ABOUT THE CITY
Albuquerque is the largest desert city nestled up against the Sandia Mountains. Also one of the oldest cities in West, Albuquerque has provided a home for humans in the Rio Grande Valley for many centuries and is rich with history and culture.
Nowhere is the confluence of past and present more dramatic than here in Albuquerque, where the modern city skyline is set against a backdrop of the ancient Sandia Mountains and an endless, timeless blue sky. Spectacular weather, with 310 days of sunshine, makes Albuquerque an ideal destination for many outdoor activities year round.
You won’t want to miss the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta. It is an annual October festival. Balloonists from around the world gather for nine days of spectacular ballooning. Thousands of spectators come to see the Albuquerque sky painted with hundreds of colorful balloons against the Sandia Mountains.
About Albuquerque
Albuquerque is the largest city in the state of New Mexico. It is the county seat of Bernalillo County, and is situated in the central part of the state, straddling the Rio Grande. The metropolitan area has a population over 700,000 and includes the city of Rio Rancho, one of the fastest growing cities in the United States.
Albuquerque is a city of diversity, with geographic and historic circumstances that brought Native American, Hispanic and Anglo cultures together to create a unique multicultural community.
Quadrants
Albuquerque is geographically divided into four quadrants which are officially part of the mailing address. They are NE (northeast), NW (northwest), SE (southeast), and SW (southwest). The north-south dividing line is Central Avenue (the path that Route 66 took through the city) and the east-west dividing line is the BNSF Railway tracks. Although this is technically the division of the city, in casual conversation locals use the perpendicular interstates I-25 and I-40 to divide the city into quadrants.
Climate
| Month | Avg Hi | Avg Lo | Avg Precip |
| Jan | 48°F | 24°F | 0.49 in. |
| Feb | 55°F | 28°F | 0.44 in. |
| Mar | 62°F | 34°F | 0.61 in. |
| Apr | 71°F | 41°F | 0.50 in. |
| May | 80°F | 50°F | 0.60 in. |
| Jun | 90°F | 59°F | 0.65 in. |
| Jul | 92°F | 65°F | 1.27 in. |
| Aug | 89°F | 63°F | 1.73 in. |
| Sep | 82°F | 56°F | 1.07 in. |
| Oct | 71°F | 44°F | 1.00 in. |
| Nov | 57°F | 32°F | 0.62 in. |
| Dec | 48°F | 24°F | 0.49 in. |
By Car
Albuquerque is an easy city to get around. The city is divided into quadrants. Central Avenue runs east-west, and is the dividing line between the northern and southern quadrants. The railroad tracks that run along I-25 go north-south, and divide between the eastern and western quadrants. So an address that is in the NE quadrant is to the north of Central Avenue, and to the east of the tracks. The mountains are to the east, and the Rio Grande River is to the south.
Traffic isn’t terrible, but you should still avoid rush hour if you can help it. Construction projects are updates on the city’s website (www.cabq.gov). Downtown is just southwest of the intersection of I-25 and I-40.
I-25 runs south to El Paso, TX and north to Denver and Colorado Springs. I-40 goes west to Flagstaff, AZ and east to Amarillo and Oklahoma City.
It’s important to remember that it’s illegal to talk on your cell phone will driving in Albuquerque.
License & Registration
Motor Vehicle Division
www.tax.state.nm.us/mvd
The Motor Vehicle Division’s website has all of the forms and information you need to register your car and get your license.
Public Transportation
ABQ Ride
(505) 243-7433
www.cabq.gov/transit
ABQ Ride is the name of the public transportation system in Albuquerque. It’s not very well developed, but if you need to travel around Central Avenue, it will do the trick. Standard fare is $1. The main hub is the Alvarado Transportation center, which is located at Central Ave and First St.
New Mexico Rail Runner
(505) 245-7245
www.nmrailrunner.com
The rail runner is a new commuter line that connects Albuquerque to it’s suburbs north and south. The line will extend to Santa Fe in 2009. Right now, it only runs on weekdays during peak commuting times, or for special events.
Air Transportation
Albuquerque International Sunport
2200 Sunport Blvd. SE
Albuquerque, New Mexico 87106
(505) 244-7700
www.cabq.gov/airport
Albuquerque International has service from all major airlines. Southwest uses it as one of its main hubs.
Cell Phone Waiting Area
The Albuquerque International Sunport has recently completed construction of a free “Cell Phone Waiting Area” for use by the general public. This will allow drivers at the airport to park in the lot and wait for a call from their arriving passenger before driving to the front of the terminal for pickup.
