The city of Santa Fe is the capital city of the State of New Mexico within the United States and is the 4th biggest city within the state. Also, it is the seat of Santa Fe County. The name Santa Fe translates literally in Spanish to mean "holy faith." Santa Fe's complete name when it was founded was "The Royal Town of the Holy Faith of St. Francis of Assisi" or "La Villa Real de la Santa Fe de San Francisco de Asis."
During 2010, the census reported that the population of the city was around 67,947. The city constitutes the main city of the Santa Fe, New Mexico Metropolitan Statistical Area. This region accounts for all of Santa Fe County and is additionally part of the larger Santa Fe-Espanola Combined Statistical Area.
The city of Santa Fe was initially occupied between the year 1050 and the year 1150 by several different Pueblo Indian villages. One of the earliest settlements within the present area of downtown Santa Fe was founded sometime after 900 C.E. A Native American group fashioned a cluster of homes that spread for half a mile towards the south and towards the west. The village was known as Ogapoge and the houses were centered on the location of the current Plaza. The Santa Fe River attracted inhabitants as it provided water to those who were living there.
Until the 1700s, the Santa Fe River was a year round stream, these days; it is considered a seasonal waterway. In the year 2007, according to the conservation group known as American Rivers, the Santa Fe River was recognized as the country's most endangered river.
In 1943, the town of Santa Fe served as the gateway to LANL or Los Alamos National Laboratory, which is a 45 minute drive from the city and since then, the City of Santa Fe has been associated with technology and science. The Santa Fe Institute or also referred to as SFI was established during the year 1984 so as to research complex systems in biological, physical, and economic and political sciences. The City of Santa Fe hosts such Nobel laureates as Murray Gell-Mann and Philip Warren Anderson, both for physics and Kenneth Arrow for economics. During the year 1994, the NCGR or also referred to as National Center for Genome Resources was established to focus on research with bioscience, mathematics and bioscience.
Some of the main economic factors within the City of Santa Fe include tourism and the State government. The City of Santa Fe draws a lot of tourists each year due to the year-round weather conditions and the many outdoor activities. There are many locations to enjoy hiking and lots of skiing during the years of enough snow. Santa Fe is also home to numerous cultural activities. The visitor bureau and the chamber of commerce both provide tourist information.
Most of the tourist activity occurs predominantly in Plaza and the historic downtown locations. The Plaza consists of a one block square and is next to the Palace of the Governors. This is the original seat of New Mexico's territorial government ever since the time of the Spanish migration. The Santa Fe International Folk Art Market happens every year during the 2nd full weekend of July at an attraction area called "Museum Hill," that is the site of various art museums in the City of Santa Fe. Another popular attraction area for both visitors and locals alike is the Canyon Road Arts area. It is home to many galleries.