Diversity is something locals have come to expect from Santa Fe, the “City Different.” It has a population of about 72,000 – primarily Hispanic, Anglo and Native American.
Santa Fe is New Mexico’s fourth largest city behind Albuquerque, Las Cruces and Rio Rancho. Situated at 7,000 feet in the foothills of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains (the southern range of the Rocky Mountains), it was founded between 1607 and 1610, making it the second-oldest city as well as the highest and oldest capital in the U.S. In 1912, New Mexico was admitted as the 47th state.
Today, its unique offerings of art, culture and ancient traditions make it a world-class tourist destination, drawing more than 1 million visitors each year. In 2005, Santa Fe became the first U.S. city to be chosen by UNESCO as a “Creative City.”
Santa Fe has long been a center for arts and culture. There are more than a dozen major museums showcasing an array of art, culture, history and traditions, as well the world-class Santa Fe Opera.
Santa Fe averages 300 sunny days per year and has four distinct seasons. We usually see about 14 inches of rain and 17 inches of snow annually. The hottest days arrive in June, when temperatures soar into the high 90s. Because of the altitude, temperatures can change by 30 degrees in a single day, and sometimes all four seasons seem to pass through in a 24-hour time period.
Ski Santa Fe is open from Thanksgiving through Easter, and you can hike and bike year-round. You can also enjoy river rafting, horseback riding, hot air ballooning, fly-fishing, ice-skating and swimming or work out in Pilates and yoga classes and fitness gyms around the city.
For more information about Santa Fe, visit the links below.