Central Region, NM Land for Sale

The Central region of New Mexico is located in the middle of the state, and comprises the counties surrounding the Albuquerque area, the largest city in the state. Other larger municipalities in the Central region include Rio Rancho, Los Lunas, Bernalillo, Corrales and Belen.

There are five state parks in the Central region, which include Fenton Lake State Park, featuring ponderosa pine forests a cross-country ski and biathlon trail and wheelchair accessible fishing platforms, Manzano State Park, Rio Bravo State Park, San Gabriel State Park and Senator Willie M. Chavez State Park. There are also a number of national protected areas, which include the Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks National Monument, famous for its cone shaped formations composed of pumice, ash and tuff deposits from volcanic eruptions six or seven million years ago, Petroglyph National Monument, Turquoise Trail National Scenic Byway and Valles Caldera National Preserve, known for its huge mountain meadows, abundant wildlife and winding steams, Bandelier National Monument, Cibola National Forest, El Camino Real de Tierra Adentro National Historic Trail and Santa Fe National Forest. The region is known for the native culture, a lively entertainment scene, filmmaking hot spots, dining, shopping, ranging from handmade pottery to western wear, and the world's largest balloon fiesta. Other attractions in the region include Explora, a hands-on science museum, Indian Pueblo Cultural Center, several vineyards and breweries, Museum of the American Military Family and Learning Center, National Museum of Nuclear Science and History, Old Town Albuquerque, two casinos and a few golf courses.

Albuquerque is at the center of the New Mexico Technology Corridor, a concentration of high-tech private companies and government institutions along the Rio Grande River. In addition to companies headquartered in the region, Kirtland Air Force Base employs more than 20,000 people, and there are also many contracting companies bringing highly educated workers. A well-known technology company has a large semiconductor factory in Rio Rancho, which employs a large number as well. There are several higher education institutions in New Mexico's Central region, including University of New Mexico, also one of the largest employers in the region, University of New Mexico West Campus, University of New Mexico Valencia Campus, Carrington College, Southwest University of Visual Arts, Trinity Southwest University, University of St. Francis College of Nursing and Allied Health Department of Physician Assistant Studies, St. Norbert College, a Master of Theological Studies program, Central New Mexico Community College and Southwestern Indian Polytechnic Institute. The Ayurvedic Institute is one of the first places specializing in Ayurvedic medicine, a form of alternative medicine, outside of India.

Sandoval County is the northernmost county in New Mexico's Central region. It is the fourth most populated county in the state. Rio Rancho is the largest city, and the town of Bernalillo is the county seat. There are more than 20 other villages, census-designated places and unincorporated communities. Sandoval County has 12 Indian reservations and two joint-use areas, the second highest number of reservations in any county in the U.S. Rio Rancho is the economic hub of the county and it is the third largest city in the state. The opening of one of the largest semiconductor plants in the world by a well-known technology company in 1981 had a major economic impact, and it is still the largest employer in the county. There are also several call centers of large retailers located in the county, which are large employers as well. University of New Mexico's West Campus and Central New Mexico Community College are both located in Sandoval County. There are a number of protected areas located in the county, including Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks National Monument and part of Bandelier National Monument, Cibola National Forest, El Camino Real de Tierra Adentro National Historic Trail, Santa Fe National Forest, Valles Caldera National Preserve and Jemez Mountain Trail National Historic Byway. Some other attractions in the county include San Pedro Parks Wilderness, Fenton Lake, San Antonio Creek and San Antonio Canyon, Sandia Lakes Recreation Area, with several ponds stocked with trout and other fish, Coronado State Monument and Jemez State Monument, which features ruins of an early 17th-century mission. There are several places in the Jemez Mountains where visitors can enjoy the natural hot springs. The county also features several different farm markets and wineries.

Valencia County is located in the southwestern part of New Mexico's Central Region, in the Rio Grande Valley. It is the second smallest county in the state by area. The Village of Los Lunas is the most populated municipality and the county seat. Cities in the county include Belen and Rio Communities, and there are more than 20 other towns, villages, census-designated places and unincorporated communities. Isleta Pueblo is one of the largest pueblos in New Mexico. Facebook plans to open a new data center in Los Lunas, which will have a huge economic impact on the county and the region. A well-known national retail store has a large distribution center in Los Lunas, there are a number of light manufacturers and agriculture contributes to the economy, primarily dairy, beef cattle, pecans, hay, sheep and chile peppers. University of New Mexico Valencia Campus is located in the county. Part of the Cibola National Forest, El Camino Real de Tierra Adentro National Historic Trail and Manzano Wilderness are in the county. Some other attractions in the county include Harvey House Museum in Belen, which showcases railroad history through photographs and artifacts, and the Luna Mansion.

Bernalillo County is located in between Sandoval County and Valencia County in New Mexico's Central region. Albuquerque is the only city in the county, is the largest city in New Mexico and is the county seat. There are more than 20 other villages, census-designated places and unincorporated communities. Petroglyph National Monument and part of Cibola National Forest and El Camino Real de Tierra Adentro National Historic Trail are located in the county. Albuquerque is an economic and cultural hub of the county, and as mentioned, is at the center of the New Mexico Technology Corridor. Some places of interest include Albuquerque Museum of Art and History, chronicling more than 600 years of the city's history, Old Town Albuquerque, Anderson-Abruzzo Albuquerque International Balloon Museum, which houses the complete history of hot air ballooning, and Albuquerque also hosts an annual International Balloon Fiesta, and the National Museum of Nuclear Science and History. The area's cuisine prominently features the green chile, which is widely available even in fast food restaurants. Kirtland Air Force Base is located in the county, one of the largest employers in the region. There are several major higher education institutions in the county, mostly in Albuquerque, including University of New Mexico, Carrington College, Southwest University of Visual Arts, Central New Mexico Community College and Southwestern Indian Polytechnic Institute.