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Sandia Mountains, Alburquerque

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Albuquerque history

Founded in 1706 by Spanish colonists as an agrarian outpost, Albuquerque lies on the banks of the Rio Grande and is named in honour of a Spanish duke, hence its 'Duke City' nickname. The devoutly Catholic Spanish settlers erected a small adobe chapel, which remains an anchor of the city's charming Old Town district. Albuquerque grew in prominence as an important stop on the Camino Real, a vital trade route from Chihuahua to Santa Fe. Historic Route 66, which became a famous automobile road of the early-20th century for western travellers, weaves through Albuquerque, lending a bit of vintage architecture and retro nostalgia to the Duke City.

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