Albuquerque - Overview

weather: Partly Cloudy47°F    8°C

 Heat and light play an important role for Albuquerque. The climate is dry with low relative humidity and the sun shines more than 300 days of the year, making the summers hot, usually 80 to 95 degrees, and the winters mild, with temperatures in the mid 40s to upper 50s, Fahrenheit. But it is the annual ‘National Fiery Foods and Barbeque Show that really brings on the heat.

Over 10,000 people attend this event yearly to produce and sample the hottest culinary trends and produce, mostly chili peppers and products made from them. The event also features live entertainment, music and plenty of drink to accompany the variety of food.

Albuquerque began in 1706 as a Spanish colony and is historically a farming community. Currently, there is an ethnically diverse population of just under 400,000 residents that grows considerably when the University of New Mexico (UNM) is in session.

The city has long been a haven for tuberculosis patients who thrive in the dry climate and several sanitaria are located on the West Mesa. Retirees have taken notice of the hot, dry weather and Albuquerque has become a top retirement destination.   The famous Route 66 winds through Albuquerque, as does the Rio Grand River. It is situated on a plateau, which ranges from 4,900 to 6,400 feet above sea level giving great views of the surrounding dessert and nearby Mountains, where winter snow falls contribute to the ski areas.   

 Albuquerque is a pleasant city with a mix of adobe Spanish style and modern architecture. Tourists find many places to visit here, including the Maxwell Museum of Anthropology, and the Los Alamos National Laboratory and the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, atomic laboratories that began with the famous Manhattan Project during WWII.  

  Seasonal events such as the Holliday Stroll which takes place over the Christmas Holidays, draw many visitors yearly. Residents place thousands of  lanterns, many made in the Mexican tradition of placing a candle within a sand filled small paper bag, throughout the city creating a charming atmosphere. At the same time, between November 29 and New Years, the annual River Of Lights is held at the Botanic Garden located on the Rio Grande. This is an impressive display of light sculptures from national artists, set lovingly among the gardens along the river.  

  Albuquerque is active in arts and yearly hosts the Revolutions International Theatre Festival and the American Shakespeare Project. The New Mexico Symphony Orchestra performs here and the New Mexico State Fair is an annual event at the Expo New Mexico. Albuquerque is the site of the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta, the largest hot air balloon rally in the world. The annual Gathering of Nations Pow-Wow is also held here which gathers together over 3,000 indigenous Native American dancers and singers who represent more than 500 US and Canadian tribes.