Explore this New Mexico Map to determine what you would like to know about the forty-seventh state of the US. Update yourself about the exact geographical location of the State of New Mexico in the United States of America. Look at its geography, history, significant towns and cities, capital city’s location, largest city, time zones, area/zip codes, flag/seal, various terrains in the state, trails, Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs), etc.
About New Mexico
On January 6, 1912, New Mexico was admitted to the Union, becoming the 47th state of the United States of America. The capital city is Santa Fe. Albuquerque is the largest city and metro and urban area in the state. It is the thirty-sixth most populous state in the US. There is no such official language, but the frequently spoken languages are English and Spanish, along with Navajo, Keres, and Zuni.
The US state of New Mexico is known as “The Land of Enchantment.” The State Motto of New Mexico has been taken from the Latin Phrase, “Crescit Eundo,” which means “Grows as it goes.”
Check key facts about New Mexico to get more knowledge about this US state.
New Mexico Flag
The flag of New Mexico consists of a red sun symbol of the Zia people on a background color of gold (yellow). It was officially introduced in 1925. Harry-Mera, an archaeologist and physician, designed the state flag in a competition sponsored by the Daughters of the American Revolution. The flag highlights the state’s Native American and Nuevo Mexico Hispano roots. Learn more about the New Mexico Flag.
The colors used on the New Mexico flag are red and yellow. The central design is simple and elegant. It symbolizes the ancient Zia sun symbol, the unique character of New Mexico. The Zia Indians of New Mexico consider the Sun as sacred. Sun is shown in a red circle with groups of rays pointing in four directions.
Learn more exciting State aspects from New Mexico Facts and Trivia.
New Mexico State Symbols
New Mexico’s official emblem is called the Great Seal of the State of New Mexico. It symbolizes that this southwestern state in the USA treasures the traditions of its Native American, Mexican, and Spanish histories. It was the Spanish who first settled in this area of land, and later it became a part of Mexico.
The design of the seal has two circles:
- Inner Circle: It shows the image of a Mexican eagle that is seen grasping:
- A snake in its beak
- Cactus in its talons
A more enormous American eagle is seen shielding the Mexican eagle by outstretching its wings. In its talons, the American eagle is holding arrows. The Latin words “Crescit eundo,” meaning “It grows as it goes” are written on a banner below the eagles and at the bottom of the seal.
- Outer Circle (or Ring around the Inner Circle): The words “Great Seal of the State of New Mexico” is written in capital letters. The year “1912” (the year in which the state was included in the Union) within two five-pointed stars is written at the bottom of the outer circle.
New Mexico Location
New Mexico Location Map shows the location of the US state of New Mexico on the United States Map. This map showcases the US state boundaries, neighboring countries, and oceans.
New Mexico is located in the southwestern USA. This state in the southern Rocky Mountains is known as one of the mountain states. It shares its border with:
- Oklahoma (in New Mexico’s northeastern part)
- Texas (in the eastern and southeastern parts of the state)
- Chihuahua and Sonora, the Mexican states (in the south)
- Arizona, Colorado, and Utah (in the western US along the Four Corners region)
New Mexico’s exact geographical location is 31°20′ N to 37°N Latitude, and its Longitude is 103° W to 109°3′ W. Check the New Mexico Latitude and Longitude Map to learn more about the precise location.
New Mexico History
The early human history in the New Mexico region dates back to 10,000 years. The Pueblo Indians used to inhabit. It was in the 15th century that the nomadic Apache and Navajo people settled in this place.
In 1540 Spanish explorer Francisco Vazquez de Coronado came to the area in search of gold. He didn’t discover treasure. However, over the next century, the Spanish colonized the current land area of New Mexico.
Mexico declared independence from Spain in 1821. However, after the United States won the Mexican-American war in 1848, New Mexico became a part of the American territory. It was declared the 47th state of the US in 1912.
New Mexico Geography
New Mexico is spread across a total area of 121,590 square miles (314,900 square km), out of which 121,298 square miles (314,161 sq km) are land area and 292 square miles (757 sq km) is water area. It ranks fifth among the fifty US states in terms of total area and is a land-locked state. Check this New Mexico Topographic Map to learn more.
The geographical area of New Mexico has four distinct landforms:
- The Great Plains: It sweeps across the eastern part of the state. The Great Plains region features a high plateau with deep canyons. Carlsbad Caverns, comprised of more than 119 caves, also belong to this landform.
- Colorado Plateau: It is spread across:
- The state of New Mexico’s northwestern corner
- The east of the Southern Rocky Mountains
- The north of the Southwest Basins and Ranges
This region is known for its rolling hills and plateaus, though there are some distinct mountain ranges, including Chuska.
- Rocky Mountains: It is located in Southern Colorado and Northern New Mexico in the US. The mountains run from Poncha Pass in South-Central Colorado and end at Glorieta Pass (south-east of Santa Fe, New Mexico).
