Albuquerque, N.M.
Mayor: Richard J. Berry (to Nov. 2017) 2010 census population (rank): 545,852 (32); Male: 265,106 (48.6%); Female: 280,746 (51.4%); White: 380,552 (71.6%); Black: 17,933 (3.3%); American Indian and Alaska Native: 25,087 (4.6%); Asian: 14,450 (2.6%); Other race: 82,058 (14.8%); Two or more races: 25,159 (4.6%); Hispanic/Latino: 255,055 (46.7%). 2010 population 18 and over: 414,959; 65 and over: 65,899 (12.1%); Median age: 35. 2014 population estimate (rank): 557,169 (32) Land area: 181 sq mi. (469 sq km); Alt.: 4,958 ft. Avg. daily temp.: Jan., 34.2° F; July, 78.5° F Churches: 211; City-owned parks: 189; Radio stations: 43 (AM, 17; FM, 26); Television stations: 11 Civilian Labor Force (2013): 284,484; Percent unemployed: 7.3; Per capita personal income (2013): $26,163 Chamber of Commerce: Greater Albuquerque Chamber of Commerce, PO Box 25100, Albuquerque, N.M. 87125. Albuquerque Hispano Chamber of Commerce, 1309 Fourth St. S.W., Albuquerque, NM 87102 |
Albuquerque is the largest city in New Mexico and the seat of Bernalillo County. It is situated in west-central New Mexico on the upper Rio Grande.
Spanish settlers arrived in the mid-1600s, but they retreated from the area in 1680 after the Pueblo revolt. The old town was founded in 1706 by Don Francisco Cuervo y Valdés, the governor of New Mexico, and named after the Duke of Alburquerque, the viceroy of New Spain.
The opening of the Santa Fe Trail in the early 19th century brought an influx of settlers, and an army post was established following U.S. occupation in 1846. Albuquerque remained loyal to the Union during the Civil War, although it was briefly occupied by Confederate forces in 1862. The new town was laid out in 1880 after the Santa Fe Railroad was built one mile east of the original plaza. The Spanish old town and the mission church of San Felipe de Neri (1706) were soon enveloped by the new construction but survive today.
The city is noted as a center for health and medical services in the region, and government agencies, nuclear research, banking, and tourism are important to the economy. There is a growing high-tech center in Albuquerque, and Intel Corp.'s largest manufacturing facility is located there.
Albuquerque is the seat of the University of New Mexico (1889). Its numerous attractions include the Albuquerque Biological Park, the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center, the National Atomic Museum, Petroglyph National Monument, and the Sandia Mountain Wilderness.
See also Encyclopedia: Albuquerque.
Selected famous natives natives and residents:
- Pete Domenici U.S. senator;
- Erna Fergusson author;
- Annabeth Gish actress;
- Fred Haney baseball player;
- Ernie Pyle war correspondent;
- Slim Summerville actor;
- Al and Bobby Unser auto racers.
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