Population: 448,607

Elevation: 5,314 feet

Area: 162 sq. miles

Emergency: For police, fire, or ambulance emergency, dial 911

Time Zone: New Mexico is on Mountain Standard Time, which is seven hours behind Greenwich mean time, and two hours behind Eastern Standard Time. When it is 8:00am in Albuquerque, it is 11:00am in New York City. (Daylight Saving Time is observed from midnight on the first Sunday in April until midnight on the last Sunday in October. Daylight saving time advances the clock by one hour across all of the US time zones.)

Weather

Average Temperatures:

Yearly rainfall is slight. There is occasional snow in the winter months. Temperatures at night are cool and perfect for sleeping year round. In October, the weather is mild and the trees turn a brilliant gold. At any visit, it is wise to come prepared with a jacket and/or sweater for use in the early morning and evening. Be sure to bring sunscreen and to apply it often of you will be outdoors. Even in cool temperatures, the intensity ultra violet rays of the sun at the high altitude require protection.

Public Holidays:

Jan. 1 New Years Day

January ( 3rd Monday) Martin Luther King Jrs birthday

February (third Monday) Presidents Day

May 5 Cinco de Mayo

May (Last Monday) Memorial Day

July 4 Independence Day

September (1st Monday) Labor Day

November 11 Veterans Day

November (4th Thursday) Thanksgiving Day

December 25 Christmas Day

Area Code: the area code for Albuquerque is 505. Calls made from outside the local area to Albuquerque must include the area code.

Electricity: Electric current in the US is 110-120 volts, 60 cycle. Appliances manufactured for use in most Asian and European countries will need an adapter to operate safely, as well as a plug adapter for the flat pin style of the US plug.

Getting Around in Albuquerque

129 Sun Tran buses run some 35 routes throughout the city. For schedules and route information, call the Transit Departments Customer Service Center at (505) 843-9200

Arriving and Departing

Albuquerque International Airport, New Mexico's premier gate way, is 5miles south of downtown. The Amtrak station is just east of downtown, two blocks south of Central Ave; Greyhound and other bus operators are at the Albuquerque Bus Transportation Center, two blocks west of the railway station.

By Air

The Albuquerque International Airport is the airport for Northern New Mexico. The airport houses about a dozen national, international and regional carriers. Shuttles are available from Albuquerque Airport into the city. Taxis are metered, so the fare varies. Rental cars are available.

By Train

Amtrak travels to Albuquerque. For train schedule and ticket information call (1-800) 872-7245.

By Car

Two interstate highways intersect in Albuquerque: I-25 runs north-south and I-40 east-west. The downtown area is laid out in an approximate grid with Central Avenue the main street. The University of New Mexico is on downtown's eastern flank, while Albuquerque Old Town is immediately northwest of the city center.

Visiting other area cities:

Albuquerque to Santa Fe is about 60 miles via I-25. An alternate route from Albuquerque to Santa Fe is Highway 14, known as The Turquoise Trail.