Geography of New Mexico and surroundings
The Pedernal Mountain overlooks Abiquiu Lake. Pedernal is one of the inspirations of many artists such as Georgia O'Keefe.
TAOS NEW MEXICO GEOGRAPHY AND DEMOGRAPHICS
Taos is a beautiful, small and quite famous town nestled at the foot of the Taos Mountains and Sangre de Christo Mountain Range. With a centuries old history that goes on far before the Spanish conquest of the territories in is situated in the North Central Region of New Mexico. The Town of Taos is considered the Couty seat of Taos County and was incorporated quite late in the US history, 1934. The centuries old community of the Taos Pueblo rests at the foot of Taos Mountain, the main saddled mountain peak commanding a major view as you drive north into town from the famous Rio Grande Gorge. There are approximately 5,000 residents of the town, and 1500 in Taos Pueblo, however Taos is surrounded by many small communities that are part of the Taos community. Taos Pueblo, Arroyo Seco, Arroyo Hondo, Taos Ski Valley, Taos Canyon, Ranchitos, El Prado, Canon, Ranchos de Taos...all communities that reach deep into the history of Northern New Mexico.
Taos is bordered on the north and east by the beautiful Sangre de Christo mountains and spills out onto the Taos Plateau cut through by the deep and impressive canyons of the Rio Grande Gorge. The San Juan Mountains are to the West.
The immediate Town of Taos is 5.4 square miles and is located near the Rio Pueblo de Taos, a tributary of the Rio Grande. The Rio Grande Gorge, west of town cuts through basalt flows of the Taos Plateau volcanic field. Throughout, the views are ancient remnants of prehistoric volcanic eruptions. The geology is diverse and a rock lovers fantasy.