Celebrating a Century of Scholastic Journalism Education

JEA Centennial

CELEBRATING A CENTURY OF SCHOLASTIC JOURNALISM EDUCATION
Celebrating a Century of Scholastic Journalism Education

JEA Centennial

Celebrating a Century of Scholastic Journalism Education

JEA Centennial

Our 100 lists of 100: New Mexico

Chaco+Culture+National+Historical+Park.+Photo+by+Alison+Ruth+Hughes+%2F+Wikimedia+Commons
Chaco Culture National Historical Park. Photo by Alison Ruth Hughes / Wikimedia Commons

It’s a list of enchantment today, courtesy of New Mexico.

Our 100 lists of 100

1. New Mexico became the 47th state of the United States on January 6, 1912.
2. It is known as the Land of Enchantment, a nickname officially adopted by the state in 1999.
3. The capital of New Mexico is Santa Fe, the oldest capital city in the U.S.
4. Albuquerque is the largest city in the state.
5. The state’s official flag features the Zia sun symbol, which represents the sun’s daily journey and the four seasons.
6. The Rio Grande is one of the longest rivers in North America and runs through New Mexico.
7. Carlsbad Caverns National Park in southeastern New Mexico features a massive underground cave system.
8. New Mexico is the fifth-largest state in the U.S.
9. The state’s official state flower is the yucca flower.
10. The Very Large Array (VLA), a radio astronomy observatory, is located near Socorro, New Mexico.
11. White Sands National Park in southern New Mexico is home to the largest gypsum dune field in the world.
12. The oldest continuously inhabited community in the U.S. is Acoma Pueblo, also known as “Sky City.”
13. New Mexico is known for its diverse and vibrant arts scene, with a high concentration of artists and galleries.
14. The state’s official state bird is the roadrunner.
15. The Jemez Mountains are home to the Valles Caldera, one of the largest volcanic calderas in the world.
16. The state has a high elevation, with an average altitude of 5,700 feet above sea level.
17. The Manhattan Project, which led to the development of the atomic bomb, had a significant presence in Los Alamos, New Mexico.
18. The state’s official state fish is the Rio Grande cutthroat trout.
19. Roswell, New Mexico, gained fame for the alleged UFO crash in 1947, and it is now a center for UFO-related tourism.
20. The Sandia Peak Tramway in Albuquerque is the longest aerial tramway in North America.
21. New Mexico is known for its unique blend of Native American, Hispanic, and Anglo cultures.
22. The state’s official state mammal is the black bear.
23. The Taos Pueblo is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and has been continuously inhabited for over 1,000 years.
24. The state’s official state vegetable is the chile pepper.
25. Bandelier National Monument preserves ancient Pueblo cliff dwellings and petroglyphs.
26. New Mexico is home to the annual International Balloon Fiesta in Albuquerque, one of the largest hot air balloon festivals in the world.
27. The state has a high number of clear nights, making it an excellent location for astronomical observatories.
28. The Petrified Forest National Park in northwest New Mexico features petrified wood and ancient fossils.
29. The state’s official state gem is turquoise.
30. The El Malpais National Monument showcases extensive lava fields and volcanic landscapes.
31. New Mexico has a rich history of Spanish colonization, evident in its architecture, cuisine, and traditions.
32. The Bisti/De-Na-Zin Wilderness in northwest New Mexico is known for its otherworldly landscapes and hoodoos.
33. The state’s official state insect is the tarantula hawk wasp.
34. New Mexico is the birthplace of the atomic bomb, developed at the Los Alamos National Laboratory during World War II.
35. The state’s official state butterfly is the Sandia hairstreak.
36. The National Radio Astronomy Observatory’s Very Large Array (VLA) is located near Socorro and featured in the movie “Contact.”
37. New Mexico’s White Sands Missile Range is one of the largest military bases in the U.S.
38. The state’s official state cookie is the biscochito, a traditional anise-flavored cookie.
39. The Salinas Pueblo Missions National Monument preserves the ruins of three historic missions.
40. New Mexico is part of the Four Corners region, where the borders of New Mexico, Arizona, Utah, and Colorado meet.
41. The state’s official state reptile is the New Mexico whiptail lizard.
42. Chaco Culture National Historical Park contains the densest concentration of ancient Puebloan ruins.
43. The state has a unique cuisine influenced by Native American, Spanish, and Mexican flavors, featuring dishes like green and red chile stew.
44. New Mexico’s state motto is “Crescit eundo,” which translates to “It grows as it goes.”
45. The state’s official state tree is the piñon pine.
46. The UFO Museum and Research Center in Roswell attracts visitors interested in extraterrestrial phenomena.
