At first glance, Albuquerque appears to be a typical Sun Belt city, which spreads out in every direction. If you really explore the city, you will find that beneath the maze-like structure, there are clear and defined culturally diverse neighbourhoods, with blends of Spanish, Mexican, Native American, European and Asian influences.

Albuquerque lies at the heart of New Mexico and has a rich history which goes back thousands of years. From its modest beginnings as a settlement for Spanish families, Albuquerque has grown into a trade and transportation hub.

The city itself has a number of historic sights as well as being an ideal base for exploring the state. Regardless of whether you like natural wonders, historic villages, manmade attractions or children’s theme parks, Albuquerque is sure to keep you amused. Travel on the tram up Sandia Peak, walk through the woodlands on a hiking trail, drive along the renowned Route 66; the choice of things to do is endless.

Albuquerque is home to a number of hotels, which all range in price and quality. You can find modest accommodations next door to top-class hotels offering high-class service and facilities. There are a number of business, airport and family-orientated accommodation establishments. If you are travelling in luxury and looking for a hotel, the majority of luxury hotels are generally concentrated around Tijeras Northwest and Marquette Northwest.

If however you are travelling on a budget, there are many chain hotels that will met your needs and still provide good lodgings at a reasonable rate. These can be found dotted across the city.

Albuquerque's hotels often fully booked, making it important to book in advance, especially during the peak season from May to September.

The region surrounding present-day Albuquerque was once inhabited by several groups of Native Americans. These included the Sandia Man, who lived here during the Ice Age, 25,000 years ago, and the ancient Anasazi Indians, who built huge apartment-like buildings (pueblos), which are still standing after 3,000 years. Today, the city can be found at the heart of many Native American remains and relics, housing the majority of New Mexico's 19 pueblos. Albuquerque's architecture combines modern design with ancient Native American and Hispanic motifs.

The native people were driven out by the Spanish in the 18th century. Albuquerque, as we know it today, began as a villa which was built by Spanish colonists in 1706. This tiny settlement slowly began to develop and a church was built, setting the foundations for a thriving city. When the US took possession of New Mexico in 1848, a railroad was built and American goods became available to the townspeople. It was not long before Albuquerque became a major economic centre for the entire state.

Up until WWII, Albuquerque remained a small, quiet town that was starting to develop into a city. The development of the atomic bomb at nearby Los Alamos brought the town into the nuclear age. It became an integral part of the Rio Grande Research Corridor, and with the rise in passing trade and visitors, Albuquerque soon gained city status.

Today, the city is a hub for large industries which mainly revolve around the research and development of atomic energy and space exploration. As well as giant industrial companies, the city has also attracted hundreds of smaller research firms which have ensured record population growth.

Today, Albuquerque is a diverse city which is both aware and proud of its history, and it embraces all aspects of its past to ensure a stable and prosperous future.

Albuquerque enjoys a pleasant and dry climate year-round, with plenty of sunshine. The low humidity makes the city an ideal holiday destination, regardless of what time of year you decide to visit.

Summers in Albuquerque can be unpleasantly hot, with June and July being the warmest months of the year. Temperatures during these months often reach above 32°C. Some people may find this weather too hot. If it is too hot for you, August sees lovely warm temperatures, but at a much more bearable average of 25°C.

The winter months of December and January are the coldest months of the year, with daytime temperatures dropping as low as 8°C. Night-time temperatures can drop to -6°C, but this is rare. You will however need to pack some jumpers just in case. Albuquerque's winter sees the driest weather of the year, allowing visitors to take full advantage of the winter sun.

Spring and autumn are both warm, with lots of sunshine yet without the crowds of the peak summer and Christmas periods. These months are the ideal time to visit, as accommodation is cheaper and attractions are much less crowded.