Santa Fe: The City Different

Santa Fe is the capital of the state, both politically and culturally. Its renowned art, culture, and fashion industries are only some of the plants in Santa Fe's economic garden: biomedical technology, software development, film production, and publishing companies also blossom here. The city preserves the values of the past while meeting the challenges of the future.

In 2005 Santa Fe ranked 92nd in size out of 361 Metropolitan Standard Areas (MSAs), rising slightly from its 2002 ranking of 84th out of 318 Metropolitan Standard Areas (top 25th percentile vs. top 26th percentile). Santa Fe ranks 4th favorite travel destinations in the U.S. and Canada by Travel and Leisure magazine. Cities were ranked based on 6 criteria: sights, culture/arts, restaurants/food, people, shopping and value.

Santa Fe's rich history of commerce began when Santa Fe, part of the empire of New Spain, became the commercial hub at the north end of El Camino Real (The Royal Road, which ran to Mexico City). In 1821 the Santa Fe Trail opened for adventure and commerce, connecting Native American, Spanish, Mexican, and Western cultures as settlers and traders arrived from Missouri and farther east.

Santa Fe at a Glance