According to Allcountrylist, Gallup, New Mexico is a small city located in the heart of the Four Corners region, near the Arizona border. The city is the county seat of McKinley County and serves as an important hub for commerce and transportation. Gallup is situated at an elevation of 6,646 feet above sea level and is nestled between two mountain ranges: the Chuska Mountains to the west and the Zuni Mountains to the east. The area around Gallup enjoys a mild desert climate, with warm summers and cool winters.
The landscape surrounding Gallup consists primarily of high desert plains dotted with mesas, buttes, canyons, and other geological features. The land in this area has been shaped by centuries of erosion caused by wind, rain, and snow. As a result, there are many interesting rock formations throughout the region that make for excellent hiking opportunities or simply stunning views to enjoy while driving through town.
The nearby Zuni Mountains provide some relief from the dry climate with their forests of Ponderosa pine trees that offer shade during hot summer days. Wildlife in this area includes deer, elk, bald eagles, bighorn sheep and many other species that can be seen grazing in meadows or soaring overhead during a drive through town.
Gallup’s economy is largely based on its tourism industry as it serves as a gateway to Navajo Nation lands located further north as well as attractions such as El Malpais National Monument to the east or Chaco Culture National Historical Park to the west. It also has several casinos located within city limits that attract visitors from nearby states such as Arizona and Colorado looking for some entertainment on their way through town.
Overall, Gallup is an interesting place with plenty to explore both within town limits or out in nature just beyond its boundaries. Its unique mix of cultural influences combined with its beautiful desert scenery makes it an ideal destination for those looking for something different than your typical tourist hotspot.
History of Gallup, New Mexico
Gallup, New Mexico has a rich history that dates back centuries. The area was originally inhabited by the Anasazi people and later by the Navajo Nation. Spanish explorers first arrived in the area in the 1600s but it wasn’t until 1881 that Gallup was officially founded. At this point in time, Gallup was just a small trading post located on the outskirts of what would become Navajo Nation lands.
The city quickly grew as more settlers moved to the area and began to establish businesses and farms. In 1892, Gallup became an official part of McKinley County and soon after was designated as its county seat. Mining also became an important industry for Gallup during this period with coal mining operations starting up in nearby Cibola County as well as copper mining operations taking place near Grants, New Mexico.
In 1901, the Atchison Topeka & Santa Fe Railway built a line through Gallup which helped to further spur growth in the area by providing access to markets outside of New Mexico. As such, Gallup continued to expand over the early 20th century becoming a major hub for both commerce and transportation within the region.
The city’s economy took a major hit during The Great Depression but managed to recover during World War II when military forces established an air base near town that served as an important training site for pilots heading overseas. After WWII ended, many of these pilots returned home and opened businesses in town which helped to bolster local commerce once again.
Today, Gallup is still an important center for commerce within New Mexico though much of its economy is now based on tourism rather than traditional industries such as mining or agriculture. Its location near Navajo Nation lands makes it a popular destination for those looking to explore Native American culture while its proximity to several national parks also draws visitors from around the world looking for outdoor adventures or stunning scenery within easy reach of town.
Economy of Gallup, New Mexico
According to allcitycodes.com, Gallup, New Mexico is a vibrant and diverse city with a rich history and an economy that has seen its share of ups and downs. Located in McKinley County, the city is situated on the edge of the Navajo Nation lands and is home to more than 21,000 people. From its beginnings as a small trading post to its current status as a major tourist destination, Gallup’s economy has been shaped by many factors over the years.
Agriculture has long been an important part of Gallup’s economy with farming operations in the area producing both food crops such as alfalfa, corn, wheat, and barley as well as livestock including cattle, sheep, goats, horses, and poultry. The area has also traditionally had an active mining industry with operations extracting coal from nearby Cibola County as well as copper from nearby Grants.
The arrival of the Atchison Topeka & Santa Fe Railway in 1901 helped to spur economic growth in Gallup by providing access to markets outside of New Mexico. During World War II military forces established an air base near town which served as an important training site for pilots heading overseas and after WWII ended many of these pilots returned home and opened businesses in town which further bolstered local commerce.
Today, Gallup’s economy is largely based on tourism with visitors coming from all over the world to explore Native American culture or take advantage of outdoor adventures within easy reach of town. The city also boasts several museums such as the Red Rock Museum & Gallery which celebrates Navajo culture or Gallup Cultural Center which focuses on Native American art. Additionally there are several shopping centers throughout town where visitors can find unique souvenirs or local crafts.
Gallup is also home to several institutions such as University of New Mexico – Gallup Campus or Navajo Technical University which offer educational opportunities while also providing jobs for locals. Other businesses in town include banking services, health care services such hospitals or clinics, retail stores ranging from big box stores to locally owned shops, restaurants ranging from fast food chains to mom-and-pop eateries offering traditional cuisine such Navajo tacos or frybreads,and much more.
All these factors combine together make up a thriving economy that continues to draw people from around the world each year for business or pleasure making it one of New Mexico’s most important cities today.
Politics in Gallup, New Mexico
Gallup, New Mexico is located in the heart of Navajo Nation and is home to a diverse population of Native Americans, Hispanics, and White Americans. As such, the city has an interesting political landscape that reflects the unique history of the region.
At the local level, Gallup is governed by a mayor-council system in which the mayor is elected at-large and the city council consists of seven members who represent their districts. Elections for mayor and council are held every four years with all candidates running on nonpartisan ballots. The current mayor of Gallup is Jackie McKinney who was first elected in 2017.
At the county level, McKinley County is governed by a three-member Board of Commissioners who are also elected every four years on nonpartisan ballots. The current Board Members include David Dominguez (chairman), Mikel Weisser (vice chairman), and Wanda Begaye (secretary).
At the state level, New Mexico has a bicameral legislature consisting of a House of Representatives and Senate with 70 representatives and 42 senators respectively. Both chambers serve two year terms with elections being held every two years in even-numbered years. All representatives and senators must be affiliated with one of New Mexico’s three major political parties – Democratic Party, Republican Party, or Libertarian Party – although independent candidates can run as well.
Finally, at the federal level Gallup falls into New Mexico’s 3rd Congressional District which covers most of northern New Mexico including much of Navajo Nation as well as parts of Bernalillo County to the south. The district’s representative in Congress is Ben Ray Luján who was first elected in 2018 after serving for eight years as Speaker Pro Tempore in the New Mexico House of Representatives from 2011 to 2018. Luján is a member of the Democratic Party but has been known to reach across party lines to work on issues that benefit his constituents such as public lands conservation or healthcare reform.
