New Mexico's capital city, Sante Fe, which is home to about 70,000 residents, has a rich and storied history, cultural diversity, and beautiful surroundings that can be seen from its high altitude.
Here are five facts about Sante Fe:
1. Santa Fe tops the other 50 state capitals in height, sitting 7,000 feet above sea level.
According to SantaFe.org, the official travel site for the city, the "air is rarefied, thinner. It usually takes about 48 hours to adjust and staying hydrated helps." Keep in mind that one alcoholic drink consumed here is equal to three in lower-altitude cities.
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2. Built in 1610, The Palace of the Governors is America's oldest continuously occupied public building, making it one of the nation's oldest landmarks. Recently, the National Trust for Historical Preservation deemed the building a national treasure,
according to The New York Times.
3. Santa Fe's full name is "La Villa Real de la Santa Fe de San Francisco de Asis"” which translates to "The Royal City of the Holy Faith of Saint Francis of Assisi." Don Pedro de Prealta bestowed this name upon it. The phrase Santa Fe translates to "holy city," but it also goes by another nickname, The City Different, for its unique collection of historic, natural, and robust culture.
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4. Founded in 1608, Santa Fe is America's oldest state capitol and was made the capital of the entire territory in 1610. Only two older surviving cities, both in Florida, exist: Pensacola, which was founded in 1559, and Saint Augustine, founded in 1565.
5. A half-mile stretch of Santa Fe's Canyon Road has over 100 galleries, boutiques and restaurants "making it the world's densest concentration of art galleries,"
according to the Four Seasons website. This strip is also home to several annual events, such as the ARTfeast Art of Living, Passport to the Arts, and Christmas Eve Farolito Walk.
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