ALBUQUERQUE FACT S Albuquerque is the largest city in New Mexico, the state known as the Land of Enchantment. It is situated at 5,000 feet (1,539 meters) above sea level and is a prime location for hot-air ballooning because of the “Albuquerque Box.” The Albuquerque area is home to more than 900,000 residents, and its vibrant cultural diversity can be seen in the many aspects of daily life here. People are drawn to the area for its unique and varying landscape, including the majestic Rocky Mountains, red rock mesas, high desert vegetation and the picturesque Rio Grande river valley. The area is known for its high quality of life and fair weather. It is also one of the nation’s most dynamic art communities. Albuquerque is centrally located making it an easy drive from Denver, Dallas-Ft. Worth, Phoenix, Tucson, El Paso, Oklahoma City, Colorado Springs and Las Cruces, which cities boast a combined metro population of more than 12 million.