An area of land with unique physical features

� An area of land with unique physical features as well as distinct plants and animals.

� Rocky Mountains � Colorado Plateau � The Great Plains � Basin and Range

� Mild summers and cold winters � A lot of rain and snow � The higher the elevation the colder and more severe the weather becomes

Winter �Deep snow �High winds �Sudden blizzards �At night temperature can drop below 0 degrees Spring § Weather is often unpredictable § Can be cold and wet in the morning and then dry and warm in the afternoon Summer Fall § Sunny mornings § Afternoon thunderstorms § And clear nights § Cool days § Wind and rain at night

� Growing season is often less than 80 days � Forests are thick and have pine, fir, and spruce trees � Animals include : Mule deer, pronghorn, antelope, black bears, brown bears, big horn sheep, wolves, coyotes, and mountain lions

� Santa Fe became capital by Spanish settlers in 1610 �The mountains provided protection from Indian tribes �The river offered water that could be used for farming �The climate has offered regular rainfall �Because of it’s beginnings 50% of the 67, 000 people that live in Santa Fe are Hispanic.

� Melzer, R. , & Reyes, C. K. (2012). The New Mexico Journey. Layton, UT: Gibbs Smith Education.