Bernalillo County is one of the busiest and most heavily populated counties in New Mexico. At the center of this busy county is Albuquerque, the county seat and the largest city in New Mexico. Bernalillo County was formed in 1852 among the rugged Sandia Mountains. This stunning landscape contains two national protected areas: the Sandia Mountain Wilderness, part of the Cibola National Forest, and Petroglyph National Monument.
The Rio Grande winds through the heart of Albuquerque, a beautiful city that ranges in landscape from the Chihuahuan Desert to plateaus to the Sandia Mountains. The city contains several historic sites, museums, shops, and restaurants. It is home to the University of New Mexico, a public university established in 1889. The NCAA Division I UNM Lobos football team is part of the Mountain West Conference and play at University Stadium.
In addition to Albuquerque, Bernalillo County includes two villages, Los Ranchos De Albuquerque and Tijeras, and several unincorporated communities. Among these are North Valley, Cedar Crest, and Isleta Pueblo.