While White Sands Missile Range may not be a top tourist destination, it does offer a variety of attractions. The city is a home to the Missile Range Museum. It is also near other popular cities such as El Paso and Las Cruces.
The White Sands Missile Range is home to a variety of military testing facilities. It was originally established in 1945 as the White Sands Proving Ground. The area also includes the White Sands National Park. In 1982, the space shuttle Columbia landed on the Northrop Strip at WSMR. This would become the only time that a space shuttle landed on U.S. soil. The WSMR is surrounded by the Holloman Air Force Base.
The city is a major hub for the south central New Mexico region. It provides employment opportunities to residents and services to the surrounding unincorporated areas in Dona Ana County. The city also draws individuals from El Paso, Texas and Ciudad Juarez, Mexico. The city is also home to a number of federal employees. Those working in the military have access to high-paying jobs in this area.
The city has a population of over 20,000 people. It is home to the Sacramento and San Andres Mountains, which reach elevations of over 9,000 feet. The city is located at the southern end of the Tularosa Basin and is accessible via U.S. 70 & 82.