About the Grand Canyon State
Admitted to the Union in 1912, Arizona is the United States' 48th state. Take one look at the natural and cultural resources in the Grand Canyon state, and you'll wonder why the nation took so long to bring this one into the fold. The state's residents tend to be a fairly independent lot, especially those who live in the rural areas.
The Facts
Arizona became the 48th state in the Union on Valentine's Day, 1912. At the time, its copper resources made it a very desirable addition; the copper star in the center of the state's flag attests to the significance of the metal in Arizona. In the past, Arizona school children learned the 5 Cs, those things that make Arizona such a desirable spot on earth: climate, copper, citrus, cotton and cattle. Today's C's might include chips (computer) and Canyon (Grand). This land of wide-open spaces, towering mountain peaks and huge metropolitan areas continues to attract visitors and settlers alike. The state's population was estimated at nearly 6 million in 2005. Over half the state's residents live in the Valley of the Sun, which includes Phoenix, the state capitol. Several professional sports franchises also make their home in the Valley: the NBA's Phoenix Suns; MLB's Arizona Diamondbacks; the Arizona Cardinals of the NFL; and the NHL's Phoenix Coyotes. The state bird is the cactus wren and the state flower is the Saguaro cactus blossom.
History of
Human settlement in the Grand Canyon State goes back several thousand years, to the Hohokam, Mogollon and Anasazi peoples. By 1200, they began to disappear, but they left behind distinct architecture, pottery and irrigated farming. By 1300, Apache and Navajo groups migrated to the state. In the 1500s, the Spanish took an interest in the area. Francisco Vasquez de Coronado passed through Arizona in search of the fabled Seven Cities of Gold, and Franciscan missionaries worked to convert the native people to Christianity. In the 1800s, Mountain Men hunting beaver explored Arizona's rivers. The terms that settled the Mexican War (1847-48) ceded much of Arizona to the United States; at the time, it was part of Mexico. Gold rushes brought more settlers to the area. In 1863, President Abraham Lincoln created Arizona Territory.
Geography
Arizona ranges in elevation from approximately 70 ft. to more than 12,600 ft. above sea level. It has a number of distinct geographic regions. The Sonoran Desert covers much of southern and central Arizona; temperatures are almost always in the 100s during the day in summer, while wintertime temperatures in the 70s lure thousands of snowbirds to spend the winter months away from the cold and snow of home. To the north, the elevation on the north rim of the Grand Canyon is 8300 ft.; snow flies in the winter, to the delight of skiers and snow machine enthusiasts. The Colorado River flows from Glen Canyon Dam, on the state's northern border, through the Grand Canyon, and southward along the state's western edge.
Features
The Grand Canyon State has many features galore, perhaps the most well known of which is the Grand Canyon. Millions of people visit the Canyon every year to enjoy a chance to gaze a mile deep into the earth. London Bridge moved to Arizona in 1971 and now stands proudly in Lake Havasu City. The town of Tombstone has been immortalized in several feature films. Sedona is well-known to New Agers as a place of spiritual healing. The city of Tucson claims to be the oldest continuously inhabited city in the United States, thanks to its ancient Hohokam residents. Three major universities, Arizona State University, Northern Arizona University, and the University of Arizona, provide world class education for Arizonans and students from around the globe. Arizona is one of the Four Corners states; unique in the United States, this spot marks the place where Arizona, New Mexico, Colorado, and Utah come together.
Misconceptions
Arizona is not universally hot and dry. While the desert does have its arid spell, by mid-June, the state experiences a weather cycle known locally as "Monsoon." The humidity rises, the temperature rises, and most people stay indoors until mid-September. Summers in the high country are lovely, however, with highs usually in the 80s. When the snow flies in the north, many winter visitors head to Arizona's deserts, where winter temperatures range in the 60s and 70s and it rarely freezes.
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