Albuquerque, New Mexico's largest city, is rich in history and natural beauty, from its majestic mountains to its vast desert mesas. And with an elevation of 1,615m (5,300ft), it ranks among the highest metro areas in the nation.

A sunny and dry climate
Take a tram to the top of the 3,050m (10,000ft) Sandia Mountains, and you can look out over nearly 40,000 sq km (15,000 sq miles) of spectacular scenery. Albuquerque enjoys dry, clear skies and averages more than 310 days of sunshine a year, making it a popular destination with artists and photographers, as well as outdoor enthusiasts. Hot-air ballooning, biking, hiking and golf are favourite activities.

Spanish settlement
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.

Indigenous roots
Albuquerque has rich Native American cultural ties, which are honoured here through museums, restaurants, shops and festivals. Most of the state's 19 pueblos are within a two-hour drive of Albuquerque, as are a number of small villages where Spanish heritage is vibrantly celebrated.