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(IPA:) is a city primarily in Rio Arriba County, New Mexico. A portion of the central and eastern section of the city is in Santa Fe County. Española, incorporated in 1925, is situated in an area that Juan de Oñate declared a capital for Spain in 1598. Española is well known as the first Capitol City in America. At the 2000 census the city had a total population of 9,629. Española is within the Santa Fe-Espanola Combined Statistical Area.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 21.9 square kilometers (8.5 square miles). 21.7 square kilometers (8.4 square miles) of it is land and 0.2 square kilometers (0.1 square miles) of it is water. The total area covered by water is 0.83%.
Española is over a mile high at an elevation of around with much variance. It is in a valley nestled between the Jemez and Sangre de Cristo mountain ranges, and the meeting point of three rivers, the Rio Grande, the Rio Chama, and the Rio Santa Cruz.
Because of Española's geographical location, it serves as the economic hub for north central New Mexico. The communities of Chimayo, Alcalde, Velarde, Hernandez, Truchas, Cordova, Dixon, Chama, Tierra Amarilla, La Puebla, Arroyo Seco are all in close proximity and are economically dependent on the City of Española and utilize stores, banks and restaurants. The greater Española Valley has a population of 35,500 people.