Arizona

Capital: Phoenix

State abbreviation/Postal code: Ariz./AZ

Governor: Jan Brewer, R (to Jan. 2015)

Senators: Jon Kyl, R (to Jan. 2013); John McCain, R (to Jan. 2017)

U.S. Representatives: 8

Historical biographies of Congressional members

Secy. of State: Ken Bennett, R (to Jan. 2015)

Atty. General: Tom Horne, R (to Jan. 2015)

Treasurer: Doug Ducey, R (to Jan. 2015)

Organized as territory: Feb. 24, 1863

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

Present constitution adopted: 1911

Motto: Ditat Deus (God enriches)

State symbols:

flower	flower of saguaro cactus (1931)
bird	cactus wren (1931)
colors	blue and old gold (1915)
song	“Arizona” (1919)
tree	palo verde (1954)
neckwear	bola tie (1971)
fossil	petrified wood (1988)
gemstone	turquoise (1974)
mammal	ringtail (1986)
reptile	Arizona ridgenose rattlesnake (1986)
fish	Arizona trout (1986)
amphibian	Arizona tree frog (1986)
butterfly	two-tailed swallowtail (2001)

Nickname: Grand Canyon State

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

10 largest cities (2010): Phoenix, 1,445,632; Tucson, 520,116; Mesa, 439,041; Chandler, 236,123; Glendale, 226,721;Scottsdale, 217,385; Gilbert, 208,453; Tempe, 161,719; Peoria, 154,065; Yuma, 90,041

Land area: 113,595 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

2010 resident population: 6,392,017

2010 resident census population (rank): 6,392,017 (16). Male: 3,175,823 (49.9%); Female: 3,216,194 (50.1%). White: 4,667,121 (57.8%); Black: 259,008 (4.1%); American Indian: 296,529 (4.6%); Asian: 176,695 (2.8%);Other race: 761,716 (11.9%); Two or more races: 218,300 (3.4%); Hispanic/Latino: 1,895,149 (29.6%). 2010 population 18 and over: 4,763,003; 65 and over: 881,831; median age: 35.0.

See additional census data

Area codes

Tourism office

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
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