Weather

It's sunset in Arizona.  The clouds brush like wings across the vast sky.  You can almost see the huge bird lifting itself high into the heavens.  A better name could never be found! 

Ahh...but once, it was called Pumpkinville.  In 1867 an enterprising farmer figured that he might irrigate the valley's barren stretches by resurrecting 1,000-year-old Hohokam Indian water canals leading from the Salt River.  Lush fields of pumpkins and barley popped up.  The production was so impressive, folks named the area Pumpkinville.  By 1870, some of the area's 300 residents figured the name was too hokey.  They had bigger expectations.  They envisioned a new city would eventually arise from the opening of these ancient Hohokam canal ruins.  And just as the mythical phoenix rose from its own ashes, so would a city from the desert. The name Phoenix was chosen!  

Indeed a city did arise.  But don't many (or most) people still think of Arizona as a desert...as in, a wasteland?? 

Actually Arizona is hugely agricultural!  Its principal crops include the corn, beans and squash grown here by the Hohokam Indians, but also cotton, lettuce, cauliflowers, broccoli, and sorghum.  Vast grasslands dot the state producing cattle, calves, and dairy goods.  Apples, grapes, olives, citrus fruits, melons, tomatoes, pecans, potatoes are commercially grown here, too! 

Manufacturing is the leading economic activity, with electronics, printing and publishing, processed foods, and aerospace and transportation leading sectors.  High-technology research and development, communications, and service industries are also important, as are construction (the state is rapidly growing) and tourism.  Military facilities contributing to Arizona's economy include Fort Huachuca, Luke and Davis-Monthan Air Force bases, and the Yuma Proving Grounds.  Testing and training with military aircraft and desert storage of commercial and military planes are both major military activities. 

Arizona abounds in minerals.  Copper is the state's most valuable mineral.  Arizona leads the nation in its production. Other leading resources are molybdenum, sand, gravel, and cement. Gold and silver mining is here, too.

Between 1940 and 1960, Arizona's slowly population doubled, and since then, growth has mushroomed.  By the 2000 census the cumulative increase since 1940 amounted to more than 1,000%.  Arizona is ranked among the fastest growing states in the nation.  The mountainous north, however, has not shared the population growth of the southern, sunnier sections of the state. 

There is SO much to do and see in Arizona!

We have National Monuments, forests, mountains, caves and other geological wonders, a mosaic of cultures and events, military history and famed Old West tales and towns, air museums, observatories, golfing, skiing, boating, fishing, day-trip visits to deserted mines and ghost towns, colorful art communities, botanical gardens, hiking, horseback riding, and back-trail outdoor recreation.  Just to name a few!

Come see our vistas, grasp Arizona's vast and varied charm and enjoy the peace life can bring at its most awesome!     

Area:                                113,909 sq mi (295,024 sq km).
 
Population:                       [2000 Census] = 5,130,632 a 40% increase since the 1990 census.
 
Capital and largest city:    City of Phoenix.

Largest County:                 Maricopa County.  Maricopa includes what is considered the Phoenix Valley aka The Valley of the Sun.  Most of the best-known cities in Arizona are clustered together here in Maricopa County in the center of the State and actually border each other, with no obvious separations.

Nickname:                        Grand Canyon State, Copper State.
 
Motto:                               Ditat Deus [God Enriches].
 
State bird:                         Cactus Wren.
 
State flower:                      Saguaro cactus blossom.
 
State tree:                          Palo Verde.