New Mexico State Guide

In 1598, just half a century after Francisco Coronado's failed expedition to find the Seven Golden Cities of Cibola, Juan de Oñate founded the Province of New Mexico. Despite numerous Native American revolts and intense rivalry with the French colonies in Louisiana, the region remained under Spanish rule until the Mexican War of Independence. In 1821, control of New Mexico (and the rest of New Spain) passed to the newly independent Mexican government. The land, along with California and the rest of the American Southwest, was ceded to the U.S. in 1848, following the Mexican-American War. The Territory of New Mexico (which included Arizona as well) was created in 1850, with Santa Fe named as capital in 1851. The Territory of Arizona was split off in 1863, and New Mexico became the 47th state of the U.S. in 1912.