Arizona

Arizona

The state of Arizona has an interesting history, diverse geography and climate, a thriving economy and lots of interesting and enriching places to visit.

Arizona is in the Southwestern United States. It borders the states of California, Utah, New Mexico and Sonora, Mexico.

History

Its original inhabitants were Native Americans, among them early cultures such as the Pueblan, Hohokam and Mogollon cultures.

Spanish missionaries and explorers began to arrive in what is now Arizona in the 1540’s and colonists began to settle in the area after 1752, when the Spanish government established forts at Tubac and Tucson.

After Mexico won its independence in 1821, Arizona became part of Mexico known as “Nueva California.” It became part of the United States after the U.S. – Mexico War in 1846, and in 1848 the Gadsden Purchase established the state’s southern boundary with Mexico.

It became a territory in February 1863 and became the 48th state of the United States on February 14, 1912.

Geography and climate

Arizona is the sixth-largest state in terms of land mass and the 14th most populous.

The state’s climate varies from the Sonoran Desert environment in the south to a more varied climate in the north that has four seasons, including snow in the wintertime.

The state’s geographic diversity encompasses deserts, mountains, canyons and forests.

Approximately 25 percent of the land in Arizona is owned by the state’s Native American tribes, including the O’odham and Navajo nations.

Another 40 percent of Arizona’s land is owned by the federal government.

Population and Cities

About 80 percent of Arizona residents – 5.5 million out of 7 million – live in the metro areas of the Phoenix and Tucson.

Major cities in the Phoenix metro area include Peoria, Glendale, Scottsdale, Tempe, Chandler, Gilbert, Goodyear, Buckeye, Avondale, Paradise Valley, Sun City, Sun City West, Tolleson and Litchfield Park.

Cities in the Tucson metro area include Oro Valley, Vail, Fountain Hills, Sahuarita and Marana.

Cities and towns on or near the Mexican border include Douglas, Bisbee, Sierra Vista, Nogales, Sasabe, San Luis and Yuma.

Other notable Arizona cities and towns include Sedona, Prescott, Flagstaff, Lake Havasu, Kingman, Surprise, Casa Grande, Tombstone, Cottonwood, Payson, Quartzite, Prescott Valley, Wickenburg, Winslow, Page, Bullhead City and Green Valley.

Economy

The major Arizona economic sectors are retail, finance, services, tourism, manufacturing and construction.

Agriculture accounts for less than 2 percent of the state gross domestic product (GDP) and mining is less than one percent of the state’s GDP.

Summary

The state of Arizona has an abundant variety of landscapes, environments, historical sites, shopping and other aspects of the state to enjoy.

It has world-class universities, professional sports teams and an active arts scene.

And Arizona also has thriving industrial, tourism, retail and services sectors that continue to boost the state’s economy and potential for visitors, investors and cross-border relationships.