New Mexicois astatelocated in thesouthwesternregion of theUnited States of America. It was admitted to the union as the 47th state on January 6, 1912. Considered as one of theMountain States,New Mexico isknown for upscale spas and Spanish colonial architecture.
Inhabited byindigenous peoplesfor thousands of years before European exploration, New Mexico was claimed in the colonial era as part of theImperial SpanishviceroyaltyofNew Spain. Later, it was part of independentMexicobefore becoming aU.S. territoryand eventually a U.S. state. Among U.S. states, New Mexico has the highest percentage ofHispanics, including descendants of Spanishcolonistswho have lived in the area for more than 400 years.
New Mexico, orNuevo Méxicoin Spanish, is often incorrectly believed to have taken its name from the nation ofMexico. However, Spanish explorers recorded this region as New Mexico in 1563, and again in 1581. They believed it contained wealthy Indian cultures similar to those of theAztec Empire.