What factors played a significant role in the Spanish settling in northern New Mexico?

The selection of precipitation, climate, and altitude as significant factors in the Spanish settling in northern New Mexico is grounded in the essential requirements for sustaining a population in a challenging environment. The region's climate, characterized by variations in temperature and seasonal rainfall, significantly influenced agricultural practices and the viability of settlements.

In northern New Mexico, the availability of water resources, shaped by seasonal precipitation patterns, directly impacted farming and livestock raising, which were crucial for survival and economic stability. The high altitude of the region also played a role in shaping the local climate and ecosystem, which affected how crops could be cultivated and what types of agricultural practices could be successful.

In essence, understanding these environmental factors illuminates why the Spanish chose certain areas to settle, as they were looking for regions that could support their way of life through agriculture and provide the necessary resources for sustenance.