Cibola County, County seat in west central New Mexico, US
Cibola County occupies west central New Mexico and sits atop the Colorado Plateau, a high-elevation landscape. The terrain here ranges from valley floors to mountain ridges, with communities clustered around major towns and historical mining areas.
This county was created in 1981 when the western section of Valencia County was separated to form a new administrative unit. That division made it the youngest county in New Mexico at the time.
Three Pueblo nations call this region home: Acoma, Laguna, and Zuni communities maintain their presence here. Navajo settlements including Ramah add further layers to the local society and traditions visible throughout the land.
Interstate 40 runs through the region and provides good road access in both directions. The Grants Milan Airport offers flight connections for those needing regional air travel, and rail service also passes through the area.
The name comes from the legendary Seven Cities of Cibola that Spanish explorers sought, believing they held great wealth in gold. That ancient tale shaped European expectations about the Southwest for centuries.
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