"Temple of the Sun." Big Room, Carlsbad Cavern. NPS photo

Carlsbad is in southeastern New Mexico. Carlsbad is situated in flat, high desert country on the historic Pecos River and adjacent to the Guadalupe Mountains. The river is what separates it from being like so many of the other small desert towns in this region. The city has developed the land along the river well, with miles of lighted walkways and, dam created, artificial lakes.

The economic base of Carlsbad is potash mining, oil and gas production, farming and ranching, tourism and the WIPP nuclear waste repository.

The big tourism draw is the unique Guadalupe Mountain range just west of the town. This exposed fossil reef is the home of hundreds of caves and two national parks. The two most famous caves are Lechuguilla and Carlsbad Cavern.

Lechuguilla, is the deepest and third longest cave in North America and more cave is being discovered continually. In addition to its size, there are many other factors that make this cave in Carlsbad Caverns National Park, perhaps the most important cave in the world.

A popular Carlsbad attraction, during the Christmas season, is "Christmas on the Pecos." During this event, homeowners along the Pecos River decorate their backyards for the enjoyment of boat passengers that cruise by.