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|date=January 6, 1912 (47th)

|date=January 6, 1912 (47th)

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'''New Mexico''' became 47th state to join the union on January 6, 1912. It is the fifth largest of the [[United States]], with a total land area of 121,412 square miles.<ref> http://www.newmexico.gov/</ref> New Mexico has the largest [[Hispanic]] population, and second largest [[Native American]] population, percentage-wise, of any US State. The State has a bold history and colorful culture, the official state question is "red or green?" in reference to the State's unique [[Chile (Capsicum)|chile pepper]]. Politically the State is very much as Independent swing state that usually votes for incumbents and, much like West Texas, the state also leans towards  [[Libertarian]] political stances especially in Central and Western New Mexico. The capital of the state is [[Santa Fe]], and its largest city is [[Albuquerque]].

'''New Mexico''', the colony and territory of '''Santa Fe de Nuevo México''' from 1598-1912 was a Mexican territory from 1821-1848 and an American territory from 1848-1912, became the 47th state to join the union on January 6, 1912. It is the fifth largest of the [[United States]], with a total land area of 121,412 square miles.<ref> http://www.newmexico.gov/</ref> New Mexico has the largest [[Hispanic]] population, and second largest [[Native American]] population, percentage-wise, of any US State. The State has a bold history and colorful culture, the official state question is "red or green?" in reference to the State's unique [[Chile (Capsicum)|chile pepper]]. Politically the State is very much as Independent swing state that usually votes for incumbents and, much like West Texas, the state also leans towards  [[Libertarian]] political stances especially in Central and Western New Mexico. The capital of the state is [[Santa Fe]], and its largest city is [[Albuquerque]].

Despite popular opinion, New Mexico's name originates from long before it was a territory of Mexico or the United States. New Mexico was named by Spanish explorers who mistook the advanced Pueblo natives as being related to the Mexica ([[Aztecs]]). The full name of the colony, as well as the Mexican and American territories, was Santa Fe de Nuevo México (Holy Faith of New Mexico).

Despite popular opinion, New Mexico's name originates from long before it was a territory of Mexico or the United States. New Mexico was named by Spanish explorers who mistook the advanced Pueblo natives as being related to the Mexica ([[Aztecs]]). The full name of the colony, as well as the Mexican and American territories, was Santa Fe de Nuevo México (Holy Faith of New Mexico).