Arizona, US (Population: 6,166,318)
State Capital: Phoenix
Major Cities: Phoenix, Tucson, Mesa, Glendale, Scottsdale, Chandler, Tempe, Gilbert, Peoria, Yuma, Flagstaff
State Nickname/Motto: : The Grand Canyon State / Ditat Deus: God Enriches
Statehood Granted: February 14th, 1912
History: Decendants of the Anasazi and Hohkam tribes, the Hopi, Pima, and Papago tribes are the earliest known inhabitants of Arizona. The Navajo and Apache Indians later migrated to this area as well. European exploration and settlement began with the Spanish. Arizona was later gained by Mexico and then lost to the United States as a result of the Mexican War and the Gadsden Purchase. A hot spot for mining and agriculture, Arizona's population grew steadily until the 1950s when it experienced a population boom that continued into the 1990s. Today, only 15% of the land is privately owned; the rest is divided between Native American reservations, government parks and forests and recreation areas.
Geography: Highest Point: Humphrey's Peak: 12,633 feet. Arizona's topography is characterized by desert, mountains and plateau. Arizona is home to the Grand Canyon, one of the seven natural wonders of the world which was carved out by the Colorado River.
Ethnic Diversity: One Race (97.6%), White (76.2%), Black or African American (3.1%), American Indian and Alaska Native (4.7%), Asian (2.2%), Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander (0.1%), other (11.3%), two or more ethnicities (2.4%), Hispanic or Latino (28.6%)*
Famous State People:
Geronimo (1829-1909) Apache leader who led the Apache against US settlers until 1886; born in Clifton.
Linda Ronstadt (1946-) Singer; born in Tuscon.
John McCain (1936-) War hero and Arizona Senator; presidential candidate in 2000.
David Spade (1965-) Actor/comedian; raised in Scottsdale.
Zane Grey (1872-1939) Well-known author of western novels; lives near Payson.
Sandra Day O'Conner (1930-) The first woman appointed to the US Supreme Court (1981).
Cesar Estrada Chavez (1927-1993) Founded and led the first successful farm Union in the US; born in Yuma.
Phil Mickelson (1970-) Professional golfer; lives in Scottsdale.
Steven Spielberg (1946-) Famous film director; raised in Pheonix.
Steward Udall (1920-) Form Secretary of the Interior; born in St. Johns.
State and National Parks: Canyon De Chelly National Monument, Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, Grand Canyon National Park, Montezuma Castle National Monument, Tonto National Monument, Hubbell Trading Post National Historic Site, Lake Mead National Recreation Area, Navajo National Monument, Tuzigoot National Monument, Case Grande Ruins National Monument, Juan Bautista De Anza National Historic Trail, Old Spanish National Historic Trail, Parashant National Monument, Petrified Forest National Park, Chiricahua National Monument, Colorado National Memorial, Pipe Spring National Monument, Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument, Walnut Canyon National Monument, Fort Bowie National Historic Site, Tumacacori National Historic Park, Saguaro National Park, Dead Horse Ranch State Park, Fool Hollow Ranch State Recreation Area, Fort Verde State Historic Park, Homolovi Ruins State Park, Jerome State Historic Park, Lyman Lake State Park, Red Rock State Park, Riordan Mansion State Historic Park, Slide Rock State Park, Tonto Natural Bridge State Park, Alamo State Park, Cattail Cove State Park, Yuma Quartermaster Depot State Historic Park
Major Colleges/Universities: Arizona State University, Northern Arizona University, University of Arizona, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Ottowa University, Prescott College
Misc: Arizona is one of the few states that do not obeserve daylight savings time; with the exception of Navejo lands, the state remains on Mountain Standard Time year-round. With more national parks and monuments than any other state, Arizona also claims more mountains than Switzerland and more golf courses than Scotland. The Navejo Reservation, located mainly in Arizona (it stretches into Utah and New Mexico), is the largest in the country. Arizona is also one of the "four corner" states meaning that you can stand in four states at one time at the borders of Utah, Colorado, New Mexico, and Arizona.
*U.S. Census - 2005