Car Rentals
Advantage
(800)777-5500
www.arac.com
Alamo
(800) 462-5266
www.alamo.com
Avis
(800) 331-1212
Budget
(800) 527-0700
Local Phone Numbers
Area Code(s)
| Area Code | 505 |
| Emergency | 911 |
| Albuquerque Animal Emergency Clinic: | 884-3433 |
| Ambulance: | 761-8200 |
| Emergency Road Service AAA: | (800) AAA-HELP |
| Poison Control Center: 272-2222 | |
| Police, Fire, Ambulance or Rescue Units: | 911 |
| Police Non-Emergency Dispatch: | 242-COPS |
| 242-2677 | |
| Sheriff: | 798-7000 |
| State Police: | 841-9256 |
| Utilities | |
| Cable | |
| Comcast | (505) 344-0690 |
| 4611 Montbel Pl NE | |
| Albuquerque NM 87107 | |
| www.comcast.com |
| Gas/Electric | |
| PNM | (505) 246-5700 |
| Alvarado Square | |
| Albuquerque, N.M., 87158-0001 | |
| www.pnm.com | |
| Phone | |
| Qwest | (800) 491-0118 |
| www.qwest.com | |
| Water | |
| City of Albuquerque | (800) 687-7854 |
| www.cabq.gov | (505)768-2800 |
| Hospitals | |
| Lovelace Sandia Health Systems Hotline: | (800) 366-3401 |
| Presbyterian Healthcare Services: | 841-1234 |
| Albuquerque Regional Medical Center: | (800) 528-8888 |
| 727-8000 | |
| State Visitor Information Center | |
| www.newmexico.org |
Television
| 2 | KASA | FOX |
| 4 | KOB | NBC |
| 5 | KNME | PBS |
| 7 | KOAT | ABC |
| 9 | KNMD-DT | PBS |
| 10 | KCHF-DT | rlg. |
| 11 | KCHF | rlg. |
| 13 | KRQE | CBS |
| 14 | KTFQ | Telefutura |
| 16 | KRQE-DT | CBS |
| 17 | KAZQ-DT | INSP |
| 19 | KWBQ | CW |
| 21 | KOAT-DT | ABC |
| 23 | KNAT | TBN |
| 24 | KNAT-DT | TBN |
| 25 | KQDF-LP | Azteca America |
| 26 | KOB-DT | NBC |
| 27 | KASA-DT | FOX |
| 29 | KWBQ-DT | CW |
| 30 | KYNM-LP | videos |
| 32 | KAZQ | INSP |
| 35 | KNME-DT | PBS |
| 36 | KTVS-LP | videos-Sp. |
| 41 | KLUZ | UNI |
| 42 | KLUZ-DT | UNI |
| 43 | K43HW | HSN |
| 45 | KASY-DT | MyTV |
| 48 | KTFA-LP | HSN |
| 50 | KASY | MyTV |
| 53 | KTEL-LP | TEL |
Radio
| AM Stations | ||
| 610 | KNML | sports |
| 730 | KDAZ | religious |
| 770 | KKOB | news/talk |
| 860 | KARS | classic country |
| 920 | KSVA | talk-religious |
| 1000 | KKIM | talk-religious |
| 1050 | KTBL | talk-business/personalities |
| 1150 | KDEF | sports |
| 1190 | KXKS | religious |
| 1240 | KALY | childrens |
| 1310 | KKNS | sports |
| 1350 | KABQ | progressive |
| 1450 | KRZY | news/talk-español |
| 1550 | KKJY | standards |
| 1600 | KRKE | oldies |
| FM Stations | ||
| 88.3 | KLYT | Christian rock |
| 89.1 | KANW | community |
| 89.9 | KUNM | NPR |
| 91.5 | KFLQ | religious |
| 92.3 | KRST | country |
| 93.3 | KKOB | CHR-pop |
| 94.1 | KZRR | active rock |
| 96.3 | KBZU | classic rock |
| 97.3 | KKSS | CHR-rhythmic |
| 97.7 | KLVO | regional Mexican |
| 98.5 | KABG | oldies |
| 99.5 | KMGA | ac |
| 100.3 | KPEK | modern ac |
| 101.3 | KJFA | regional Mexican |
| 101.7 | KQBT | oldies |
| 102.5 | KIOT | classic hits |
| 103.3 | KDRF | adult hits |
| 104.1 | KABQ | smooth jazz |
| 104.7 | KTEG | modern rock |
| 107.9 | KBQI | country |
Newspapers
Albuquerque Journal
7777 Jefferson Street NE
Albuquerque, N.M., 87109
(505) 823-4400
www.abqjournal.com
The largest newspaper in New Mexico
The Albuquerque Tribune
7777 Jefferson NE
Albuquerque, NM 87103
(505)823-7777
www.abqtrib.com
A local paper focusing on the Albuquerque metropolitan area
Sports
Albuquerque Isotopes
1601 Avenida Cesar Chavez SE
Albuquerque, NM 87106
(505)924-2255
Triple A baseball in the Pacific Coast League. The ‘Topes are part of the Florida Marlins system.
Albuquerque Thunderbirds
111 Lomas NE, Suite 240
Albuquerque, NM 87102
(505) 265-DUNK (3865)
The Thunderbirds are part of the NBA Developmental league. They’re part of the system for the Phoenix Suns and the Philadelphia 76ers.
