State of Arizona
Flag of Arizona Seal Nickname(s): The Grand Canyon State, The Copper State Motto(s): Ditat Deus ("God enriches") Before Statehood Known as The Arizona Territory
Official language(s)	English
Spoken language(s)	English 74.1%, Spanish 19.5%, Navajo 1.9%
Demonym	Arizonan
Capital	Phoenix
Largest city	Phoenix
Largest metro area	Phoenix Metropolitan Area
Area	Ranked 6th in the US
- Total	113,998 sq mi (295,254 km²)
- Width	310 miles (500 km)
- Length	400 miles (645 km)
- % water	0.32
- Latitude	31° 20′ N to 37° N
- Longitude	109° 3′ W to 114° 49′ W
Population	Ranked 16th in the US
- Total	6,338,666
- Density	45.2/sq mi  17.43/km² (36th in the US)
Elevation
- Highest point	Humphreys Peak[1] 12,633 ft  (3,851 m)
- Mean	4,100 ft  (1,250 m)
- Lowest point	Colorado River[1] 70 ft  (22 m)
Admission to Union	February 14, 1912 (48th)
Governor	Janet Napolitano (D)
Lieutenant Governor	None[2]
U.S. Senators	John McCain (R) Jon Kyl (R)
Congressional Delegation	List
Time zones
- Most of State	Mountain: UTC-7
- Navajo Nation	Mountain: UTC-7/-6
Abbreviations	AZ Ariz. US-AZ
Website	www.az.gov

Arizona State Symbols
Living Symbols
-Amphibian	Arizona Tree Frog
-Bird	Cactus Wren
-Butterfly	Two-tailed Swallowtail
-Fish	Apache trout
-Flower	Saguaro Cactus blossom
-Insect	Two-tailed Swallowtail
-Mammal	Ring-tailed Cat
-Reptile	Arizona Ridge-Nosed Rattlesnake
-Tree	Palo verde
Colors	Blue, Old Gold
Fossil	Petrified wood
Gemstone	Turquoise
Mineral	Fire Agate
Rock	Petrified wood
Ship(s)	USS Arizona
Slogan(s)	The Grand Canyon State
Soil	Casa Grande
Song(s)	Arizona, Arizona March Song
Route Marker(s)
Quarter	2008
See Also

Arizona Portal

The State of Arizona (IPA: /ˌeɪrɪˈzoʊnə/) is a state located in the southwestern region of the United States of America. The capital and largest city is Phoenix. The five next largest cities are Tucson, Mesa, Chandler, Glendale, and Scottsdale^[3]. Arizona was the 48th and last of the contiguous states admitted to the Union on February 14, 1912.^[4] Arizona is noted for its desert climate, exceptionally hot summers and mild winters, but the high country in the north features pine forests and mountain ranges with cooler weather than the lower deserts. New population figures for the year ending July 1, 2006 indicate that Arizona was at that time the fastest growing state in the United States, exceeding the growth of the previous leader, Nevada. Image File history File links Flag_of_Arizona. ... Image File history File links State Seal of Arizona from US Mission to Germany This image depicts a seal, an emblem, a coat of arms or a crest. ... See also: Arizona flag history Categories: Stub | U.S. state flags | Arizona ... The Arizona State Seal was adopted in 1911. ... This is a list of U.S. state nicknames -- both official and traditional (official state nicknames are in bold). ... This article is about the canyon in the southwestern United States. ... Here is a list of state mottos for the states of the United States. ... Ditat Deus (Latin God enriches) is a state motto of Arizona. ... Please wikify (format) this article as suggested in the Guide to layout and the Manual of Style. ... Image File history File links Map_of_USA_AZ.svg‎ File links The following pages on the English Wikipedia link to this file (pages on other projects are not listed): Arizona ... The United States does not have an official language, but English is spoken by about 82% of the population as a native language. ... The English language is a West Germanic language that originates in England. ... // Although the United States currently has no official language, it is largely monolingual with English being the de facto national language. ... The English language is a West Germanic language that originates in England. ... Reading Adahooniigii — The Navajo Language Monthly Navajo or Navaho (native name: Diné bizaad) is an Athabaskan language (of Na-Dené stock) spoken in the southwest United States by the Navajo people (Diné). It is geographically and linguistically one of the Southern Athabaskan languages (the majority of Athabaskan languages are spoken... A demonym or gentilic is a word that denotes the members of a people or the inhabitants of a place. ... Independence Hall in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, site of first U.S. capital. ... Nickname: Location in Maricopa County and the state of Arizona Coordinates: , Country State County Maricopa Incorporated February 25, 1881 Government  - Type Council-Manager  - Mayor Phil Gordon (D) Area  - City  515. ... Nickname: Location in Maricopa County and the state of Arizona Coordinates: , Country State County Maricopa Incorporated February 25, 1881 Government  - Type Council-Manager  - Mayor Phil Gordon (D) Area  - City  515. ... In the United States, the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has produced a formal definition of metropolitan areas. ... The Phoenix metropolitan area, also known as the Valley of the Sun, is a metropolitan area that includes the City of Phoenix, much of the rest of Maricopa County, a large section of Pinal County, and small parts of southern Yavapai County. ... This article is about the physical quantity. ... This is a complete list of the states of the United States ordered by total area, land area, and water area. ... A square mile is an English unit of area equal to that of a square with sides each 1 statute mile (≈1,609 m) in length. ... Square kilometre (U.S. spelling: square kilometer), symbol km², is a decimal multiple of SI unit of surface area square metre, one of the SI derived units. ... “km” redirects here. ... Map of states populations (2007) This is a list of states of the United States by population (with inhabited non-state jurisdictions included for comparison) as of July 1, 2007, according to the 2007 estimates of the United States Census Bureau. ... Map of states showing population density This is a list of the 50 U.S. states, ordered by population density. ... This is a list of United States states by elevation. ... Humphreys Peak is the highest point in the U.S. state of Arizona and is located in Coconino County. ... The Colorado River from the bottom of Marble Canyon, in the Upper Grand Canyon Colorado River in the Grand Canyon from Desert View The Colorado River from Laughlin Horseshoe Bend is a horseshoe-shaped meander of the Colorado River located near the town of Page, Arizona The Colorado River is... The order which the original 13 states ratified the constitution, then the order that the others were admitted to the union This is a list of U.S. states by date of statehood, that is, the date when each U.S. state joined the Union. ... is the 45th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... 1912 (MCMXII) was a leap year starting on Monday in the Gregorian calendar (or a leap year starting on Tuesday in the 13-day-slower Julian calendar). ... For other uses, see Governor (disambiguation). ... Janet Napolitano (b. ... This is a complete and current List of United States Lieutenant Governors. ... Type Upper House President of the Senate Richard B. Cheney, R since January 20, 2001 President pro tempore Robert C. Byrd, D since January 4, 2007 Members 100 Political groups Democratic Party Republican Party Last elections November 7, 2006 Meeting place Senate Chamber United States Capitol Washington, DC United States... McCain redirects here. ... This page is about the current Arizona Senator; for his father, a U.S. Representative from Iowa, see John Kyl; for a U.S. Representative from Mississippi with a similar name, see John Kyle. ... Type Bicameral Houses Senate House of Representatives President of the Senate President pro tempore Dick Cheney, (R) since January 20, 2001 Robert C. Byrd, (D) since January 4, 2007 Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, (D) since January 4, 2007 Members 535 plus 4 Delegates and 1 Resident Commissioner Political... These are complete tables of congressional delegations from Arizona to the United States Senate and United States House of Representatives. ... Map of U.S. time zones with new CST and EST areas displayed This is a list of United States of America States by time zone. ... MST is UTC-7 The Mountain Standard Time Zone (MST) is a geographic region that keeps time by subtracting seven hours from Coordinated Universal Time (UTC), resulting in UTC-7. ... UTC redirects here. ... Map of the Navajo Nation The Navajo Nation (Diné in Navajo language) encompasses all things important to the Navajo. ... MST is UTC-7 The Mountain Standard Time Zone (MST) is a geographic region that keeps time by subtracting seven hours from Coordinated Universal Time (UTC), resulting in UTC-7. ... UTC redirects here. ... Although DST is common in Europe and North America, most of the worlds people do not use it. ... The following is a list of abbreviations used by the United States Postal Service. ... U.S. states This is a list of traditional abbreviations for U.S. states and territorries, which were in wide use prior to the U.S. postal abbreviations. ... ISO 3166-2 codes for the United States of America cover 50 states, 1 district, 6 outlying areas (including 9 minor outlying islands under separate ISO 3166-1 country code UM). ... A website (alternatively, Web site or web site) is a collection of Web pages, images, videos or other digital assets that is hosted on one or several Web server(s), usually accessible via the Internet, cell phone or a LAN. A Web page is a document, typically written in HTML... This is a list of official U.S. state amphibians. ... There are two species of tree frog commonly referred to as the Arizona Tree Frog: Mountain Tree Frog, Hyla eximia - the official Arizona state amphibian. ... This article or section does not adequately cite its references or sources. ... Binomial name Campylorhynchus brunneicapillus Lafresnaye, 1835 The Cactus Wren or Saguaro Wren (Campylorhynchus brunneicapillus) is the largest North American wren, and is 18-23 cm (7-9 inches) long. ... It has been suggested that this article or section be merged into List of U.S. state insects. ... The Two-Tailed Swallowtail (Papilio multicaudata) is a large North American butterfly. ... This is a list of official U.S. state fish: This list is incomplete; you can help by expanding it. ... Binomial name Oncorhynchus apache Miller, 1972 The Apache trout or Arizona trout (Oncorhynchus apache) is a species of freshwater fish in the salmon family (family Salmonidae) of order Salmoniformes. ... This is a list of U.S. state flowers: List of U.S. state trees Lists of U.S. state insignia ^ State Flower of Alabama. ... For the Palm OS program, see Saguaro(Palm OS). ... It has been suggested that List of U.S. state butterflies be merged into this article or section. ... The Two-Tailed