•What is the climate like in Albuquerque?
Despite Albuquerque's southern latitude (35°), the city's high altitude results in a mild, dry climate with four definite changes of season. Summer high temperatures average 90.4° F.(32.4° C.); average annual relative humidity is 43.5%. Albuquerque averages 304 days of sunshine each year. Albuquerque also averages 54 hours of dusty weather per year. Natural disasters are nearly non-existent in the metro area.

•Does it ever rain or snow in Albuquerque?
Yes! The metro area averages 8.88 inches of rain a year. Roughly 50% of the total annual pre-cipitation occurs from June through September. On those rare occasions when snow does fall in the city (around 4.2 days a year & 11" total), it melts quickly.

•What should I wear when coming to Albuquerque?
Southwestern informality prevails, but business and theatrical events offer opportunities to dress more formally. Sweaters are advisable in higher altitudes during Albuquerque’s warmer season. In the winter, days can be balmy, but nights can be cold — requiring jackets.

•Where are Albuquerque’s Visitor Information Centers located?
Stop by one of the following Albuquerque Convention & Visitors Bureau information centers for a variety of visitor information materials, including calendars of events and brochures describing local and out-of-town driving tours.

•Airport Information Center In the lower level of the Albuquerque
...International Sun port in the baggage claim area.
• Downtown Information Center Located in the Albuquerque
.. Convention Center’s East Complex. 401 2nd St. NW 87102, toll-free 800-284-2282.
• Old Town Information Center Plaza Don Luis on Romero NW, across from the San Felipe de Neri church.

•What airlines fly into Albuquerque?
Airlines that serve Albuquerque include: America West, American, Continental, Delta, Frontier, Mesa, Northwest, Rio Grande Air, Southwest and United. There are non-stop flights to and from 28 major cities in the United States. Over148 flights arrive daily at Albuquerque International Sunport. South-west Airlines is the city's largest carrier, handling slightly more than 50% of the airport's6.1 million passengers

•Where can I find a free map of Albuquerque?
Visit http://www.itsatrip.org/abqinfo/maps to access one of the following free Albuquerque maps: City map, dining maps, convention center, Albuquerque airport and regional maps.

•What are the speed limits in Albuquerque?
Speed limits vary; obey posted signs. For more information, contact the Albuquerque Police Department at (505) 768-2020. www.cabq.gov/police/index.html.

•How far away are Santa Fe and Taos?
Santa Fe is 59 miles away, which is about a 60 minute drive and Taos is 129 miles away, a 2-hour drive.

•What about gratuities?
A gratuity is not usually added to your bill. Wait staff generally receive 15% or 20 % – more if service is exceptional.

•What about sales tax?
Instead of sales tax, New Mexico leaves a gross receipts tax on goods and service providers (which is passed on to the buyer). In Albuquerque, this tax is 6.75%. There is no tax on most food items purchased in a grocery store.

•How do I get a fishing or hunting license?
Contact the New Mexico department of Game & Fish at1-800-862-9310, 1-800-ASK-FISH or (505) 841-8881.

•Where can I board my horse?
Horses can be boarded at EXPO New Mexico: Home of the State Fairgrounds. For more information call (505) 265-1791 or visit www.exponm.com.

•What are the New Mexico alcoholic beverages laws?
New Mexico State law prohibits anyone younger than 21 years of age from purchasing, serving or consuming alcoholic beverages. Bars and lounges close at 2 am. Minors are not permitted inside lounges. Establishments with beer and wine licenses can only serve these alcoholic beverages accompanied by food. There is no alcohol service on election days.

•What are the safety restraint laws?
All adults in the vehicle are required to wear a seatbelt. Children under 1 year old must be in a rear-facing restraint seat in the back seat of the car. Children ages 1-5 AND under40 lbs. must be in a child restraint seat. In Rio Rancho, all children under 12 must be in the back seat.

•What is the median age of Albuquerque's population?
The Greater Metropolitan Albuquerque area has a population of about 758,527 people with a median age of 32-33 years.

•How many square miles does Albuquerque cover?
The City of Albuquerque is 187 square miles, the greater Albuquerque area is approximately 400 square miles.

•Why is Albuquerque nicknamed the Duke City?
In memory of the Duke of Albuquerque, the city is affectionately called the “Duke City.” There is still a Duke of Albuquerque residing in Spain.

•What does ‘Albuquerque’ mean?
The word Albuquerque comes from the Latin words “albus” and “quercus”, meaning “white oak”. The first “r” in the city’s name was discarded over time. The original town of Alburquerque (notice the different spelling) is in western Spain near Portugal and has a population of about 8,000.

How did the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta® begin?
In 1972, a small group of balloonists launched 13 balloons from the parking lot of Coronado Center. Today the Balloon Fiesta has become the largest balloon event in the world hosting hundreds of pilots and balloons at its own Balloon Fiesta Park just off I-25north. Some of the special events are the Gordon Bennett Cup,a gas balloon race, daily mass ascensions, Balloon Glows, Night Magic, Special Shape Rodeo and Special Shapes Glowdeo with more than 100 uniquely shaped balloons participating. It has been said that the Balloon Fiesta is the most photographed event in the world. For more information on the Albuquerque Inter-national Balloon Fiesta visit, www.balloonfiesta.com.

• What is the significance of the Zia Sun Symbol?
New Mexico’s insignia is the Zia Sun Symbol, which originated with the Indians of Zia Pueblo. Its design reflects their tribal philosophy, with its wealth of pantheistic spiritualism teaching the basic harmony of all things in the universe. Four is the sacred number of Zia and the figure is com-posed of a circle from which four points radiate. These points are made up of four straight lines of varying length and personify the number used most often by the giver of all good gifts. To the Zia Indian the sacred number is embodied in the earth with its four main directions; in the year with its four seasons; in the day with sunrise, noon, evening and night; in life with its four divisions; childhood, youth, adult-hood and old age. Everything is bound together in a circle of life and love without beginning, without end.

•When did New Mexico become a state?
New Mexico officially became part of the United States in 1912 as the 47th state. But the state’s and city’s history is much older. In fact, Albuquerque will be celebrating its Tri centennial from April 2005 through April 2006. Albuquerque is one of only thirty U.S. cities which is able to claim a tri centennial mark. For more information email media@itsatrip.org.