The capital of New Mexico is Santa Fe. It is the oldest state capital in the United States, founded in 1610, and serves as the seat of Santa Fe County. Santa Fe is located in the northern part of New Mexico at an elevation of about 6,998 feet (2,133 meters), making it the highest state capital in the U.S. It has a rich cultural history influenced by Native American, Spanish, Mexican, and American heritage and is known as the cultural capital of the Southwestern United States