Q 01/05

In what year was Albuquerque founded as La Villa de Alburquerque?

A) 1725

B) 1760

C) 1821

D) 1706

Answer · why

D) 1706

Governor Francisco Cuervo y Valdés founded it as an outpost on El Camino Real, the road linking Mexico City to New Spain's far north.

Q 02/05

The city was named in honor of a Spanish viceroy holding which title?

A) Duke of Alburquerque

B) Count of Monterrey

C) Marquis of Cádiz

D) Duke of Alba

Answer · why

A) Duke of Alburquerque

Hence the nickname Duke City; the original Alburquerque is in Badajoz province in western Spain.

Q 03/05

Which letter was dropped from the city's original Spanish spelling?

A) An extra L

B) An extra Q

C) An extra R

D) An extra U

Answer · why

C) An extra R

The Spanish town is still spelled Alburquerque; the first 'r' fell away in the American version of the name.

Q 04/05

Albuquerque is the county seat of which county?

A) Sandoval

B) Bernalillo

C) Valencia

D) Santa Fe

Answer · why

B) Bernalillo

Bernalillo the county is distinct from Bernalillo the town, which sits just north in Sandoval County.

Q 05/05

Which mountain range flanks Albuquerque to the east?

A) Sangre de Cristo

B) Jemez Mountains

C) Organ Mountains

D) Sandia Mountains

Answer · why

D) Sandia Mountains

The range's pink granite glow at sunset is one explanation for its Spanish name.