According to act-test-centers, Belen, New Mexico is located in central Valencia County, about 27 miles south of Albuquerque and 25 miles north of Socorro. Belen is situated in the Valley of Valencia, a flat, fertile valley surrounded by mountains on all sides and the Rio Grande River running through it. The city is bordered to the north by the Manzano Mountains and to the east by the San Mateo Mountains. To the south lies La Joya, New Mexico and to the west is Los Lunas.
The climate in Belen is semi-arid with mild winters and hot summers. Average summer temperatures range from 80-90 degrees Fahrenheit with occasional higher temperatures during heat waves. Winter temperatures can dip below freezing at night but are usually mild during the day with an average high temperature of 57 degrees Fahrenheit. Precipitation in Belen averages around 12 inches per year with most falling from late summer through early spring.
Belen has a variety of different terrain ranging from flat plains to rolling hills and rugged mountainsides. The town itself sits on a flat plain with some low hills surrounding it on three sides while tall mountains loom to the east and west. The Rio Grande River runs through Belen providing plenty of opportunities for fishing, boating, rafting, and other water activities.
The area around Belen also has plenty of natural beauty with its wide open spaces, rolling hills, rugged mountain ranges, and wide variety of plants and wildlife including deer, coyotes, bobcats, jackrabbits, quail, roadrunners, wild turkeys and more. The Manzano Mountains provide plenty of hiking trails as well as camping areas for those who want to take advantage of nature’s beauty without having to venture too far away from civilization.
Belen offers something for everyone – whether you’re looking for outdoor recreation or just want a peaceful place to relax away from it all – you can find it here! With its wide open spaces full of natural beauty combined with its convenient location near larger cities such as Albuquerque and Socorro there’s no shortage of things to do in Belen!
History of Belen, New Mexico
Belen, New Mexico has a rich history that dates back to the early 16th century. The area was first settled by Native American tribes such as the Tiwa, Tompiro, and Keresan. These tribes lived in villages along the Rio Grande River and were known for their farming and trading abilities.
In 1540, Spanish explorer Francisco Vásquez de Coronado arrived in the area searching for the fabled “Seven Cities of Gold”. He quickly realized that no such cities existed and instead established a mission in Belen which he named “San Clemente de la Isleta”. The mission was eventually abandoned in 1581 due to conflicts with Native Americans but left behind a lasting legacy on Belen’s culture and heritage.
In 1819, Belen became part of Mexico after it declared its independence from Spain. This period saw an influx of new settlers from various parts of Mexico as well as Europe who came to work on farms or start businesses. By 1846, Belen was part of the United States after the Mexican-American War and continued to grow over time with new settlers coming to take advantage of Belen’s fertile land and temperate climate.
Belen grew steadily throughout the 19th century with new businesses opening up including hotels, saloons, banks, stores, churches, schools, post offices and more. It also became an important stop for travelers on their way westward as it was located along two major routes – the Santa Fe Trail and El Camino Real (the Royal Road). The city’s economy also benefited from its proximity to Fort Craig which opened nearby in 1861 during the Civil War.
Today Belen is still known for its strong cultural heritage which is evident in its numerous historic buildings such as churches dating back to 1620s or so-called “adobe homes” built before 1846 when it became part of America. It is also home to several museums that celebrate its history including the Central New Mexico Railroad Museum which showcases artifacts related to railroads that once operated through Belen while connecting Albuquerque with El Paso Texas.
Economy of Belen, New Mexico
Belen, New Mexico is located in the heart of the Rio Grande Valley and has a rich history that dates back to Native American tribes such as the Tiwa, Tompiro, and Keresan. These tribes lived in villages along the Rio Grande River and were known for their farming and trading abilities. Since then, Belen has grown steadily throughout the 19th century with new businesses opening up including hotels, saloons, banks, stores, churches, schools, post offices and more. It also became an important stop for travelers on their way westward as it was located along two major routes – the Santa Fe Trail and El Camino Real (the Royal Road). The city’s economy also benefited from its proximity to Fort Craig which opened nearby in 1861 during the Civil War.
Today Belen’s economy is largely based on agriculture with a large number of local farms producing vegetables such as onions and garlic as well as alfalfa for livestock feed. The city is also home to several industrial businesses such as a concrete plant that produces materials used for roads, buildings and other construction projects. Tourism continues to be an important part of Belen’s economy with visitors coming from all over to explore its rich cultural heritage which can be seen in its numerous historic buildings such as churches dating back to 1620s or so-called “adobe homes” built before 1846 when it became part of America. It is also home to several museums that celebrate its history including the Central New Mexico Railroad Museum which showcases artifacts related to railroads that once operated through Belen while connecting Albuquerque with El Paso Texas.
Belen’s economy has seen some growth in recent years due to increased investment from both public and private sources. The city has received funding from organizations like the Economic Development Administration (EDA) which has helped fund projects such as infrastructure improvements downtown or new housing developments on the outskirts of town. Other investments have come from businesses looking to relocate or expand into Belen due to its favorable business environment which includes low taxes and access to skilled labor force. As a result of these efforts there has been an increase in job opportunities within Belen which helps support local businesses and contribute positively towards economic growth.
Politics in Belen, New Mexico
Belen, New Mexico is a city located in Valencia County and is home to over 7,000 people. The city is governed by a mayor-council system of government with the mayor being elected at-large and the five council members being elected from five wards. Currently, the mayor of Belen is Jerah Cordova and the council members are Arturo Loera (Ward 1), Ruben Gonzales (Ward 2), Raul Candelaria (Ward 3), David Otero (Ward 4) and Anthony Montoya (Ward 5).
The City Council meets twice per month on the first and third Tuesdays at 6 p.m. in the Council Chambers at City Hall to discuss important issues facing Belen. The Mayor has veto power over any action taken by the City Council, but this veto can be overridden by a two-thirds majority vote of all members present. Additionally, the Mayor also serves as chairman of all meetings of the City Council and appoints committees to review specific matters as needed.
Belen has a strong sense of community pride that is evident in its politics. This can be seen through its commitment to promoting economic development initiatives such as creating new jobs, investing in infrastructure improvements, providing incentives for businesses to relocate or expand into Belen, and supporting local businesses through tax credits or other forms of assistance. The city also works diligently to ensure that residents have access to quality health care services and educational opportunities for their children through partnerships with local organizations such as Valley Health Systems or New Mexico State University Valencia Campus.
In addition to economic development initiatives, Belen’s government also works hard to ensure that residents have access to safe housing options, adequate transportation resources and recreational activities that promote healthy lifestyles. The city actively promotes sustainability initiatives such as encouraging energy efficiency measures or expanding public transportation options throughout town which helps reduce air pollution levels while providing more cost-effective travel options for citizens.
Overall, Belen’s government seeks to promote an environment that supports both economic prosperity and quality of life for its citizens while striving towards a brighter future for generations to come.