NORTHERN NEW MEXICO IS DEFINED TO INCLUDE THOSE NORTHERN COUNTIES DOMINATED BY RURAL, SPANISH-AMERICAN CULTURE, GEOGRAPHIC FEATURES AND HISTORICAL ANTECEDENTS ARE DESCRIBED. THE STUDY PRESENTS DATA ON PRESENT ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL CONDITIONS, OBSERVATIONS AS TO CAUSES OF THESE CONDITIONS, INCLUDING REASONS FOR UNSUCCESSFUL GOVERNMENT AND PRIVATE PROGRAMS, AND RECOMMENDATIONS FOR IMPROVEMENT OF CONDITIONS. IT DISCUSSES STATE AND LOCAL PER CAPITA INCOME, DEPENDENCE OF THE AREA ON WELFARE, DIFFERENCE IN CULTURAL VALUES, HISTORIC CULTURE CONFLICTS, AND TRANSITION OF THE PEOPLE FROM AN ECONOMY DEPENDENT ON SELF-CONTAINED VILLAGES TO LOSS OF THEIR LAND HOLDINGS, FORCING AGRICULTURAL MIGRANCY UPON THEM. REASONS CITED FOR FAILURE OF GOVERNMENT AND PRIVATE PROGRAMS IN THE AREA WERE CULTURE CONFLICTS, RIGIDITY OF PROGRAMS, AND FAILURE OF PROGRAMS TO MEET BASIC NEEDS OF THE AREA. RECOMMENDATIONS FOR IMPROVEMENT INCLUDE FLEXIBLE, COMPREHENSIVE PROGRAMS DESIGNED TO THE CONDITIONS OF THIS REGION, UNDERSTANDING BETWEEN CULTURES, DEVELOPMENT AND USE OF NATURAL AND RECREATION RESOURCES, IMPROVEMENTS IN LAND USE AND AGRICULTURAL TECHNIQUES, MARKETING-COOPERATIVE FORMATION, EDUCATIONAL SYSTEM IMPROVEMENT, AND SMALL INDUSTRY DEVELOPMENT. (FS)