Santa Fe, New Mexico is a city with a stunning natural environment and complex cultural history that make it a unique and vibrant place to live and visit. Situated in the high desert region of northern New Mexico in the United States, the city is bordered by the beautiful Sangre de Cristo Mountains to the east. The city’s elevation of over 7,000 feet gives it a cool, dry climate with four distinct seasons, making it a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts and nature lovers.
Santa Fe has 89,000 residents living in a 52.2 square mile area in the southwestern United States. Ninety-two percent are high school graduates or higher, 13.5 percent live below the poverty line, and the median age is 45.9 years.
Santa Fe is a vital center of the arts and honored to be a member of the UNESCO Creative Cities Network. Multiple research studies find Santa Fe to be one of the most creative small cities in America. The depth of creativity that makes Santa Fe stand out among U.S. cities is the result of a history that started thousands of years ago with Native Americans living in the region. Spanish Colonial settlers brought other cultural traditions when they established the city in the early 17th century. The 20th century saw an influx of Anglo people and later other cultures. The city became known for the arts, which resulted in today’s unusually large numbers of artists, writers, and makers.
The arts and cultural industries are a principal engine of Santa Fe’s economy, creating jobs, attracting capital, generating taxes and enhancing the quality of life of the community. The lively scene includes 150 or more art galleries, more than 12 museums, major outdoor markets occurring in the warmer months, and a remarkable amount of music presented in beautiful indoor and outdoor venues.
Santa Fe is the capital of New Mexico and home to state government offices, which provide a stable source of employment and economic activity for the city. The city’s arts and culture, history, and outdoor recreation draw over two million visitors annually from around the world.
