II.

Land and Resources

With an area of 314,937 sq km (121,598 sq mi), New Mexico is the fifth-largest state in the United States. The state is roughly square in shape, and its extreme dimensions are 629 km (391 mi) from north to south and 565 km (351 mi) from east to west.

A.

Physical Geography

New Mexico has great diversity of topographical relief, from desert basins to lofty snowcapped peaks. The eastern third of the state is part of the Great Plains. The portion of this region lying south of the Canadian River is known as the High Plains, or Llano Estacado. The north-central part of the state is occupied by an extension of the Rocky Mountains. The gorge of the Rio Grande extends from north to south, dividing this rugged region in half: to the east lie the Sangre de Cristo Mountains; to the west are the Nacimiento Mountains.

The central and south-western parts of the state are occupied by the Basin and Range Region. The north-western quadrant of New Mexico is part of the Colorado Plateau. The San Juan Basin in the extreme north-east of this region is an area of relatively low relief.

The state’s major river is the Rio Grande. Other rivers include the Pecos, a tributary of the Rio Grande, the Canadian, and Gila. New Mexico has few sizeable natural lakes, and most of these are found in the mountain ranges of the north-central part of the state.

B.

Climate

New Mexico has a mild, semi-arid to arid continental climate. The average annual temperature ranges from about 4.4° C (40° F) in the mountains of the north central region to about 17.8° C (64° F) in the south. The recorded temperature has ranged from -45.6° C (-50° F) in 1951 to 46.7° C (116° F) in 1934.

C.

Plants and Animals

More than 6,000 species of plants have been identified in New Mexico, ranging from desert plants to alpine vegetation. Types include grasses and shrubs, cactus, piñon pine, and forests of yellow, ponderosa, and bristlecone pine.

Because of the diversity of natural environments, New Mexico has a great variety of wildlife. Among the larger mammals are black bear, pronghorn antelope, and mountain lion. Barbary sheep from North Africa have been introduced in mountain areas. Rattlesnakes are also present, and the tarantula is found in the south-west.

D.

Resources, Products, and Industries

New Mexico is particularly rich in energy-related mineral resources such as coal, oil, and natural gas. It is also the nation’s leading supplier of potash. Leading crops are hay, cotton, and vegetables. Principal manufacturing products are electronic equipment, precision instruments, transport equipment, printed materials, and industrial machinery. The making of arts and crafts items is important to most Native American communities. Tourism is a major industry.