Santa Fe

Santa Fe (literally, "Holy Faith"), officially the City of Santa Fe with the slogan The City Different, is the capital of the state of New Mexico, located in the American Southwest.^[1] Santa Fe is known best as the oldest capital city in the United States, the oldest city west of the Mississippi River and, when its pre-existing Pueblo village is considered, perhaps the oldest city in North America. The city's economy is supported by its many arts and cultural venues, the location of New Mexico's state government, and tourism.

Santa Fe is the location of the miraculous Loretto spiral staircase, a spectacular helix that has been featured in Unsolved Mysteries, a movie and multiple books.

The population of Santa Fe is 67,947 inhabitants, with 144,170 in its metropolitan area. The city has a large population of primarily Whites and Hispanics, and a larger than average amount of Native Americans. The Pueblo Indians are indigenous to the area, and other local Native American groups include the Comanche, Apache and Navajo. There is also a sizable population of African, Asian, and multiracial individuals.

The first Spanish settlers arrived in 1607, naming the town La Villa Real de la Santa Fe de San Francisco de Asís. The town was surrounded by other towns, like the town of Española, and even including several Pueblos such as the San Ildefonso Pueblo and the Nambé Pueblo. Don Juan de Oñate first started the colony in 1598, but the second governor of New Mexico Don Pedro de Peralta moved the colony to the base of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains in 1607, the colony became a formal town in 1610.^[2][3]

The Mayor is appointed to a 4-year term of service. The City Council is comprised of eight elected members, two from each district, and is the primary legislative authority of the city, with the power to adopt ordinances, resolutions, and other city legislation.^[4] The current mayor is Democrat Javier Gonzales.

Santa Fe is historically considered a liberal city, the rest of the State is composed of conservative towns and "swing cities" which sway from Democratic and Republican votes. However, Santa Fe's city's denizens have libertarian political stances while leaning Democratic.^[5]

Santa Fe is home to several art galleries and other cultural venues. The primary architectures of the city reflects its well known "Santa Fe style" architecture; consisting of a blend of Spanish Mission architecture, Pueblo Revival architecture, the Mexican and American Territorial Revival architecture, alongside Spanish, Native American, Western, Mexican, and American decorative styles.^[6] Numerous American artists, writers, and other creatives have called Santa Fe and/or its metropolitan area home, including; Georgia O'Keeffe, D. H. Lawrence, George R.R. Martin, among others.

Santa Fe usually has a dry, desert climate, with sunny weather, but winter months can bring cold weather and snow. The city's elevation is 7,000 feet above sea level, and covers 35 square miles in a valley near the Rio Grande river. The city sits at the southern base of the Rocky Mountains and is located between two Mountain ranges: the Sangre de Cristo Mountains to the east and the Jemez Mountains to the west.^[7]

The closest International Airport is Albuquerque International Sunport, located in the city of Albuquerque, New Mexico. Santa Fe has a small municipal Airport with commercial flights from Denver, Colorado.^[8]

• Albuquerque