By Jessica Morelock
Located in the southwestern corner of the
United States, New
Mexico is a mixture of Old West, Indian and Spanish influences. With its rich cultural history, affinity towards the arts and alleged alien encounters, there are some unusual facts about New Mexico.
Roads
Three-quarters of the roads in New Mexico are unpaved. Because it is so dry, there is no worry of roads being washed away by rainfall.
Language
Descendants of Spanish conquistadors that live in small pueblos in New Mexico speak an ancient form of Spanish that is not spoken anyplace else in the world.
State Animal
The state animal of New Mexico is the black bear, which was chosen in honor of Smokey the Bear, who was found in a tree as a bear cub when Lincoln National Forest was on fire in 1950.
Testing Facility
The first atomic bomb in the world was tested at the White Sands Testing Range near Alamogordo in 1945.
Hot Air Balloons
The world's largest Hot Air Balloon Festival is held in Albuquerque each year.
Alien Crash Sites
The best-known alien spacecraft crash took place in Roswell, New Mexico.
Resources
About the Author:
Jessica Morelock began her professional writing career in 2007, after a three-year stint as a producer and co-host on Sirius Satellite Radio. She has also worked for the airline industry and as a travel agent. She completed a bachelor's degree in political science at the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities.
