About Albuquerque

In the heart of New Mexico, Albuquerque thrives as New Mexico's largest metropolitan center. Albuquerque is an ideal destination for outdoor activities and entertainment with its 310 days of sunshine. Albuquerque is recognized as one of the most culturally diverse cities in the country. It’s ethnic tapestry is reflected in its architecture, artwork, cultural centers and cuisine. One-third of the 1.5 million New Mexicans live in Albuquerque. A truly diverse and multicultural city, Albuquerque offers you a great variety of activities and entertainment.

Albuquerque was listed among the top 15 hottest job centers in the United States by Time Magazine in its January 20, 1997 issue. The city was ranked eighth with a growth rate of 4.4 percent and noted for its focus on high-tech companies and service-oriented businesses. The Rocky Mountain region is "riding the crest on an unprecedented boom."

A unique combination of old and new, Albuquerque is bordered by the majestic 10,000-foot high Sandia Mountains and magnificent mesas. The Rio Grande winds through the city, with a lovely bike and walking path and the Rio Grande Nature Center. Nearby lakes offer you fishing, boating and water skiing.

Albuquerque has been listed as one of the best places to live in the United State by Newsweek, U.S. News & World Report, Money and Entrepreneur Magazines. In Albuquerque you can enjoy national theater productions, concerts, American Indian dances, sporting events, fiestas and great Southwestern food.

From ballet to country-western dancing, chamber music to mariachi music, art galleries to arts and crafts fairs, exploration of ancient petroglyphs and volcanoes to the New Mexico Museum of Natural History, Albuquerque has it all.

With its turquoise skies, mild summers and winters, and breathtakingly beautiful surroundings, Albuquerque is an outdoor paradise of endless recreational opportunities. Mountain backpacking, skiing (snow and water), rafting, kayaking, swimming and hang gliding are just some of the many exciting experiences to discover in and near Albuquerque, the heart of "The Land of Enchantment."

Albuquerque is a also a high-tech mecca. Major technology companies are rapidly joining our traditional base of employers in government, defense and tourism. This all leads to employment opportunities for you--as a student at UNM and after graduation.