Route 66 - Albuquerque, New Mexico

The origins of Albuquerque's strange name are as fascinating as its history. You could be forgiven for thinking that it's a Native American place name or a word that describes some feature of the surrounding landscape. However, it was named after Francisco, Duke of Alburquerque, who, in one surviving portrait, had an incredible moustache. Alburquerque (with the extra 'r') is close to the Portuguese border in Spain and was a Moorish colony in the 8th century.

Looking into the meaning of the name, it becomes clear that Latin and Arabic have some similarities - the Latin source would appear to come from albus quercus (white oak), and the Arabic from Abu al-Qurq (father of the oak). The border town in Spain was - and still is - a major player in the Spanish cork industry, with coats of arms depicting a white cork oak.

Albuquerque Old Town doesn't look much different today from when it was built in the 18th century. The town was founded in 1706, and the San Felipe de Neri Church, dating from 1793, is the oldest building in the city. The buildings have a particularly Spanish/Arabic flavour, with flat roofs and covered porches. The Old Town area is still home to many of the descendants of the town founders.