Albuquerque-Santa Fe, NM

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Albuquerque is the most populous city in New Mexico. The high-altitude city serves as the county seat of Bernalillo County, and it is situated in the central part of the state, straddling the Rio Grande. The city population was 557,169 as of 2014, and ranks as the 32nd-largest city in the U.S. Albuquerque is home to the University of New Mexico (UNM), Kirtland Air Force Base, Sandia National Laboratories, Lovelace Respiratory Research Institute, and Petroglyph National Monument. The Sandia Mountains run along the eastern side of Albuquerque, and the Rio Grande flows through the city. Albuquerque is also the home of the International Balloon Fiesta, a large gathering of balloons from around the world.

Santa Fe is the capital of New Mexico. It is the fourth-largest city in the state and is the seat of Santa Fe County. Founded by Spanish colonists in 1610, Santa Fe is known as the oldest state capital city in the United States and the oldest city in New Mexico. Santa Fe (meaning "holy faith" in Spanish) had a population of 69,204 in 2012.

The climate of Albuquerque and Santa Fe affects driving and traveling

Albuquerque has a cold desert climate. Albuquerque is in the northern tip of the Chihuahuan Desert, near the edge of the Colorado Plateau.The average annual precipitation is less than half of evaporation, and no month averages below freezing. Albuquerque's climate is usually sunny and dry, with an average of 3,415 sunshine hours per year. Brilliant sunshine defines the region, averaging 278 days a year; periods of variably mid and high-level cloudiness temper the sun at other times. Extended cloudiness is rare. The city has four distinct seasons, but the heat and cold are mild compared to the extremes that occur more commonly in other parts of the country.

Santa Fe experiences a semi-arid climate bordering on a Subtropical highland climate with chilly winters and hot summers. The 24-hour average temperature in the city ranges from 30.3 °F in December to 70.1 °F in July. The city usually receives 6 to 8 snowfalls a year between November and April. The heaviest rainfall occurs in July and August, with the arrival of the North American Monsoon.

Albuquerque and Santa Fe industries and major employers draw people into the city

Top industries in Albuquerque include aerospace and defense, energy technology including solar energy, and semicondcutor and computer chip manufacturing. Major employers in the Albuquerque area include Kirtland Air Force Base, Sandia National Laboratory and Intel Corp.

Santa Fe's economy has been based largely on tourism and state government. As capitol of New Mexico, the government is the largest employer in the area. Santa Fe receives an average of 1.6 million visitors annually. Tourism boosts the city's retail industry, which brings in more than $1 billion annually. Because of the city's proximity to Los Alamos National Laboratory, 45 miles away, scientific research has also become a factor.

Albuquerque's major roadways:

Two interstate highways pass through: I-40 goes east-west and I-25 goes north-south. Where they meet is a large intersection called "The Big I". Albuquerque's Central Ave. is part of old Route 66. Central Avenue is a principal east-west artery, running roughly parallel to I-40 and through Downtown just west of I-25 and past the University of New Mexico just east of I-25.

Santa Fe's major roadways:

New Mexico Route 599 is a state highway located entirely within Santa Fe County. New Mexico State Road 14 is a 54-mile-long (87 km) state road which connects Albuquerque to Santa Fe. Interstate 25 follows the north–south corridor through Albuquerque and Santa Fe.

Air and ground transportation in Albuquerque and Santa Fe help people travel smoothly and safely

Albuquerque is easily accessed through Albuquerque International Sunport, a public airport 3 miles southeast of downtown Albuquerque. It is the largest commercial airport in the state, handling 4,871,901 passengers in 2014. Albuquerque offers bus service through ABQ Ride.

Santa Fe Municipal Airport is ten miles southwest of Santa Fe, in Santa Fe County. Daily commercial flights are offered. The city of Santa Fe provides reliable bus service as well. Go to this link for schedule and fare information.

Find out about recent accidents in Albuquerque and Santa Fe, including:

After a serious accident, you may need information about the major regional hospitals

Albuquerque hospitals include Presbyterian Hospital, Lovelace Medical Center, and University of New Mexico Hospital.

Santa Fe hospitals include CHRISTUS St. Vincent Regional Medical Center.

After a serious or fatal crash, grief support services can help

When someone has been injured or killed in an accident, grief support services and counselors help those involved begin dealing with stress and loss. It can be comforting to talk with others going through a similar situation, and the road to recovering from the loss may go more smoothly. Learn more here about Albuquerque grief support and Santa Fe grief support services.

Albuquerque and Santa Fe legal information for accident victims

After someone has been injured or killed in a motor-vehicle crash in Albuquerque or Santa Fe, many decisions need to be made immediately and questions need to be answered. For example, how much of the medical costs will be covered by the insurance policy? How does PIP insurance help with medical bills immediately? What if the at-fault driver has no insurance?

Where to find legal assistance after an Albuquerque or Santa Fe injury accident

After a serious crash, it is crucial to get help from an experienced New Mexico personal injury attorney who understands the local regulations and legal standards, who knows how insurance policies work when an injured person is out-of-network, and who can handle all aspects of an insurance claim so the injured person can focus on recovery. If someone is killed in a collision, an Albuquerque - Santa Fe wrongful death lawyer will launch a claim that will begin the process of financial recovery for the family members left behind. Learn more here about what a New Mexico personal injury attorney can do to help.

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New Mexico