Los Alamos

Los Alamos, city, New Mexico, United States, on Pajarito Plateau, an arid mesa overlooking the Rio Grande Valley 36 miles from Santa Fe. Principally a research centre, this mountain city is the site of Los Alamos National Laboratory, the country's main nuclear weapons research centre. Los Alamos is also the site of the Bradbury Science Museum and the Fuller Lodge Art Center, which includes the Los Alamos Historical Museum, an arts centre, and a performing arts facility. Bandelier National Monument and Jemez State Monument, both featuring Native American Pueblo ruins, are nearby scenic attractions.

During World War II the site was chosen for its remoteness by the American government for nuclear weapon research, and the first atomic bomb was developed here. During this time secrecy was so great that Los Alamos was known only as PO Box 1663 and the town had no street names. The community subsequently was under the control of the Atomic Energy Commission from 1947 until 1962, when it became self-governing; during this period the first hydrogen bomb was designed here. The city's name is Spanish for “the poplars”. Population (1980) 11,039; (1990) 11,455.