New Mexico is one of fifty American states. It borders Colorado to the north, Oklahoma and Texas to the east, Arizona to the west, and Texas and Mexico to the south. New Mexico's greatest feature is perhaps the Hispanic presence in the region, the largest in the United States. Thus, the strong immigration makes it present the highest population growth rates in the country.
The state had been colonized by the Spaniards and the independence of Mexico in 1821 passed to Mexican control. The territory was annexed by the United States in 1848, with the end of the Mexican-American War, however the state was only created by the American government in 1912.
New Mexico has a very arid soil, few rivers and lakes. It has average temperatures of 1ºC in winter and 23ºC in summer. The state's climate is extremely dry, with an average annual rainfall rate of less than 60 centimeters.
The most prominent economic sectors in the State are financial services, telecommunications and transport. The main products manufactured in New Mexico are electronic equipment, clothing and chemicals.
The Hispanic presence in the region is evident (42.1% of its population), mainly in the south of the state. As a result, it has a peculiar characteristic: it is the state that has the highest percentage of Catholics in the United States. Its rich culture and tradition make New Mexico known as “The Colorful State”.
Its capital, Santa Fé, is the second oldest city in the country.
