NHCOA is thrilled to host its 2008 National Conference in the beautiful city of Albuquerque, New Mexico. Its rich history and culturally diverse population make Albuquerque the perfect location. The city offers a wide array of exciting sightseeing, dining, educational, shopping, and recreational opportunities for our Hispanic older adults and other participants, fulfilling an essential criterion for selection. Fascinating and historic Albuquerque is the right city at the right time for our 2008 Annual Conference!

We look forward to having you join us in the city that's been called "the Land of Enchantment," and, all together, to sharing the best of us with each other.

New Mexico Quick Facts

• Population, 2006 estimate – 1,954,599

• Persons 65 Year old and over, percent, 2006 – 12.4 %

• Persons of Hispanic or Latino origin, percent, 2006 – 44%

• State Capital – Santa Fe

• State Nickname – Land of Enchantment

• Households 65 years and over – 8.4%;

2000 US Census data (www.census.gov)

Albuquerque Culture

Albuquerque’s Blend of Cultures

Albuquerque has been called one of the most culturally diverse cities in the United States, as people from almost every ethnicity and background call Albuquerque home. The city is influenced by cultures from around the world. These cultures make up an eclectic array of restaurants, art galleries, museums, festivals and attractions throughout the area. Visitors to Albuquerque can learn more about the Hispanic and Native American cultures by visiting the cultural centers.

Hispanic Culture
Hispanic people are the largest single ethnic group in New Mexico. The Hispanic influence is visible in architecture, art, music, clothing and cuisine. Many place names, as well as family names, are in Spanish.To learn more about the area's Hispanic culture visit the National Hispanic Cultural Center of New Mexico. For more information call 505.246.2261 or visit www.nhccnm.org.

Native American Culture
New Mexico is home to 19 Indian Pueblos- Acoma, Cochiti, Isleta, Jemez, Laguna, Nambe, Picuris, Pojoaque, Sandia, San Felipe, San lldefonso, San Juan, Santa Ana, Santa Clara, Santo Domingo, Taos, Tesuque, Zia and Zuni. Most are within an hour's drive of the city and some pueblos welcome visitors. There are three reservations located in New Mexico: the Navajo Reservation, Jicarilla Apache Reservation and the Mescalero Apache Reservation. If you are interested in finding out more about the Indians of New Mexico, visit www.itsatrip.org/visitors/americanindian or visit the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center site at www.indianpueblo.org. The cultural center has a museum and gallery that provide a glimpse of Native American life in New Mexico. The center is a must-see before visiting a local pueblo.

Albuquerque History – The City's Past

Albuquerque, New Mexico's largest city, was named to honor a Spanish Duke, the 10th Duke of Alburquerque. Colonial Governor Don Francisco Cuervo y Valdez elected the name, but over the centuries the first "r" has been dropped.

In 1706, Albuquerque was founded by a group of colonists who had been granted permission by King Philip of Spain to establish a new villa (city) on the banks of the Rio Grande (which means “big” or “great river”). The colonists chose a place along the river where it made a wide curve providing good irrigation for crops, a source of wood from the bosque (cottonwoods, willows and olive trees) and nearby mountains. The site also provided protection and trade with the Indians from the pueblos in the area.

The early Spanish settlers were religious people, and the first building erected was a small adobe chapel. Its plaza was surrounded by small adobe homes, clustered close together for mutual protection against any threats posed by hostile forces in this vast and dangerous country. The church, San Felipe de Neri, was originally located across the street and rebuilt in its current location in 1793 after the original building collapsed due to rain. The building itself has been enlarged several times and remodeled, but its original thick adobe walls are still intact. The church is the hub of Old Town, the historic and sentimental heart of Albuquerque, with activity revolving around shopping and dining. To this day, special holidays and feast days are still commemorated as part of the year-round attractions of this "original" Albuquerque.

Albuquerque stands with one foot in the past, one foot in the present and both eyes on the future. Home to some of the nation's finest high-tech research facilities, Sandia National Laboratory, Phillips Laboratory, and the University of New Mexico, Albuquerque is leading the way in technology transfer. Civilian application of military technology has provided the spark for many an entrepreneur and led to a technological boom. Albuquerque continues to set the pace for success in the Southwest as a visitor destination and a great place to live. The city celebrated its Tercentennial (300th birthday) in 2006.

Source: Albuquerque Convention and Visitor’s Bureau website http://www.itsatrip.org