The US state of New Mexico is located within the southwest region of the nation. Usually the state of New Mexico is considered amongst the mountain states. The state of New Mexico has among the smallest populations of whatever state with a population density of 16 for each square mile.
Occupied by Native American populations for lots of centuries, it has likewise been part of the Imperial Spanish viceroyalty of New Spain, a US territory and part of Mexico. Among U.S. states, the state of New Mexico has the highest percentage of Hispanics, along with descendants of Spanish colonists and recent immigrants from Latin America. It also has the second-highest percentage of Native Americans, after Alaska, and the fifth-highest total number of Native Americans following the states of Oklahoma, California, Arizona and Texas. The tribes in New Mexico comprise mostly Pueblo and Navajo peoples. As a result, the culture and demographics of New Mexico are unique for their strong Hispanic and Native American influences. The flag of New Mexico is represented by the gold and red colors, that represent the Zia symbol, an ancient Native American symbol for the sun, and Spain.
The economy of the state is heavily dependent upon gas and oil production, federal government spending and tourism. State government has an elaborate system of technical assistance and tax credits to promote job growth and business investment, especially in new technologies.
During 2010, New Mexico's Gross Domestic Product was $79.7 billion. During the year 2007, the per capita personal income was $31,474, ranking New Mexico 43rd within the US. During the year 2005 the percentage of persons below the poverty level was 18.4%. The Tourism Department of New Mexico estimates that during Fiscal Year 2006 the travel business in the state of New Mexico generated expenditures of $6.5 billion. As of the month of August the year 2011, the unemployment rate of New Mexico was 6.6%.
New Mexico is the third leading crude oil and natural gas producer within the country. The Permian Basin (part of the Mid-Continent Oil Field) and San Juan Basin lie partially in New Mexico. During the year 2006 the state of New Mexico accounted for 3.4% of the crude oil, 8.5% of the dry natural gas, and 10.2% of the natural gas liquids produced within the nation. In 2000 the value of oil and gas produced was $8.2 billion.
The military provides many of the federal jobs within new Mexico, because there are three air force bases within New Mexico: Kirtland Air Force Base, Holloman Air Force Base, and Cannon Air Force Base. Also within New Mexico are the White Sands Missile Range, and Fort Bliss: McGregor Range, which is a proving ground and maneuver range. A May 2005 estimate by New Mexico State University is that 11.65% of New Mexico's total employment arises indirectly or directly from military spending. Other federal installations consist of the technology labs of Los Alamos National Laboratory and Sandia National Laboratories.