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New Mexico became the 47th state on Jan 6^th 1912. New Mexico is affectionately known as the "enchanted state" in reference to the magic of this great state.

Origin of state's name: New Mexico was given to the state by the Spaniards for land north of the Rio Grande. 

Population: The population of New Mexico is in excess of 1.8millin people based on the last census in 2000.

Capital: The capital city of New Mexico is Sante Fe which is known as "the city of different" in reference to the way the city embraces its natural environment by keeping its beauty and blending in with the surrounding desert. Santa Fe is the highest capital city in the United States at approximately 7,000 feet above sea level.  The state is surrounded by several other states including Texas, Colorado, Arizona, Oklahoma, Utah and the country of Mexico to the south.

Driving  

Driver's license information, applications, testing requirements, Driver's manuals and testing locations can all be found on the State of New Mexico's Department of Taxation and Revenue website under the Motor Vehicle Division. 

http://www.state.nm.us/tax/mvd/mvd_home.htm

Economy: New Mexico is a state rich in natural deposits such as uranium, potassium, potash, copper, zinc, gold and silver and coal.  Other industries include farming especially sheep and cows, food processing, chemical production, lumbar and transport equipment manufacture.  Peanuts, pecans, lettuce, onions, corn and sorghums are grown widely throughout the state and help drive the economy of the state.

Flower: The state flower is the Yucca glauca which has beautiful whitish yellowish flowers and I a member of the Lily family. The leaves of the Yucca can be used to make rope and baskets.

Bird: The state bird is the Roadrunner or Geococcyx californianus who is more comfortable on the ground than in flight. The roadrunner can be seen running at very quick speeds and is primarily a carnivore.

Song: The state song is "O Fair New Mexico" by E Garrett which is a beautiful song in praise of this enchanted state.

New Mexico – Interesting Facts

• New Mexico has more Indian tribes than any other state and the tribal rules within each of these tribes may supercede state law.
• New Mexico has very few lakes or rivers and in order to combat this many dams were built in the state and the lakes formed by these act as reservoirs.
• The Rio Grande River runs the entire length of New Mexico.
• A large portion of New Mexico is covered in forest. It is though to be up to 30%
• Very few roads in New Mexico are paved as the climate is so dry that they do not need to be.

New Mexico – Famous People

Many famous people were born and raised in New Mexico and many famous people call Nevada their home today. This includes actors, athletes, authors, politicians and entertainers. The great race care drivers Al and Bobby Unser are both form the state as is the famous actress Demi Moore. Conrad Hilton of the Hilton Hotel fame as well as the great John Denver are also natives.