New Mexico, state in the SW United States. At its northwestern corner are the so-called Four Corners, where Colorado, New Mexico, Arizona, and Utah meet at right angles; New Mexico is also bordered by Oklahoma (NE), Texas (E, S), and Mexico (S). Area, 121,666 sq mi (315,115 sq km). 
Pop. (2000) 1,819,046, a 20.1% increase since the 1990 census.
Capital, Santa Fe.
Largest city, Albuquerque.
Motto, Crescit Eundo [It Grows as It Goes],
State bird, chaparral ( “roadrunner” ).
State flower, yucca. State tree, piñon. Because irrigation opportunities are few, most of the arable land is given over to grazing. There are many large ranches, with cattle and sheep on the open range year round.
Much of the state's income is derived from its considerable mineral wealth. New Mexico is a leading producer of uranium ore, manganese ore, potash, salt, perlite, copper ore, natural gas, beryllium, and tin concentrates. Petroleum and coal are also found in smaller quantities. Silver and turquoise have been used in making jewelry since long before European exploration.
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