Interesting Albuquerque Facts

Albuquerque is New Mexico’s largest city with a Greater Albuquerque population of about 750,000 (2004). It has a colorful history beginning in 1706 when founded by Spanish colonists. It is rich in Spanish influence and Native American heritage that existed thousands of years before the Spanish arrived. Today Albuquerque is a fast-growing thriving metropolis where contemporary amenities coexist with traditions of the past.

  • The original names was “Alburquerque” named in honor of the Spanish Duke of Alburquerque. Legend has it that the “first r” was dropped in the 19 th century by an Anglo-American railroad stationmaster that had difficulty pronouncing the name. Well he wasn’t the only one. The name Albuquerque is perhaps the most often misspelled city name in America with such variations as “Albuquerge”, “Albaquerque”, “Albequerque” and scores of others.
  • The elevation of Albuquerque is 5,280 feet above sea level with its nearby Sandia Mountain peaks reaching about 10,000 feet where the world’s longest aerial tramway lifts you to breathtaking views of a clear-day 11,000 square panorama above the desert floor, canyons and lush forests. Visit www.sandiapeak.com.
  • Low humidity and four-season climate makes Albuquerque, New Mexico an ideal getaway destination. See our Weather Page for current forecasts and average temperatures during the calendar year.
  • The Rio Grande River (Big or Great River) flows from the north to the south through Albuquerque.
  • Albuquerque lies at the center of the New Mexico Technology Corridor along the Rio Grande.
  • Albuquerque is home to Kirtland Air Force Base and interestingly was also the initial home of Microsoft founded in 1975 by Bill Gates and Paul Allen.
  • The median age in Albuquerque is 35 years. For every 100 females age 18 and above, there are 91.8 males.
  • There are five dormant volcanoes on Albuquerque’s west side formed about 190,000 years ago. They are still in their cooling stage, but smoke rising from them was last seen in 1881. When it snows in Albuquerque, the snow melts first at the volcanoes because of the residual heat.
  • The major event in Albuquerque is its International Balloon Festival which attracts almost a million spectators during nine days beginning the first week in October.