Hopefully, most people believe that the place where they live is awesome. New Mexicans certainly have many reasons to feel proud of the Land of Enchantment. And, while there aren’t any major sports teams here, we know how to root for the home team. So we like the idea of a little tongue-in-cheek rivalry with our immediate neighbors. After all, why keep up with the Joneses when you can outshine them? So, without further ado, here are 11 reasons why New Mexico is sooo much better than its neighbors:

1. Our food is unrivaled.
Yelp/Eric N.
We get that Coloradans are all about microbrews and that Texas has its own style of BBQ, but New Mexican food is a type of cuisine. It’s so much more than one regional dish or a way of preparing food.
2. This is especially true of our green chile. It is THE best. No contest.
Flickr/Jon Lebkowsky
Suck it, Colorado!
3. New Mexicans have discerning palates so, as a rule, we don’t eat testicles.
Flickr/Vincent Diamante
We’re talking to you, Oklahoma and Colorado.
4. And what the heck is the deal with funeral potatoes, Utah?
Wikimedia Commons/GreenGlass1972
Aside from the unappetizing name, why would anyone combine potatoes with cornflakes? If you’re looking to load up on carbs, try a sopaipilla instead.
5. We can tell our fruits from our vegetables.
Flickr/Kevin Lawver
Kudos, Oklahoma, on growing scrumptious watermelon. But you named it your state VEGETABLE. Sure, it’s part of the gourd family and you can attempt to carve it. However, dictionaries, encyclopedias, and our dim recollection of elementary school science all confirm that watermelon is a FRUIT.
6. We have three UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
Wikimedia Commons/I, Luca Galuzzi
That’s more than any other state. Texas, Arizona, and Colorado each have one, while Oklahoma doesn’t have any yet.
7. We try to preserve our historic buildings and we don’t tear stuff down because it’s old.
Flickr/Arvell Dorsey Jr.
Are wrecking balls manufactured in Phoenix or something?
8. We have good spatial awareness. In other words, we don’t try to cram massive SUVs down 400-year-old streets that were originally designed for carts.
Flickr/Cherie Benoit
Ahem, Texas. Everything may be bigger in the Lone Star State, but that’s not necessarily the case in the other 49.
9. New Mexicans also have more common sense than some of our neighbors and know how to dress appropriately.
Flickr/Kevin Armstrong
Coloradans have been known to wear flip-flops in snow, while Arizonans bundle up in fleeces any time it drops below 85 degrees Fahrenheit.
10. Roadrunners. Admit it, you’re jealous of our state bird.
Flickr/Ryan Schreiber
Arizona has the cactus wren, Colorado has the lark bunting, and Utah has the California gull. Yes, apparently the CALIFORNIA gull is Utah’s state bird. We’ll concede that Oklahoma’s scissor-tailed flycatcher sounds fancy and that Texas’ state bird – the northern mockingbird – is kind of cool. But do any of these birds star in their own cartoon? And that’s New Mexico for the win.
11. Sunsets.
Flickr/Matt Dente
We can out-sunset every last one of you!

We could continue, but we feel it’s only fair to let our neighbors respond before launching round two! In your opinion, what else makes New Mexico the best? Let us know on the Only In New Mexico Facebook page.

While we’re bantering, here are 15 Sure-Fire Ways To Make A New Mexican Mad!

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