Albuquerque Academy is a grade 6 through 12 independent college preparatory school in Albuquerque, New Mexico. We have a diverse student body - with students of many ethnic backgrounds, which reflects the cultural diversity of New Mexico itself. New Mexico is rich in the Hispanic heritage of the southwestern US, with many traditions dating back to the original settlers. The oldest Spanish settlements date back into the 1500's, but Native Americans were here in well established settlements - called Pueblos when the Spanish arrived. These settlements date back to pre 1000 A. D. The descendants of both Hispanic and Native American origin, keep many of the customs of their ancestors alive. In addition, New Mexico has a rich Anglo heritage. Modern New Mexico has more Ph.D's per capata than any other state - with two government research facilities (Sandia Labs and Los Alamos), their contractors, and the large Intel facility (computer chip manufacuturing), as well as the University of New Mexico, New Mexico State, New Mexico Tech, the U.S.Geological Survey offices, etc.) Our climate is mild most of the time, but winters can be cold - some places in the state drop to -30 degrees F., summers hot - it can get up to 110 degrees F., springs windy - gusts of 60 mph are not uncommon on some spring afternoons, and autumns beautiful. You might say our weather is as diverse as our people. Land elevations range from about 4000 feet to almost 11,000 feet, with much of the land above 1 mile in elevation. Terraine varies from the Rocky Mountains in the north, the Great Planes in the NE and east, the Colorado Plateau in the west and North West, the Basin and Range in the south and south east, with the state split by a large geologic feature called the Rio Grande Rift - a large down dropped fault (graben) with displacement as much as 10,000 feet in places. In addition there are several inactive, but fairly recent volcanic areas scattered throughtout the state. Truly a diverse terraine as well. Animal life varies from elk, mule deer, bison, cougars, bears, coyotes, jack rabbits with huge ears (really hares, not rabbits), cotton tails, eagles, owls, road runners (The state bird), hawks, horned toads, rattlesnakes (several species), a few gila monsters, several species of trout, not to mention all of the animals common to most other parts of the USA. There are several National Wildlife Refuges, and visits to the bosque along the Rio Grand by Whooping Cranes, Sandhill Cranes, egrets, and other aquatic birds is common. Big events in New Mexico include the State Fair in Albuquerque, the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta (1000 hot air balloons from all over the world fly, Santa Fiesta, Deming Duck Races, Gathering of Nations PowWow, and many Pueblo feast days and dances. Albuquerque sits just about in the center of all this. No wonder New Mexico is called the "Land of Enchantment". Mr. Bob Whisnant and Class Albuquerque Academy Albuquerque, New Mexico whisnantb@merlin.aa.edu