47. The Cumbres and Toltec Scenic Railroad is a historic narrow-gauge railroad running between Chama, New Mexico, and Antonito, Colorado.
48. The state’s official state amphibian is the New Mexico spadefoot toad.
49. The Organ Mountains near Las Cruces are known for their jagged peaks and hiking trails.
50. New Mexico has a high percentage of Hispanic and Latino population, contributing to its rich cultural heritage.
51. The state’s official state question is “Red or green?” referring to the choice of chile sauce.
52. The Santa Fe Opera is renowned for its stunning outdoor performances and modern architecture.
53. The state’s official state grass is blue grama grass.
54. The Abo Pass Trail, part of the Old Spanish National Historic Trail, crosses through New Mexico.
55. The state’s official state amphibian is the New Mexico spadefoot toad.
56. The El Rancho Hotel in Gallup hosted many Hollywood stars during the golden age of Western films.
57. New Mexico is home to the International UFO Museum and Research Center in Roswell.
58. The state’s official state aircraft is the hot air balloon.
59. The New Mexico Museum of Space History in Alamogordo features exhibits on space exploration.
60. New Mexico is known for its distinctive adobe architecture, with buildings made from sun-dried bricks.
61. The state’s official state gem is turquoise.
62. The Pueblo people of New Mexico have a rich tradition of pottery-making, with unique styles and designs.
63. The state’s official state nut is the piñon nut.
64. The Cumbres and Toltec Scenic Railroad is one of the highest and longest narrow-gauge steam railroads in the U.S.
65. New Mexico is home to the only federally designated wilderness in the nation dedicated to a single species, the Mexican gray wolf.
66. The state’s official state grass is blue grama grass.
67. The Ghost Ranch in Abiquiú, New Mexico, was once owned by artist Georgia O’Keeffe.
68. The state’s official state question is “Red or green?” referring to the choice of chile sauce.
69. New Mexico has a high concentration of petroglyphs, with thousands of ancient rock carvings.
70. The state’s official state gem is turquoise.
71. The Very Large Array (VLA) radio telescope was featured in the movie “Contact” starring Jodie Foster.
72. New Mexico is known for its vast desert landscapes, including the Jornada del Muerto desert.
73. The state’s official state vegetable is the chile pepper.
74. The Pueblo Revolt of 1680 was a successful uprising by Native American Pueblo people against Spanish colonizers.
75. The New Mexico State Fair, held annually in Albuquerque, is one of the oldest state fairs in the U.S.
76. The state’s official state insect is the tarantula hawk wasp.
77. The El Malpais National Monument features unique lava tubes and ice caves.
78. The Turquoise Trail National Scenic Byway connects Albuquerque and Santa Fe, passing through historic mining towns.
79. New Mexico is home to the Los Alamos National Laboratory, a key center for nuclear research.
80. The state’s official state reptile is the New Mexico whiptail lizard.
81. The Cumbres and Toltec Scenic Railroad is one of the highest and longest narrow-gauge steam railroads in the U.S.
82. The state’s official state aircraft is the hot air balloon.
83. The National Radio Astronomy Observatory’s Very Large Array (VLA) is located near Socorro and featured in the movie “Contact.”
84. New Mexico’s White Sands Missile Range is one of the largest military bases in the U.S.
85. The El Rancho Hotel in Gallup hosted many Hollywood stars during the golden age of Western films.
86. New Mexico is home to the International UFO Museum and Research Center in Roswell.
87. The state’s official state gem is turquoise.
88. The Abo Pass Trail, part of the Old Spanish National Historic Trail, crosses through New Mexico.
89. The state’s official state amphibian is the New Mexico spadefoot toad.
90. The Ghost Ranch in Abiquiú, New Mexico, was once owned by artist Georgia O’Keeffe.
91. New Mexico has a high concentration of petroglyphs, with thousands of ancient rock carvings.
92. The state’s official state grass is blue grama grass.
93. The Cumbres and Toltec Scenic Railroad is one of the highest and longest narrow-gauge steam railroads in the U.S.
94. The state’s official state question is “Red or green?” referring to the choice of chile sauce.
95. New Mexico is known for its vast desert landscapes, including the Jornada del Muerto desert.
96. The state’s official state vegetable is the chile pepper.
97. The Pueblo Revolt of 1680 was a successful uprising by Native American Pueblo people against Spanish colonizers.
98. The New Mexico State Fair, held annually in Albuquerque, is one of the oldest state fairs in the U.S.
99. The state’s official state insect is the tarantula hawk wasp.
100. The El Malpais National Monument features unique lava tubes and ice caves.

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