About Santa Fe, New Mexico

Santa Fe is a city of 62,000, according to the 2000 Census, making it the third largest city in New Mexico after Albuquerque and Las Cruces. Santa Fe's population is primarily Hispanic, Anglo and Native American. The city is located at an elevation of 7,000 feet above sea level at the base of the southern Rocky Mountains in north-central New Mexico. Founded in 1607, Santa Fe is the second oldest city in the United States and is considered both the highest and oldest capital city in America.

Government is the largest employer in Santa Fe followed by the hospitality industry. There are a growing number of technology based businesses locating in the city as well. Santa Fe is considered the third largest art market in the U.S. based on sales with 250 art galleries and dealers in town.

There are four distinct seasons in Santa Fe including snow during the winter in the city. The hottest month is June when temperatures reach into the mid to upper nineties. The daily temperature typically changes 30 degrees due to the city's elevation and cool evenings. Normal rainfall is 14 inches a year.

On average, Santa Fe attracts 1.2 to 1.4 million visitors annually. The most popular months for visitors are April through October peaking in July, August and October. Santa Fe's visitors come from all over the world but most frequently come from Texas, California, New Mexico, Colorado, Illinois, New York, Florida and Arizona. The highest number of international visitors come from Canada, Germany and the U.K.

The Albuquerque Sunport is the closest, major airport to Santa Fe. Santa Fe is located one hour north of Albuquerque by car. A municipal airport is located just outside of Santa Fe and handles only commuter and private aircraft. Santa Fe is a little more than one hour's drive south of Taos, New Mexico.

- taken from santafe.org, the Santa Fe Convention & Visitors Bureau website