Albuquerque lies within the northern, upper edges of
the Chihuahuan Desert ecoregion, based on long-term patterns of climate,
associations of plants and wildlife, and landforms, including drainage
patterns. Located in central New Mexico, the city also has noticeable
influences from the adjacent Colorado Plateau Semi-Desert, Arizona-New Mexico
Mountains, and Southwest Plateaus and Plains Steppe ecoregions, depending on
where one is located. Its main geographic connection lies with southern New
Mexico, while culturally, Albuquerque is a crossroads of most of New Mexico.
