- The Arizona state constitution of 1911 described the state seal, which replaced earlier territorial …
- Mather Point overlooks a spectacular view on the south rim of the Grand Canyon, in Grand Canyon …
Arizona is known as the Grand Canyon State because of the amazing gorge found in the northern part of the state. The Grand Canyon is one of the most famous natural wonders in the United States. It attracts visitors from around the world. The state got its name from Indian words meaning “little spring.” The Spanish first used the name for a mining camp. Geography - The Colorado Plateau covers much of northern Arizona. The region is marked by many gorges, …
Arizona is located in the southwestern part of the United States. With a total area of 114,000 square miles (295,260 square kilometers), it is the nation's sixth largest state. The Colorado River separates Arizona from Nevada and California to the west. Arizona is also bordered by Utah on the north, New Mexico on the east, and Mexico on the south. Mountains run across the state from northwest to southeast. To the south of the mountains is a large area of desert plains, valleys, and smaller mountain ranges. Plants and animalsCacti grow well in Arizona's dry environment. The state flower is the blossom of the saguaro, a giant cactus that may grow to be 50 feet (15 meters) high. The state tree is the paloverde, which means “green stick” in Spanish. Coyotes, mountain lions, deer, antelopes, and wildcats are found in the north. The southern desert is home to scorpions, tarantulas, and Gila monsters (a poisonous lizard). There are also rattlesnakes, other reptiles, and a large variety of birds. The state bird is the cactus wren. People and cultureArizona has been home to Native Americans for thousands of years. When Spanish explorers and gold-seekers arrived in the 16th century, they found a number of peoples, including the Hopi, Papago, and Pima. Later, the Apache, Navajo, and other tribes arrived. By the end of the 20th century, most of the state's Native Americans lived on reservations or in small towns and villages. Gold and silver discoveries in the 1850s brought in white settlers. The opening of the transcontinental railroad in the 1880s brought more people. In 2000, Arizona had a population of more than 5 million. About a quarter of Arizona's people were Hispanic, mainly of Mexican heritage, and nearly three quarters were non-Hispanic whites. African Americans made up about 3 percent of the population, and Native Americans made up about 5 percent. Many people who live in other places during the rest of the year have homes in Arizona that they come to during winter months. They are often called snowbirds because they head for Arizona when other states are being hit with snow and cold weather. CitiesPhoenix is Arizona's largest city as well as its capital. Most of Arizona's people live in the southern half of the state. Other major cities include Scottsdale, Mesa, Glendale, Avendale, and Tempe. Sun City is a well-known retirement spot. RecreationArizona's mountains, plateaus, and deserts include some of the most beautiful scenery in the nation. In addition to the Grand Canyon, other popular attractions are the Painted Desert (which gets its name from brilliantly colored rock formations) and Petrified Forest National Park. Arizona has more national parks and monuments than any other state. The state's professional sports teams include the Arizona Diamondbacks (baseball), the Arizona Cardinals (football), the Phoenix Suns (men's basketball), and the Phoenix Mercury (women's basketball). Many major league baseball teams host their spring training camps in Arizona. EducationThe first schools in the state were founded by Roman Catholic missionaries from Mexico. No public school existed until 1871, after Arizona had become a territory of the United States. One of the nation's largest schools in terms of the number of students who attend is Arizona State University. The main campus is located in Tempe, with branch campuses at Mesa and Phoenix. Other major public schools include the University of Arizona (in Tucson) and Northern Arizona University (in Flagstaff). EconomyArizona grows a large amount of cotton and citrus fruit. Hay, corn, vegetables, and melons are also grown. Cattle are raised on large ranches. Arizona's factories produce processed foods, aircraft, transportation equipment, and electronic equipment. Tourism, focusing on the Grand Canyon, is another major industry. Arizona has important open-pit copper mines. Some gold, silver, and nickel are also found in the state. HistoryScientists have found evidence that there were groups of people living in what is now Arizona as long as 10,000 years ago. During the past 2,000 years, prehistoric peoples developed highly organized and advanced societies in the region. This group of prehistoric cultures includes the Hohokam, Anasazi, Mogollon, Sinagua, and Patayan. Arrival of the SpanishIn 1539 a Roman Catholic priest named Marcos de Niza claimed the land for Spain. He was followed by other religious people and adventurers coming north from Mexico, and for nearly 300 years the Spanish continued to explore the territory and to establish permanent residences there. In 1692 the mission of San Xavier del Bac was founded near present-day Tucson. A fort was built there in 1776. The area was ruled by Mexico as part of the territory of New Mexico after Mexico gained independence from Spain in 1821. Arizona Territory becomes a stateMexico lost the territory to the United States following the Mexican War of 1846–48. Arizona became a separate territory in 1863, when it was officially separated from New Mexico. Phoenix was made the capital of Arizona in 1869. Discoveries of gold, silver, and copper drew settlers from the East. There were silver mines near Tombstone, but the state's several copper mines were more successful in the long run. Arizona joined the Union as the 48th state in 1912. Modern stateWorld War II was a turning point in the state's history. Thousands of soldiers trained at military bases in Arizona. After the war, many of them returned to live there with their families. During the war new factories, better roads, and new airfields were built in Arizona. In the late 20th century Arizona was one of the country's fastest-growing states. Between 1990 and 2000, the population increased by more than 40 percent. This figure is well above the national average for that time period. Population (2000 census), 5,130,632. |