The City of Albuquerque

Albuquerque is a modern cosmopolitan city with old-world roots and historical charm. The triad of Indian, Spanish, and Anglo cultures have formed the unique heritage of modern day Albuquerque. Each of these cultures have left their mark on the local religion, art, music, architecture, customs, and traditions. The city rises 5,314 feet above sea level and encompasses nearly 100 square miles. It is bordered by the nearly 11,000 foot peaks of the Sandia Mountains to the east and by windswept mesas to the west. The nearly 600,000 inhabitants afford Albuquerque the population to support a large variety of shopping, dining, cultural, and entertainment options. Albuquerque has been listed as one of the best places to live in the United States by Newsweek, U.S. News & World Report, Money, and Entrepreneur magazines.

Founded in 1889, the University of New Mexico (UNM) occupies 600 acres along old Route 66 in the heart of Albuquerque. UNM offers a unique campus environment with a Spanish Pueblo Revival architectural theme. UNM represents a wide cross-section of cultures and backgrounds. In the fall of 2001, a total of 23,659 students were enrolled at the University of New Mexico. UNM employs 22,600 people statewide, including students and employees of University Hospital. Alumni number 100,000 worldwide and nearly half currently live in the state.

Albuquerque is home to the New Mexico Scorpions Hockey Club and the University of New Mexico Lobos. Regional professional sports teams include the Denver Broncos, the Dallas Cowboys, and the Arizona Cardinals. The underground 18,000 seat University Arena, "The Pit," was selected as one of Sports Illustrated's top-20 venues of the century. The Downs at Albuquerque conducts live thoroughbred and quarter horse racing.

Albuquerque is the home of the Sandia Peak Tramway, the world's longest aerial tramway, which spans 2.7 miles while ascending to the top of the 10,378 foot Sandia Peak. From the top of Sandia Peak, visitors can overlook a 11,000 square mile panoramic view of New Mexico, ski, mountain bike, or enjoy fine dining.

The annual Kodak Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta attracts visitors from around the world for nine October days of breathtaking sights as the crisp autumn skies of New Mexico come alive with nearly 1000 hot air balloons.

Old Town Albuquerque was founded in 1706 as "Villa de Alburquerque," a small agricultural village and a military outpost on the Camino Real, the road extending between Chiahuahua, Mexico and Santa Fe. Old town is bounded by Rio Grande Blvd (west), Central Avenue (south), and Mountain Road (north). It features more than 100 shops, boutiques, galleries, and restaurants centered around a Spanish style plaza. The San Felipe de Neri church was built in 1793 on the northwest corner of the plaza.

Only a stone's throw from the legendary Rio Grande and its cottonwood bosque, the Albuquerque Biological Park invites visitors to explore the mystery and diversity of living organisms in a beautiful setting. Core facilities include the Albuquerque Aquarium, Rio Grande Botanic Garden, Rio Grande Zoo and, in the near future, Tingley Aquatic Park. The BioPark has an estimated 6,000 animals and 11,000 plants.

Albuquerque is home to a wide range of museums. The New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science is charged with the task of collecting, preserving, studying, and interpreting New Mexico's natural heritage. The Museum's permanent exhibit, Timetracks: A Journey Through the Natural World, takes the visitor on a tour of the region's natural history, starting with the origins of the universe and concluding with today's living landscapes. The National Atomic Museum tells the story of the nuclear age and the ongoing developments in nuclear science, including a display on nuclear medicine. Older than the state of New Mexico itself, the Museum of New Mexico houses the country's most intriguing collection of art, history and culture in four museums (the Santa Fe Palace of the Governors, Museum of Fine Arts, Museum of International Folk Art, and Museum of Indian Arts & Culture) and five monuments statewide. The National Hispanic Cultural Center, which is located along the east side of the Rio Grande at Fourth Street and Avenida César Chávez in an area known as the Barelas neighborhood, opened in fall of 2001.

Although current maps no longer include the old Route 66, it was a 2448 mile long roadway commissioned in 1926, starting in Chicago and ending in Santa Monica. Route 66 is also known as "The Mother Road," "The Main Street of America," and as "The Will Rogers Highway." In 1985, Route 66 was officially decommissioned, replaced by interstates I-55, I-44, I-40, I-15 and I-10. A surprisingly large amount of the old road is waiting to be found by the more adventurous traveler, including the stretch though Albuquerque. Route 66 captures the ambiance of the 1950's, studded with rustic motels, vintage diners, and miles of neon signs. Albuquerque's Nob Hill-Highland District is a historic stretch of Central Avenue near the University of New Mexico that is dotted with eclectic shops and unique restaurants.

Albuquerque attracts a variety of big-name entertainers, concerts, and cultural events. These events are hosted at Journal Pavilion, New Mexico State Fair / Tingley Coliseum, University Arena, Popejoy Hall, Civic Plaza, and several nearby casinos, many of which have amphitheaters and concert venues.

Other outdoor activities abound in the Albuquerque area. The city has many miles of paved biking and jogging paths. The foothills of the Sandia Mountains contain innumerable hiking and mountain biking trails, including the scenic La Luz trail to the Sandia crest. There are many local golf courses and tennis courts. Albuquerque hosts the annual Duke City Marathon. Other activities include hunting, fishing, rock climbing, water skiing, sailing, horseback riding, canoeing, white-water rafting, and camping in the nearby mountains.