Fun Facts about Albuquerque

• At an elevation of 5314 feet above sea level, Albuquerque is the highest metropolitan city in the US.
• Sandia Peak Tramway runs from the base of the Sandia Mountains to their summit called Sandia Peak. It is the longest aerial tramway in North America spanning 2.7 miles.
• Sandia Peak’s elevation is 13,378 feet above sea level and offers panoramic view of more than 11,000 square miles.
• Over 2/3 of New Mexico’s land mass is government owned and protected.
• The University of New Mexico is widely recognized for it’s departments of Medicine, Law and Electrical Engineering.
• At Albuquerque’s Central New Mexico Community College students can receive a higher education in many computer based, medical based, business based and trade based occupations.
• Albuquerque is the home of Ben Abruzzo, Larry Newman and the late Maxie Anderson, the three pilots of the world famous “Double Eagle II” — the first manned balloon to cross the Atlantic.
• According to weather bureau records going back over 50 years, Albuquerque receives 77% of all available sunshine.
• Cochiti Dam and Reservoir located 45 miles northwest of Albuquerque is a wakeless lake offering wind sailing, fishing and other recreational facilities.
• Albuquerque is the home of racing greats, Bobby and Al Unser and Al Unser, Jr.
• Every October Albuquerque is host to the world class Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta in which over 800 hot air balloons participate.
• Two major interstate highways intersect at almost the center of the city. The intersection of I-25 and I-40 is locally known as “The Big I”.
• The University of New Mexico in Albuquerque educates more than 25,000 annually and boasts the most unusual architecture of any college campus in America, integrating traditional Pueblo as well as ultramodern design.
• Albuquerque is home to the Albuquerque Isotopes, our minor league baseball team. The Isotopes play in Albuquerque’s baseball stadium, Isotopes Park.
• Albuquerque has an excellent system of hospitals including: The Heart Hospital, Carrie Tingley Children’s Hospital, The Albuquerque Regional Medical Center, Lovelace Hospital, Presbyterian Hospital, The Regional Veterans Hospital, and The UNM Hospital/Medical Center.
• Albuquerque utilizes water conservation practices to preserve the city’s underground aquifer water supply.
• The largest lake in the state, Elephant Butte, is 150 miles south of Albuquerque. It has more than 240 miles of shoreline and provides boating, water skiing, marinas, fishing and other water sports to Albuquerque residents.
• Kirtland Air Force Base and Sandia National Laboratories are located on the SE side of town. Kirtland is the 6th largest Air Force Base in the US and Sandia Laboratories is famous for extensive research and development projects.
• Albuquerque has more than 172 city parks and a complete system of hiking and biking trails.
• The UNM Lobos athletic teams have been consistent leaders in college sports and draw a large following to their competitions in the University’s well designed facilities.