New Mexico is a southwestern state inhabited by Native American populations for many centuries, it has also been part of the Imperial Spanish viceroyalty, part of Mexico, and a U.S. territory. New Mexico is the sixth most sparsely inhabited U.S. state. The center of population of New Mexico is located in the town of Manzano. Females make up approximately 50% of the population. The most populous New Mexico cities and towns include: Albuquerque, Las Cruces, Rio Rancho, Santa Fe and Roswell. The Albuquerque metropolitan area is in central New Mexico that covers four counties.