Regional position
A place label may repeat nationally, but Las Cruces, New Mexico (code 39380, estimate 116,978) is narrowed by New Mexico, rank 262, and code 39380. Las Cruces, New Mexico (rank 262) is plotted from 32 degrees 19 minutes 35 seconds north with 106 degrees 47 minutes 23 seconds west; identifier 35-39380 prevents a reference from losing its name. Rank 262 helps compare, while terrain explains setting; read 116,978 as the reported size of Las Cruces, New Mexico (latitude 32.32644). Coordinates and code 39380 preserve the reference; when scale changes, Las Cruces, New Mexico (FIPS 35-39380) stays identifiable across rank 262.
Water and drainage
Las Cruces, New Mexico (code 39380, estimate 116,978) shares New Mexico's water setting of the Rio Grande, arroyos, springs, and high-desert drainage; population 116,978 stays a separate scale clue. Identifier 35-39380 prevents ambiguous attribution; one state-scale observation behind Las Cruces, New Mexico (rank 262) is that oasis State Park near Portales lies on the Llano Estacado. For Las Cruces, New Mexico (latitude 32.32644), water offers orientation after the coordinate resolves location; estimate 116,978 is only a scale measure. Identifier 35-39380 holds nature separate from city identity; a state overview places Las Cruces, New Mexico (FIPS 35-39380) beside its water system.
Relief and elevation
The terrain frame for Las Cruces, New Mexico (code 39380, estimate 116,978) is high-desert basins, mesas, mountain ranges, and plateaus; population 116,978 offers scale, not an elevation certificate. Terrain explains why distance need not follow a straight line; reference 35-39380 fixes Las Cruces, New Mexico (rank 262) on the page. State 35 supplies the broader geographic frame; the evidence paired with Las Cruces, New Mexico (latitude 32.32644) notes july and August are the wettest months across much of New Mexico. At regional scale, Las Cruces, New Mexico (FIPS 35-39380) is understood across drainage and terrain; Census key 35-39380 prevents drift.
Settlement pattern
Settlement continues outside the label and code 39380; the incorporated city of Las Cruces, New Mexico (code 39380, estimate 116,978) has a defined identity. The 2025 estimate of 116,978 gives Las Cruces, New Mexico (rank 262) relative scale; population does not draw a municipal edge near code 39380. 32 degrees 19 minutes 35 seconds north still supplies the actual reference point; a broad view near Las Cruces, New Mexico (latitude 32.32644) keeps land, water, and settlement together. The settlement frame for Las Cruces, New Mexico (FIPS 35-39380) begins with New Mexico, next narrows to the Census point at rank 262.
Reading the city map
Rank 262 next gives the plotted place proper scale; a countrywide-to-local sequence introduces Las Cruces, New Mexico (code 39380, estimate 116,978) across New Mexico. Code 39380 guards against a similar name; the Las Cruces, New Mexico (rank 262) reference marker works when direction and scale stay constant. For Las Cruces, New Mexico (latitude 32.32644), drainage offers direction and terrain offers shape; the reference keeps those clues attached to rank 262. Identifier 35-39380 holds scope clear; the wider explanation for Las Cruces, New Mexico (FIPS 35-39380) includes the verified point that the bureau divides New Mexico into six named physiographic provinces.