The original state flag of New Mexico, designed by the historian Ralph E. Twitchell and adopted in 1915, was typical of American vexillography (flag design). On a blue background it included the name of the state, its order of admission to the Union (47), the state seal, and a U.S. flag. In contrast to most American state flags, the current New Mexico flag is starkly simple. The colors are based on the flag of Spain, which had ruled New Mexico until the early 19th century as part of the Viceroyalty of New Spain. The state flag was designed by the archaeologist and physician Harry Mera in a competition sponsored by the Daughters of the American Revolution. The flag was officially adopted in March 1925. Today the Zia sun is widely recognized as a state symbol, and the architectural design of the capitol building of New Mexico was influenced by its shape.

New Mexico Official name: State of New Mexico. State nickname: Land of Enchantment. Total area: 121,598 sq mi, 314,939 sq km. Population (2000): 1,819,046. Population by race, origin (1997): white non-Hispanic 48.7%; white Hispanic 38.3%; black (including Hispanic) 2.5%; American Indian/Eskimo/Aleut 9.1%; Asian/Pacific Islander 1.4%. Natural increase rate per 1,000 population (1995): 8.6 (U.S. avg. 6.0). Gross domestic (state) product (1996): U.S.$42,700,000,000 (U.S.$24,960 per capita). Land use (1992): federal land 35.3%; non-federal land 64.7%, of which forest 5.9%, cropland 2.4%, pasture 0.3%, rangeland 51.3%, urban and built-up areas 1.1%, other 3.7%. Exports by state (1997): U.S.$1,776,000,000; percent of national total 0.29%.

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