Albuquerque, New Mexico

:This article is about the largest city of New Mexico. For other uses, see Albuquerque (disambiguation).

Related Topics:
New Mexico - Albuquerque (disambiguation)

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Albuquerque is the largest city in the state of New Mexico, United States. It is the county seat of Bernalillo County, and is situated in the central part of the state, straddling the river the Rio Grande. The city had a total population of 448,607 as of the 2000 census. The metropolitan area has a population of roughly 750,000 and includes the city of Rio Rancho, one of the fastest growing cities in the United States. ABQ (a colloquialism for the city; also the code for the city's airport) is located where the Interstate highways I-40 and I-25 meet in an interchange which locals refer to as the "Big I." The city was founded in 1706 as the Spanish colonial outpost of Alburquerque; Albuquerque retains much Spanish cultural and historical heritage.

Related Topics:
City - State - New Mexico - United States - County seat - Bernalillo County - River - Rio Grande - 2000 - Census - City - Rio Rancho - Code - Interstate highways - I-40 - I-25 - Spanish

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Albuquerque is home to the University of New Mexico (UNM) and Kirtland Air Force Base as well as Sandia National Laboratories and Petroglyph National Monument. The Sandia Mountains run along the eastern side of Albuquerque and the Rio Grande flows through the city north to south. Albuquerque's climate is usually sunny and dry, averaging no more than 10-12 inches (250 to 300 mm) of precipitation per year.

Related Topics:
University of New Mexico - Kirtland Air Force Base - Sandia National Laboratories - Petroglyph National Monument - Sandia Mountains - Rio Grande

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The city hosts the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta every October. The Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta started in 1972.

Related Topics:
Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta - October - 1972

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