Arizona

Basic Information

Arizona, located in the southwestern United States, is known for its stunning desert landscapes and rich cultural history.

Capital

• Phoenix

Largest City

• Phoenix

Area

• 113,990 sq mi

Population

• 7.28 million (2020)

Demographics

Arizona's population is diverse, with a significant Hispanic and Native American presence.

Ethnic Composition

• White:54.4%
• Hispanic:31.7%
• Native American:5.4%
• African American:5.2%
• Asian:3.6%

Languages

• English:72.9%
• Spanish:21.6%
• Native American Languages:2.8%
• Other:2.7%

Age Distribution

• Under 18:23.3%
• 18-64:61.4%
• 65+:15.3%

Population Growth

• Annual Rate:1.3%
• Natural Increase:50,000
• Migration:45,000

Economy

Arizona's economy is driven by tourism, aerospace, manufacturing, and mining, among other sectors.

GDP

• $401 billion (2022)

Major Industries

• Tourism
• Aerospace
• Manufacturing
• Mining

Employment Rate

• Employed:95.6%
• Unemployment:4.4%

Major Companies

• Honeywell Aerospace
• Freeport-McMoRan
• Republic Services
• Avnet

Climate

Arizona has an arid to semi-arid climate with hot summers and mild winters, varying across the state.

Northern Arizona

• Avg. Summer:85°F
• Avg. Winter:40°F
• Rainfall:15 inches/year

Central Arizona

• Avg. Summer:105°F
• Avg. Winter:50°F
• Rainfall:10 inches/year

Southern Arizona

• Avg. Summer:100°F
• Avg. Winter:55°F
• Rainfall:12 inches/year

Visiting Arizona

Arizona offers a variety of attractions, from natural wonders to historical sites, making it a diverse destination for visitors.

Best Time to Visit

• Spring:March-May
• Fall:September-November
• Peak Season:October-April (for snowbirds)

Transportation

• Major Airports:2
• Train Routes:Amtrak Southwest Chief
• Highway System:80,000 miles

Accommodation

• Hotels:7,000+
• Camping Sites:20,000+
• Average Hotel Rate:$130/night

Tourist Information

• Visitor Centers:30+
• Tourism Website:Arizona Office of Tourism
• Info Hotline:1-866-275-5816

Popular Attractions

Arizona's attractions range from natural wonders to historical sites.

Natural Landmarks

• Grand Canyon National Park
• Sedona's Red Rocks
• Saguaro National Park
• Monument Valley

Historical Sites

• Tombstone
• Mission San Xavier del Bac
• Navajo National Monument
• London Bridge (Lake Havasu City)

Urban Attractions

• Phoenix Art Museum
• Scottsdale's Old Town
• Biosphere 2
• Heard Museum

Engineering Marvels

• Hoover Dam
• Glen Canyon Dam
• Meteor Crater

History

Arizona's history is marked by early Native American settlements, Spanish exploration, territorial status, and statehood.

Early History

• Native Peoples:12,000+ years
• Spanish Exploration:1540
• Mexican Territory:1821

19th Century

• Gadsden Purchase:1853
• Territorial Status:1863
• Mining Boom

20th Century

• Statehood:1912
• World War II Impact
• Tourism Growth

Recent History

• Urban Expansion
• Technological Development
• Cultural Preservation

State Symbols

Arizona has adopted various official state symbols that represent its natural and cultural heritage.

State Animals

• State Animal:

  Ringtail
• State Bird:

  Cactus Wren
• State Fish:

  Apache Trout
• State Reptile:

  Arizona Ridge-Nosed Rattlesnake

State Plants

• State Flower:

  Saguaro Blossom
• State Tree:

  Palo Verde

Cultural Symbols

• State Colors:

  Blue and Gold
• State Song:

  "Arizona"
• State Motto:

  "Ditat Deus" (God Enriches)

Other Symbols

• State Gemstone:

  Turquoise
• State Fossil:

  Petrified Wood

State Facts

Interesting and unique facts about Arizona that showcase its distinctive character and achievements.

Geographic Facts

• Highest Point:

  Humphreys Peak (12,633 ft)
• Longest River:

  Colorado River
• Largest Lake:

  Roosevelt Lake
• Lowest Point:

  Colorado River (70 ft)

Records & Rankings

• Home to the Grand Canyon
• Most national parks and monuments
• Significant Native American populations

Notable Firsts

• First air-conditioned shopping mall (Phoenix)
• Significant contributions to astronomy
• Early development of copper mining

Unique Features

• Diverse desert landscapes
• Rich Native American cultural heritage
• Growing urban centers and tourism

Government & Politics

Arizona has a constitutionally mandated structure encompassing Executive, Legislative, and Judicial branches.