- Basin and Range Province: This region extends south of the Rockies into the southwestern quarter of the state. A series of isolated mountain ranges alternate with several broad, barren basins. The region consists of many salt flats as well as white dunes. The Rio Grande flows through the region. Tularosa Basin is situated at the east of the river.
You will learn more about the mountain range, rivers, deserts, plains, the state capital, state boundary, and neighboring country from this physical map of New Mexico.
New Mexico Counties
The state of New Mexico has thirty-three counties for administrative convenience. The county seat efficiently administers each county. Regarding total area, Catron County is the largest county, and Los Alamos County is the smallest county. Check the New Mexico County Map to learn more about the location and boundaries of different counties in the state.
New Mexico Area Codes
Area codes in the State of New Mexico are:
- 505: It serves Santa Fe and Albuquerque.
- 575: It serves eastern and southern New Mexico.
The New Mexico Area Codes Map helps you locate a particular area code. You can use it to learn more about the area code boundary, county and state boundaries, and state capital.
New Mexico Zip Codes
There will be 365 active zip codes in New Mexico in 2022. In New Mexico, the best zip codes to live in are 87544, 87122, 87110, 87111, 87113, and many more. You can locate a particular zip code’s location, boundary, state boundary, and state capital with the help of the New Mexico Zip Codes Map.
New Mexico Cities Map
Learn about the state’s major cities from this New Mexico cities map. It helps you to know the precise location of the state capital, other cities, neighboring states, and water bodies like seas and oceans (if any). Check out the New Mexico Cities Map for more details. The most prominent cities are Santa Fe, Albuquerque, Las Cruces, and Las Vegas.
New Mexico Airports Map
The map shows the location of major airports in New Mexico state. Check the location of different airports in the New Mexico Airports Map. Albuquerque International Sunport, Santa Fe Municipal Airport, Roswell Air Center, and others are the major airports in the state.
New Mexico Airports National Parks and Trails
New Mexico has a wide variety of national parks, monuments, forests, and state parks. The most popular national parks in the state are White Sands National Park, Capulin Volcano National Monument, and many more.
Check out the National Parks in New Mexico Map to get a clear idea about the locations of different national parks, monuments, preserves, etc.
New Mexico Time Zones
The time zone in most parts of New Mexico is UTC−07:00 (Mountain). Its Summer (DST) is 6:00 (MDT). At Nara Visa, the time zone is UTC−06:00 (Central), and its Summer (DST) is UTC−05:00 (CDT).
New Mexico Climate
New Mexico has a mild, arid, or semiarid continental climate. It is characterized by light precipitation, abundant sunshine, low relative humidity, etc. The highest mountains have an environment similar to the Rocky Mountains.
New Mexico’s average annual temperature is in the mid -50s °F (about 12 °C). Extremes can range from near 120 °F (48.9 °C) to the -50s °F (-45.6 °C).
Summers are warm and very pleasant, while winters can get quite cold. You can see plenty of snow in the mountains. You can enjoy the rains in the late summer, but Northern New Mexico is known for its fantastic weather.
To learn more about the climatic condition of New Mexico, do check out this New Mexico Infographic.
FAQs on New Mexico
FAQ # 1: What Time Zone in New Mexico?
Ans: The time zone in most parts of New Mexico is UTC−07:00 (Mountain). Its Summer (DST) is 6:00 (MDT). At Nara Visa, the time zone is UTC−06:00 (Central), and its Summer (DST) is UTC−05:00 (CDT).
FAQ #2: Where is New Mexico situated?
Ans: It is situated in the South Western United States.
FAQ #3: What is the Capital of New Mexico?
Ans: Santa Fe is the capital city of New Mexico.
FAQ #4: Who is the Governor of New Mexico?
Ans: The Democratic Party’s Michelle Lujan Grisham is the incumbent governor of New Mexico state. As the 32nd governor of the state, she assumed office on January 1, 2019.
FAQ #5: Does it Snow in New Mexico?
Ans: Yes, seasonal snowfall takes place in New Mexico. 24 inches (609.6 mm) of average yearly snowfall takes place in the state.
FAQ #6: What is New Mexico Known for?
Ans: New Mexico is known for Carlsbad Caverns National Park, White Sands National Monument, Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta, and many more.
FAQ #7: When did New Mexico become a state?
Ans: On January 6, 1912, New Mexico became a state. It was admitted to the Union on this date as the 47th state of the United States.
FAQ # 8: What is the Population of New Mexico?
Ans: The estimated population of New Mexico will be 2.1 million in the year 2022.
FAQ # 9: What is the State Bird of New Mexico?
Ans: Greater roadrunner is New Mexico’s state bird.
FAQ # 10: How many Counties are in New Mexico?
Ans: New Mexico has 33 counties.
