New Mexico is the "Land of Enchantment", blessed by fertile plains in the east, the beginnings of the Rocky Mountains in the center and high plateaus in the west. 85% of the state is over 4,000 feet above sea level. The 47th state to join the union on January 6, 1912, the region was first explored in 1539 by franciscan Marcos de Niza and his black slave Estevan. The first settlers arrived to San Juan Pueblo in 1598 and Santa Fe in 1610. The early settlers fought often with the indian nations of the Apaches, Comanches and Navajos. By 1821, trade was initiated along what was called the Santa Fe Trail to Missouri. During the Mexican War, General Stephen Kearny took Santa Fe. In the 1870s settlers staged the famous Lincoln Country War in which Billy (the Kid) Bonney played a leading role. Pancho Villa raided Columbus in 1916. Several famous attractions include: the Carlsbad Caverns, White Sands National Monument, Chaco Canyon, Acoma; the sky city built atop a 357-ft. mesa, ghost towns, dude ranches, skiing, hunting and fishing. Famous New Mexicans include: Billy (the kid) Bonney, Kit Carson, Georgia O'Keefe and Lew Wallace. @
