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New Mexico, located in the southwestern United States, is known for its rich culture, diverse landscapes, and historical significance. The state's capital is Santa Fe and the largest city is Albuquerque. New Mexico has a deep history, from the ancient civilization of the Anasazi to the arrival of Spanish colonizers in the 16th century. The state played an important role in the American West, as a center for mining, ranching, and military operations.
The state is also home to many notable landmarks, such as the White Sands National Monument, Carlsbad Caverns, and the Taos Pueblo. New Mexico is known for its unique blend of Native American, Spanish, and Anglo cultures, which is reflected in its art, music, and cuisine. The state is also known for its contributions to science and technology, including the development of the first atomic bomb.
Trivia questions about New Mexico can include questions about its history, geography, culture, and famous residents. This article will test your knowledge of the state's past and present, from its ancient ruins to its modern-day innovations. Get ready to learn more about New Mexico and see how well you fare against these challenging trivia questions. Whether you're a resident of the state or just a curious trivia buff, this article is sure to be an engaging and informative read.
1. White water rafting is a big industry in the city of Taos, located in what southwestern state, known as the Land Of Enchantment?
Answer: New Mexico
2. Who starred in the 1976 film adaptation of Walter Tevis's novel "The Man Who Fell to Earth," playing the title character, an extraterrestrial who crashes his spaceship in New Mexico?
Answer: David Bowie
3. The election of 1912 was the first one to feature the 48 contiguous states, thanks to Arizona and New Mexico joining the union prior to the election. Both of those states went to which eventual winner?
Answer: Woodrow Wilson
4. Covering something that can mushroom into existence in the New Mexico desert, what 2023 Christopher Nolan film anagrams to PIONEER HEMP?
Answer: Oppenheimer
5. In 2021, Deb Haaland, from Laguna Pueblo in New Mexico, became the first Native American to serve as the secretary of what department of the federal government? Like its name suggests, this department oversees much of the stuff “inside” the country’s borders, including natural resources and the National Park System.
Answer: Department of the Interior
6. December 7, 1928, marks the day Octaviano Larrazolo became the first Hispanic-American politician to serve in the U.S. Senate when he was sworn in as the new senator of what Southwestern “Land of Enchantment” U.S. state?
Answer: New Mexico
7. Writer N. Scott Momaday became the first Native American to win a Pulitzer Prize for Fiction in 1969 for “House Made of Dawn,” a novel about a young man growing up on the Jemez Pueblo in what U.S. state? Other “pueblos” in this state include Acoma, Zia, and Taos.
Answer: New Mexico
8. Known as one of the biggest campgrounds in the world, Philmont Scout Ranch in New Mexico was founded in which decade of the 20th century?
Answer: 1930s
9. Camping in what state’s White Sands is truly unlike anything else on Earth, with rising waves of gypsum sand under your feet and a bright starry night sky above?
Answer: New Mexico
10. Gallo Campground in Chaco Culture National Historic Park, which has sites next to petroglyphs and a cliff dwelling, is located in what state?
Answer: New Mexico
11. If you really want to sleep under the stars, what state with low light pollution can you trek to and camp at White Sands?
Answer: New Mexico
12. What New Mexico county voted for the winner of every U.S. presidential election from 1952 through 2016, the longest active of any county for years, but had its streak broken in 2020?
Answer: Valencia
13. What Native American nation in Arizona observes Daylight Saving Time, while the rest of the state does not? They do so to align with the clocks of other members of their nation in Utah and New Mexico.
Answer: Navajo
14. The city of Hot Springs in New Mexico was renamed in 1950 after a radio show originally hosted by Ralph Edwards. By what name is this city now known?
Answer: Truth or Consequences
15. We'wha was the name of a famous potter, weaver, and "lhamana," a person born with a male body who takes on female social roles. We'wha was from the Zuni people of what larger Native American group found in New Mexico and surrounding areas?
Answer: Pueblo
16. Colorado's Mesa Verde National Park preserves some of the most complete cliff dwellings built by the "Ancestral" communities of what modern-day Native American group, now found in New Mexico's Rio Grande Valley?
Answer: Pueblo
17. When he was elected to replace New Mexico’s Andrieus A. Jones (who died in office), Octaviano Larrazolo became the first Mexican-American to hold what position in the United States?
Answer: Senator
18. What mascot is shared by Texas A&M, North Carolina A&T, New Mexico State, Utah State, and many other universities in recognition of their heritage as agricultural training institutions?
Answer: Aggies
19. Texas is by far the largest oil-producing state in the United States. However, which state comes in second?
Answer: New Mexico
20. The Cumbres and Toltec Scenic Railroad, a U.S. National Monument and the longest steam railway in North America, runs from Antonito, Colorado, to Chama, located in what southwestern state?
Answer: New Mexico
21. New Mexico's Philmont Scout Ranch, which claims to host the largest campground in the world, is owned and operated by what organization founded in 1910 that has served over 100 million youth?
Answer: Boy Scouts of America
22. Founded by a computer programmer and a box office expert, what company had an Electric Light Orchestra concert at the University of New Mexico as its first ticketed event?
Answer: Ticketmaster
23. What two states were partially acquired by the U.S. via the Gadsden Purchase of 1853?
Answer: Arizona and New Mexico
24. Representing the Libertarian Party, what businessman and former governor of New Mexico used slogans including "Our Best America Yet!,” "Live Free,” "#TeamGov,” and "You In?" during his run for U.S. president in 2016?
Answer: Gary Johnson
25. "Bless Me, Ultima" is a famous coming-of-age novel by Rudolfo Anaya centering on a young Antonio and his mentor Ultima along with her pet owl. The book is one of the most widely read and critically acclaimed novels in the Chicano literary canon. In what U.S. state is the book set?
Answer: New Mexico
26. A grueling and deadly forced march in 1864 from what is now Arizona to New Mexico is known today as the "Long Walk of" what Indigenous people?
Answer: The Navajo
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