity is about 44% and Albuquerque is sunny 76% of the year. Albuquerque by the Numbers: Average Annual Rainfall: 8.5 inches Average Annual Snowfall: 11.1 inches Average Spring Temperature: 70º F Average Summer Temperature: 90º F Average Autumn Temperature: 70º F Average Winter Temperature: 50º F LINKS TO ALBUQUERQUE Albuquerque Chamber of Commerce www.abqchamber.com Albuquerque Convention & Visitors Bureau www.itsatrip.org Albuquerque Hispano Chamber of Commerce www.ahcnm.org Albuquerque Online www.abqonline.com Bernalillo County Website www.bernco.gov City Data www.city-data.com/city/Albuquerque-New-Mexico.html City of Albuquerque www.cabq.gov Dining Guide http://www.collectorsguide.com/ab/abdid.html History of Albuquerque www.newmexicohistory.org Map of Albuquerque Area www.collectorsguide.com/ab/abmaps/abmapa.pdf Motor Vehicle Division www.mvd.newmexico.gov New Mexico State Tourism Department www.newmexico.org Real Estate Information www.ISellAlbuquerqueHomes.com Ski New Mexico www.skinewmexico.com/ The University of New Mexico www.unm.edu/ LOCAL ATTRACTIONS Albuquerque offers a vast array of activities for young and old year round! Albuquerque Aquarium exhibits Gulf of Mexico saltwater species from a variety of habitats, including estuarine, surf zone, shallow waters, coral reefs, open ocean and deep ocean. The highlight of the aquarium is a 285,000 gallon ocean tank where brown, sandtiger, blacktip and nurse sharks swim alongside brilliantly colored reef fish, eels, sea turtles and open ocean species. Click HERE for complete information. Location Photo from http://www.cabq.gov/biopark/ 2601 Central Ave. NW aquarium/index.html Hours of Operation Open every day of the week, 9am - 5pm June through August: 9am - 6pm, Saturday and Sunday Closed: Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Days Since 1972, visitors from around the world have descended upon Albuquerque each fall to witness the spectacle of the sport of ballooning. The Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta is the city and state’s most attended event. During this spectacular event more than 700 hot air and gas balloons will fly from the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta launch field, making New Mexico skies a kaleidoscope of colors – an event the agency calls one of the greatest events in the country. Visit www.aibf.org for a complete schedule of events. Photo from www.aibf.org LOCAL ATTRACTIONS Each year thousands of indigenous / Native American / Indian dancers and singers representing more than 500 tribes from Canada and the United States come to Albuquerque to participate socially and competitively at the Gathering of Nations Pow Wow, at the University of New Mexico Area, the “Pit.” This trading of intercultural traditions and crafts is an experience for all who attend. Hundreds of artists, crafters, and traders place their wares on display and for sale at the Indian Traders Market, offering a special exhibition and shopping experience. The Gathering of Nations is an experience for all Photo from http:// people, Indian and non-Indian alike. Click HERE for more information and a www.gatheringofnations.com/ schedule. Bordered on the west by the famed Rio Grande and the largest cottonwood gallery forest in the world, the lush and peaceful Rio Grande Botanic Garden represents an oasis in the desert. The Garden currently encompasses 20 developed acres, including a 10,000 square foot glass conservatory housing native and exotic plants from desert and Mediterranean climate zones and a seasonal butterfly conservatory featuring hundreds of free-flying North American butterflies and moths. Click HERE for more information. Location 2601 Central Ave. NW Photo from http://www.cabq.gov/biopark/garden/ Hours of Operation index.html Open every day of the week, 9am - 5pm June through August: 9am - 6pm, Saturday and Sunday Closed: Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Days LOCAL ATTRACTIONS The 64-acre Rio Grande Zoo offers visitors a pleasant stroll highlighted by close encounters with more than 250 species of exotic and native animals. Popular species include seals and sea lions, chimpanzees, gorillas, orangutans, elephants, polar bears, giraffes, hippos, camels, tamarins, koalas, Mexican wolves, mountain lions, monkeys, jaguars, zebras and rhinoceros. State-of-the-art exhibit design and eye-pleasing landscaping enhance zoo animal husbandry by creating naturalistic habitats complete with trees, grasses, water features and rockwork. Click HERE for more information. Photo from http://www.cabq.gov/biopark/zoo/ index.html Location 903 Tenth Street SW Hours of Operation Open every day of the week, 9am - 5pm June through August: 9am - 6pm, Saturday and Sunday Closed: Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Days Each spring the "Hottest Food Show On Earth" descends on the Sandia Resort and Casino Events Center where the main attraction is the largest collection of hot and spicy products ever assembled in the U.S. Couple this with various cooking demonstrations by famous guest chefs and you have an event that can’t be missed! Click HERE for show details. LOCAL ATTRACTIONS The Museum has eight permanent exhibit halls that take visitors on a journey through time we refer to as "Timetracks" providing snapshots of New Mexico from the formation of the universe to the present day. Click HERE for more information. Location: 1801 Mountain Road NW Photo from http://www.nmmnh-abq.mus.nm.us/nmmnh/nmmnh.html Hours of Operation: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. every day with these important exceptions: Closed on Thanksgiving and Christmas and non-holiday Mondays in January and September. For 120 years Albuquerque has been home to the New Mexico State Fair. Although the event was not identified as a state fair until 1911, today it is known as “The Biggest Show in New Mexico.” Despite the changing face of the New Mexico State Fair over the years, the earliest objectives of the territorial fair have remained the same: to assemble an innovative and accessible exposition of cultural diversity, eclectic artwork, local agriculture and fun, family entertainment. Click HERE for fair schedules. Photo from http://www.virtualalbuquerque.com/VirtualABQ/StateFair/ LOCAL ATTRACTIONS Petroglyph National Monument stretches 17 miles along Albuquerque's West Mesa, a volcanic basalt escarpment that dominates the city’s western horizon. People who have lived along the Rio Grande for many centuries come alive again through images they carved on the shiny black rocks. These images, and associated archeological sites in the Albuquerque area, provide glimpses into a 12,000 year long story of human life in this area. Click HERE for more information. Photo from http://www.nps.gov/petr/index.htm Location: Visitors traveling on I-40 take Unser Boulevard exit north three miles to park visitor center; five miles north to Boca Negra Canyon. Operating Hours: Las Imágenes Visitor Center Hours: 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. daily. Boca Negra Canyon: 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. daily Rinconada Canyon: 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.