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Nov 9, 2009
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Arizona

Arizona flag

Capital: Phoenix

State abbreviation/Postal code: Ariz./AZ

Governor: Jan Brewer, R (to Jan. 2011)

Senators: Jon Kyl, R (to Jan. 2013); John McCain, R(to Jan. 2011)

U.S. Representatives: 8

Historical biographies of Congressional members

Secy. of State: Ken Bennett, R (to Jan. 2011)

Atty. General: Terry Goddard, D (to Jan. 2011)

Treasurer: Dean Martin, R (to Jan. 2011)

Organized as territory: Feb. 24, 1863

Entered Union (rank): Feb. 14, 1912 (48)

Present constitution adopted: 1911

Motto: Ditat Deus (God enriches)

State symbols:

flowerflower of saguaro cactus (1931)
birdcactus wren (1931)
colorsblue and old gold (1915)
song“Arizona” (1919)
treepalo verde (1954)
neckwearbola tie (1971)
fossilpetrified wood (1988)
gemstoneturquoise (1974)
mammalringtail (1986)
reptileArizona ridgenose rattlesnake (1986)
fishArizona trout (1986)
amphibianArizona tree frog (1986)
butterflytwo-tailed swallowtail (2001)

Nickname: Grand Canyon State

Origin of name: Uncertain. Perhaps from the O'odham Indian word for “little spring”

10 largest cities (2005 est.): Phoenix, 1,461,575; Tucson, 515,526; Mesa, 442,780; Glendale, 239,435; Chandler, 234,939; Scottsdale, 226,013; Gilbert, 173,989; Tempe, 161,143; Peoria, 138,200; Yuma, 84,688

Land area: 113,635 sq mi. (294,315 sq km)

Geographic center: In Yavapai Co., 55 mi. ESE of Prescott

Number of counties: 15

Largest county by population and area: Maricopa, 3,635,528 (2005); Coconino, 18,562 sq mi.

State parks: 28

Residents: Arizonan, Arizonian

2005 resident population est.: 5,939,292

2000 resident census population (rank): 5,130,632 (20). Male: 2,561,057 (49.9%); Female: 2,569,575 (50.1%). White: 3,873,611 (75.5%); Black: 158,873 (3.1%); American Indian: 255,879 (5.0%); Asian: 92,236 (1.8%); Other race: 596,774 (11.6%); Two or more races: 146,526 (2.9%); Hispanic/Latino: 1,295,617 (25.3%). 2000 percent population 18 and over: 73.4; 65 and over: 13.0; median age: 34.2.

See additional census data

Area codes

Tourism office

Map of Arizona
Map of Arizona

Marcos de Niza, a Spanish Franciscan friar, was the first European to explore Arizona. He entered the area in 1539 in search of the mythical Seven Cities of Gold. Although he was followed a year later by another gold seeker, Francisco Vásquez de Coronado, most of the early settlement was for missionary purposes. In 1775 the Spanish established Fort Tucson. In 1848, after the Mexican War, most of the Arizona territory became part of the U.S., and the southern portion of the territory was added by the Gadsden Purchase in 1853.

Arizona history is rich in legends of America's Old West. It was here that the great Indian chiefs Geronimo and Cochise led their people against the frontiersmen. Tombstone, Ariz., was the site of the West's most famous shoot-out—the gunfight at the O.K. Corral. Today, Arizona has one of the largest U.S. Indian populations; more than 14 tribes are represented on 20 reservations.

Manufacturing has become Arizona's most important industry. Principal products include electrical, communications, and aeronautical items. The state produces over half of the country's copper. Agriculture is also important to the state's economy. Top commodities are cattle and calves, dairy products, and cotton. In 1973 one of the world's most massive dams, the New Cornelia Tailings, was completed near Ajo.

State attractions include the Grand Canyon, the Petrified Forest, the Painted Desert, Hoover Dam, Lake Mead, Fort Apache, and the reconstructed London Bridge at Lake Havasu City.

See more on Arizona:
Encyclopedia: Arizona
Encyclopedia: Geography
Encyclopedia: Economy
Encyclopedia: Government
Encyclopedia: History
Monthly Temperature Extremes

Accredited Colleges and Universities

All U.S. States: Geography & Climate
Printable Outline Maps
Record Highest Temperatures
Record Lowest Temperatures
Highest, Lowest, and Mean Elevations
Land and Water Area

All U.S. States: Population & Economy
Historical Population Statistics, 1790–Present
Per Capita Personal Income
Minimum Wage Rates
State Taxes
Federal Government Expenditure
Percent of People in Poverty
Births and Birth Rates
Homeownership
Percentage of Uninsured by State

All U.S. States: Society & Culture:
Most Livable States
Healthiest States
Most Dangerous States
Smartest States
Crime Index
Residency Requirements for Voting
Compulsory School Attendance Laws
Driving Laws
National Public Radio Stations

Selected famous natives and residents:

  • Apache Kid Indian outlaw;
  • Carl Trumbull Hayden politician;
  • George W. P. Hunt first state governor;
  • Bill Keane cartoonist;
  • Frank Luke, Jr. WWI fighter ace;
  • Carlos Montezuma doctor and Indian spokesman;
  • William O'Neill frontier sheriff;
  • Alexander M. Patch general;
  • Pauline Weaver frontier person;

Information Please® Database, © 2007 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

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