Attractions
Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta
4401 Alameda N.E.
Albuquerque, NM 87113
(505)821-1000
(888)422-7277
Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta has grown to become the largest balloon event in the world. Held each year during the first weeks in October, the Balloon Fiesta hosts hundreds of balloons and over 1,000 pilots in nine days. Balloon Fiesta Park is 54 football fields, all put together. The BalloonFiesta Park’s 78-acre launch field is located north of Alameda Boulevard, one mile west of I-25.
Indian Pueblo Cultural Center
2401 12th Street NW
Albuquerque, New Mexico 87104
(505) 843-7270
Nowhere are so many pueblos accessible to the public than in the Albuquerque area. New Mexico is home to nineteen Indian Pueblos and three reservations. It’s a living historical experience.
Parks
New Mexico Ballet Company
PO Box 21518
Albuquerque, NM 87154-1518
(505)292-4245
www.nmballet.org
New Mexico Symphony Orchestra
4407 Menaul Blvd. NE
Albuquerque, NM 87190-0208
(505) 881-9590
www.nmso.org
Shopping
Coronado Center
6600 Menaul NE, Ste #1
Albuquerque, NM 87110
(505) 881-4600
The biggest mall in New Mexico.
Cottonwood Mall
10000 Coors Bypass NW
Albuquerque, NM 87114
(505) 899-7467
A big mall full of traditional retailers.
Museums
Albuquerque Museum of Art and History
2000 Mountain Rd NW
Albuquerque, NM 87104
(505) 243-7255
Just what the name says, the museum has plenty of traveling and permanent exhibits. It also has a garden and museum store.
Lodestar Astronomy Center
1801 Mountain Rd NW
Albuquerque, NM 87104-1375
(505) 841-5955
A neat museum that focuses on space travel and exploration. It has a virtual exploration exhibit.
Education
Albuquerque Public Schools
6400 Uptown Blvd., NE
Albuquerque, NM 87110
(505) 880-3700
APS system serves over 87,000 students. Because of its size, APS is divided into a cluster system based on the eleven high schools throughout the district and the elementary and middle schools that feed into them. A twelfth cluster includes ten alternative schools. This management approach allows those “clusters” of schools to focus on student achievement through programs specific to the cluster as well as coordinated professional development that is consistent from kindergarten through high school.
Community Colleges
Community colleges exist for two major purposes. The first is to serve as a bridge from high school to college by providing courses for transfer toward a bachelor’s degree. Four out of 10 collegebound high-school graduates start their college education this way.
The second function of community colleges is to prepare students for the job market by offering entry-level career training as well as courses for adult students who want to upgrade their skills for the workplace. They often offer programs that are not available at four-year schools, like fashion design.
Liberal Arts Colleges
Liberal arts colleges offer a broad base of courses in the humanities, social sciences, and sciences. Most are private and focus mainly on undergraduate students. Classes tend to be small and personal attention is available.
Online Learning
Recent years have witnessed the rise of online degree programs, to allow the busy professional a chance to work at their own pace from the comfort of their home on the path to getting a degree. The costs to students are typically the same as for traditional classes— and financial aid is equally available—while the cost to the institution can be much less.
There are online universities ranging from legitimate distance learning systems to fly-by-night degree-mills. It’s important to research a particular institution before deciding to enroll in their system. Generally, brick-and-mortar schools that also offer online classes are the safest, though there are plenty of fully accredited online universities out there.
Nearly 3 million students are believed to be taking online classes at institutions of higher education in the United States this year. That number has been growing about 25% a year recently. Now, virtually all public higher education institutions, as well as a vast majority of private, for-profit institutions, now offer online classes. By contrast, only about half of private, nonprofit schools offer them. Online schools offer everything from Associate’s degrees to Doctoral programs with available emphases in everything from Business Administration to Criminal Justice to Nursing. Some programs require students to attend some campus classes or orientations, but many are delivered completely online. Online courses generally require a computer with a broadband connection, but are now a serious option for the busy professional.
Public vs. Private
Public colleges are usually less expensive, particularly for in-state residents. They get most of their money from the state or local government. Private colleges rely on tuition, fees, endowments, and other private sources. Private colleges are usually smaller and can offer more personalized attention and often more prestige.
Universities
Generally, a university is bigger than a college and offers more majors and research facilities. Class size often reflects institutional size and some classes may taught by graduate students.
Upper Division
Upper-division schools offer the last two years of undergraduate study, usually in specialized programs leading to a bachelor’s degree. Students then generally transfer to an upper-division college after completing an associate degree or after finishing a second year of study at a four-year college.
Higher Education
The University of New Mexico
Albuquerque, NM 8713
(505) 277-0111
www.unm.edu
Founded in 1889, the University of New Mexico now occupies 600 acres along old Route 66 in the heart of Albuquerque and serves more than 26,000 students.
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