Las Cruces, New Mexico lies in the Mesilla Valley between the Organ Mountains and the Rio Grande River. The region, rich in agriculture due to the fertile soils provided by the flood plains of the Rio Grande River, is also one of the most popular destinations in the Southwestern United States. Las Cruces is also a college town -- home to New Mexico State University.
Las Cruces is also a strategic US Military location. White Sands is a military testing facility that is used by the United States Army, Air Force and NASA to evaluate potentially harmful materials, space-flight components and rocket engines. The base is also rocket and bomb testing range. In addition to the military, private industries and universities can use the facilities.