New Mexico is a state situated within the southwest and western regions of the United States. The state of New Mexico is likewise often considered amongst the Mountain States. With a population density of 16 for each square mile, New Mexico is the sixth-most sparsely inhabited U.S. state.
Occupied by Native American populations for many centuries, it has likewise been part of the Imperial Spanish viceroyalty of New Spain, a US territory and part of Mexico. Amongst U.S. states, the state of New Mexico has the highest percentage of Hispanics, along with recent immigrants from Latin America and Descendants of Spanish colonists. It also has the second-highest percentage of Native Americans, following the state of Alaska, and the fifth-highest total number of Native Americans following Oklahoma, California, Texas and Arizona. The tribes in the state comprise mostly Navajo and Pueblo peoples. As a result, the culture and demographics of New Mexico are unique for their strong Native American and Hispanic influences. New Mexico's flag is represented by the red and gold colors, that represent Spain as well as the Zia symbol, an ancient native American symbol for fun.
Gas and oil production, tourism, and federal government spending are important drivers of the economy of the state. State government has an elaborate system of technical assistance and tax credits to promote business investment and job growth, particularly in new technologies.
During 2010, New Mexico's Gross Domestic Product was $79.7 billion. During 2007, the per capita personal income was $31,474, ranking New Mexico 43rd in the US. In the year 2005 the percentage of persons below the poverty level was 18.4%. The New Mexico Tourism Department estimates that during Fiscal Year 2006 the travel business within the state of New Mexico generated expenditures of $6.5 billion. As of August the year 2011, New Mexico's unemployment rate was 6.6%.
New Mexico is the third leading natural gas and crude oil producer within the nation. The San Juan Basin and the Permian Basin (part of the Mid-Continent Oil Field) lie partly in the state of New Mexico. In the year 2006 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 in the United States. In the year 2000 the value of gas and oil produced was $8.2 billion.
A lot of the federal jobs relate to the military; the state hosts three air force bases: Holloman Air Force Base, Cannon Air Force Base and Kirtland Air Force Base; a testing range called White Sands Missile Range; and an army proving ground and maneuver range at Fort Bliss - McGregor Range. A May 2005 estimate by New Mexico State University is that 11.65% of the state's total employment arises directly or indirectly from military spending. Other federal installations consist of the technology labs of Los Alamos National Laboratory and Sandia National Laboratories.