The City of Belen, which means "Bethleham" in Spanish, was established in the late 19th century as a railway town as a stop on the famed Santa Fe Railroad. Today the railways remain a vital part of the community and as many as a hundred trains can go through this city within a day!

But Belen is more than just trains and railways, this charming little city, which is part of central New Mexico's Valencia County, has agriculture as its main fuel for its local economy. Agricultural products includes chille, grains, legumes, a variety of fruits and nuts, and dairy farming.

Belen is situated along the western banks of the legendary Rio Grande River and is located 40 miles south of Albuqueque along Interstate Highway 25. One can enjoy Belen's attractions such as the Belen State Waterfowl Area, which is home to a high species diversity of ducks, geese, and other aquatic birds. Belen is also not to far from the historic route - El Camino Real.

Belen is a great place to live with its cozy small rural hometown environs, which benefits from having big city amenities. Many schools exists in Belen including seven elementary schools, two high schools, one parochial schools, and two private schools.