If you’re from New Mexico, you have certain inside knowledge that people from other states lack. And, sure, you can survive without this information, but why would you want to? Here are 13 questions that most New Mexicans should be able to answer:
- Where will you eventually find almost every kid who joins the Boy Scouts?
Flickr/Steve B. The Philmont Scout Ranch in Cimarron. Since 1939, it’s hosted more than a million Boy Scouts. This has to be the most prepared place on the planet!
- Where can you go shovel racing?
Flickr/Lynn Eubank Yes, it’s a thing. The World Championship Shovel Races are held each year in Angel Fire.
- Which is better: sopaipillas or fry bread?
Flickr/Greg Holland
Flickr/tornadogrrrl Okay, we can’t actually answer this one yet. Extensive research is still being conducted.
- What’s posole (or pozole)?
Flickr/Vanessa Roanhorse Posole is hominy corn that is boiled in a blend of water and lime in order to soften the kernels. After the hulls float to the surface, the remaining skinless corn kernels puff up. These become a popular side dish or, when combined with meat and chile, are eaten as a stew.
- Where does the best chile come from?
Flickr/MyEyeSees Right here. Specifically from Hatch or Chimayo.
- What is Christmas?
Yelp/Eric N. Sure, December 25th is technically a correct answer, but what we’re looking for is food covered in both red and green sauce.
- How to you pronounce Tucumcari… or any other unusual place name in New Mexico?
Flickr/Jimmy Emerson, DVM If you don’t know, this video should help.
- Which infamous outlaw marauded through the state?
Wikimedia Commons/Ben Wittick Well, there were a bunch but the most famous one was Billy the Kid.
- How quickly can a town become a war zone?
Wikimedia Commons/Daniel Mayer Pretty fast if that town happens to be Lincoln and the year is 1878. That’s when the Lincoln County War took place, transforming this town into a battlefield.
- How was Albuquerque originally spelled?
Wikimedia Commons/Asaavedra32 It was spelled Alburquerque after a Spanish duke. People dropped the extra “r” over time.
- How do I become a true New Mexican?
Flickr/Larissa Holland Unless your family can trace its roots back for several generations, many will consider you a newbie.
- Which is the highest state capital in the nation?
Flickr/MortAuPat Most people guess Denver, which is 5,280 feet above sea level. They’d be wrong. Santa Fe is at an altitude of more than 7000 feet. Of course, if we’re talking about weed, then the prize probably goes to Denver!
What questions would you add to this list?
Flickr/Steve B.
The Philmont Scout Ranch in Cimarron. Since 1939, it’s hosted more than a million Boy Scouts. This has to be the most prepared place on the planet!
Flickr/Lynn Eubank
Yes, it’s a thing. The World Championship Shovel Races are held each year in Angel Fire.
Flickr/Greg Holland
Flickr/tornadogrrrl
Okay, we can’t actually answer this one yet. Extensive research is still being conducted.
Flickr/Vanessa Roanhorse
Posole is hominy corn that is boiled in a blend of water and lime in order to soften the kernels. After the hulls float to the surface, the remaining skinless corn kernels puff up. These become a popular side dish or, when combined with meat and chile, are eaten as a stew.
Flickr/MyEyeSees
Right here. Specifically from Hatch or Chimayo.
Yelp/Eric N.
Sure, December 25th is technically a correct answer, but what we’re looking for is food covered in both red and green sauce.
Flickr/Jimmy Emerson, DVM
If you don’t know, this video should help.
Wikimedia Commons/Ben Wittick
Well, there were a bunch but the most famous one was Billy the Kid.
Wikimedia Commons/Daniel Mayer
Pretty fast if that town happens to be Lincoln and the year is 1878. That’s when the Lincoln County War took place, transforming this town into a battlefield.
Wikimedia Commons/Asaavedra32
It was spelled Alburquerque after a Spanish duke. People dropped the extra “r” over time.
Flickr/Larissa Holland
Unless your family can trace its roots back for several generations, many will consider you a newbie.
Flickr/MortAuPat
Most people guess Denver, which is 5,280 feet above sea level. They’d be wrong. Santa Fe is at an altitude of more than 7000 feet. Of course, if we’re talking about weed, then the prize probably goes to Denver!
If you’ve noticed how many roaming New Mexicans end up returning to the Land of Enchantment, you may be wondering why our state has such a strong hold on people. To answer that question, check out our past article: “12 Ways Living In New Mexico Ruins You For Life.”
OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article.