Governor

• Katie Hobbs (as of 2023)

Legislature

• Bicameral:State Senate and House of Representatives

Political Trends

• Historically Republican, shifting trends

Key Political Issues

• Water Rights
• Immigration
• Education Funding
• Economic Development

Time Zones

Arizona observes Mountain Standard Time (MST) year-round, without daylight saving time.

Standard Time

• Mountain Standard Time (MST, UTC -7)

Daylight Saving

• Does not observe daylight saving time

Education

Arizona has a public education system that includes K-12 schools, community colleges, and universities.

Major Public Systems

• Arizona State University (ASU)
• University of Arizona (UA)
• Northern Arizona University (NAU)

Notable Private Institutions

• Grand Canyon University (GCU)
• Prescott College

K-12 System

• Public school system with local control

Key Educational Initiatives

• Charter school growth
• STEM education focus
• Tribal education initiatives

Culture & Festivals

Arizona's cultural scene is rich with Native American traditions, Western heritage, and diverse arts festivals.

Major Festivals

• Arizona State Fair
• Scottsdale Arts Festival
• Celebration of Fine Art (Scottsdale)
• Various Native American cultural events

Music & Arts

• Heard Museum (Native American art)
• Phoenix Art Museum
• Various local art walks and events

Regional Traditions

• Western lifestyle and rodeos
• Native American cultural celebrations
• Outdoor recreational activities

Sports & Teams

Arizona has a strong sports culture, with professional teams and significant local interest.

MLB Teams

• Arizona Diamondbacks

NFL Teams

• Arizona Cardinals

NBA Teams

• Phoenix Suns

NHL Teams

• Arizona Coyotes

Notable Sporting Events

• Phoenix Open (PGA Tour)
• Spring Training baseball
• Various college sports events

Cuisine & Local Specialties

Arizona cuisine features Mexican-inspired dishes, Southwestern flavors, and Native American culinary traditions.

Signature Dishes

• Sonoran Hot Dogs
• Fry Bread (Native American)
• Chimichangas
• Prickly Pear products

Mexican Cuisine

• Authentic Mexican and Sonoran dishes
• Tacos, burritos, and enchiladas

Agricultural Products

• Citrus fruits, dates, pecans, cotton
• Various locally grown vegetables

Local Markets

• Farmers markets in major cities
• Local food festivals

Infrastructure

Arizona's infrastructure includes transportation networks, water management systems, and energy facilities.

Highway System

• Extensive network of state and interstate highways

Public Transportation

• Light rail in Phoenix
• Regional airports and Amtrak services

Water Management

• Colorado River water allocation
• Aqueducts and water storage systems

Energy & Utilities

• Mix of natural gas, nuclear, and solar power
• Water and sewage systems managed by local governments

Notable Historical Figures

Arizona has produced many influential figures in history, arts, and sciences.

Historical Leaders

• Geronimo (Native American leader)
• Barry Goldwater (politician)
• Sandra Day O'Connor (Supreme Court Justice)

Arts & Sciences

• Frank Lloyd Wright (architect, winter home in AZ)
• Linda Ronstadt (singer)
• Clyde Tombaugh (astronomer)

Political Figures

• John McCain (U.S. Senator)
• Mo Udall (U.S. Representative)
• Raul Grijalva (U.S. Representative)

State Government Services

Arizona provides a range of public services through various state agencies.

Health Services

• AHCCCS (Medicaid), KidsCare

Social Services

• Food assistance, welfare programs

Environmental Agencies

• Arizona Department of Environmental Quality

Parks & Recreation

• State parks and recreational areas
• Wildlife management and conservation

Key Historical Documents & Landmarks

Historic documents and sites reflect Arizona's journey through territorial status and statehood.

State Constitution

• Original 1912 Constitution
• Current constitution with amendments

Historical Sites

• Tombstone
• Mission San Xavier del Bac
• Navajo National Monument

Archival Repositories

• Arizona State Library, Archives and Public Records
• University of Arizona Libraries

Environmental Initiatives

Arizona focuses on water conservation, air quality, and protection of its natural resources.

Water Conservation

• Drought management and water efficiency
• Groundwater and surface water management

Air Quality

• Emissions monitoring and control
• Efforts to reduce dust and pollution

Conservation Programs

• Wildlife habitat protection
• State park preservation

Major Events & Conferences

Arizona hosts various events and conferences that highlight its culture, industries, and natural attractions.

Cultural Events

• Arizona State Fair
• Scottsdale Arts Festival
• Various Native American cultural events

Sports Events

• Phoenix Open (PGA Tour)
• Spring Training baseball
• Various college sports events

Trade Shows

• Aerospace and defense industry conferences
• Mining and resources industry expos

Outdoor Events

• Hiking and outdoor recreation festivals
• Stargazing events in dark sky locations