Swallowtail (Papilio multicaudata) is a large North American butterfly. ... A state mammal is the official or representative animal of a U.S. state. ... This is a list of official U.S. state reptiles: Lists of U.S. state insignia ^ Official Alabama Reptile. ... Binomial name Crotalus willardi Meek, 1905 Crotalus willardi is a small venomous rattlesnake species commonly known as the ridge-nosed rattlesnake. ... This List of U.S. state trees includes official trees of the following states and U.S. possessions: See also Lists of U.S. state insignia National Grove of State Trees External link USDA list of state trees and flowers Categories: | | ... This article is about the desert plant, for the city in California see Palo Verde, California, and for the power plant in Arizona, see Palo Verde Nuclear Generating Station. ... This is a list of U.S. state colors:[1] This list is incomplete; you can help by expanding it. ... This article is about the colour. ... Old Gold is a dark yellow, which varies from light olive or olive brown to deep or strong yellow. ... Though every state in the United States has a State Bird and a State Flower, not every state in the United States has a State Fossil. ... Petrified log at the Petrified Forest National Park A petrified tree from California Petrified wood is a type of fossil: it consists of fossil wood where all the organic materials have been replaced with minerals (most often a silicate, such as quartz), while retaining the original structure of the wood. ... // Not every state has an official state mineral, rock, stone or gemstone. ... For other uses, see Turquoise (disambiguation). ... // Not every state has an official state mineral, rock, stone or gemstone. ... Fire Agate is a layered stone. ... // Not every state has an official state mineral, rock, stone or gemstone. ... Petrified log at the Petrified Forest National Park A petrified tree from California Petrified wood is a type of fossil: it consists of fossil wood where all the organic materials have been replaced with minerals (most often a silicate, such as quartz), while retaining the original structure of the wood. ... This is a list of offical state ships as designated by each states legislature. ... A total of three ships of the United States Navy have borne the name USS Arizona. ... This article does not cite its references or sources. ... This article is about the canyon in the southwestern United States. ... This is a list of official U.S. state soils: This list is incomplete; you can help by expanding it. ... Forty-nine states of the United States (all except New Jersey) have one or more state songs, selected by the state legislature as a symbol of the state. ... Highways in the United States are split into at least four different types of systems. ... Image File history File links This is a lossless scalable vector image. ... Obverse of redesigned quarter The 50 State Quarters program is the release of a series of commemorative coins by the United States Mint. ... These are lists of U.S. state insignia as designated by tradition or the respective state legislatures List of U.S. state amphibians List of U.S. state beverages List of U.S. state birds List of U.S. state butterflies List of U.S. state colors List of U... Image File history File links Portal. ... Arizona may refer to: // Arizona, a state in the U.S. Arizona City, Arizona, in the U.S. Arizona, Atlántida, in Honduras University of Arizona Arizona State University Northern Arizona University A total of three ships of the United States Navy have borne the name USS Arizona: the steamship... Federal courts Supreme Court Circuit Courts of Appeal District Courts Elections Presidential elections Midterm elections Political Parties Democratic Republican Third parties State & Local government Governors Legislatures (List) State Courts Local Government Other countries Atlas  US Government Portal      A U.S. state is any one of the fifty subnational entities of... Regional definitions vary from source to source. ... Motto: (traditional) In God We Trust (official, 1956–present) Anthem: The Star-Spangled Banner Capital Washington, D.C. Largest city New York City Official language(s) None at the federal level; English de facto Government Federal Republic  - President George W. Bush (R)  - Vice President Dick Cheney (R) Independence - Declared - Recognized... Nickname: Location in Maricopa County and the state of Arizona Coordinates: , Country State County Maricopa Incorporated February 25, 1881 Government  - Type Council-Manager  - Mayor Phil Gordon (D) Area  - City  515. ... Tucson (pronounced ) is the seat of Pima County, Arizona, United States, located 118 miles (188 km) southeast of Phoenix and 60 miles (98 km) north of the U.S.-Mexico border. ... Location in Maricopa County and the state of Arizona Coordinates: , Country State County Maricopa Government  - Mayor Keno Hawker (R) Area  - City  125. ... Location in Maricopa County and the state of Arizona Coordinates: , Country United States State Arizona Counties Maricopa Government  - Mayor Boyd W. Dunn (R) Area  - City  58. ... Location in Maricopa County and the state of Arizona Coordinates: , Country State Counties Maricopa Government  - Mayor Elaine Scruggs (R) Area  - City  55. ... For other uses, see Scottsdale . ... The continental United States is a term referring to the United States situated on the North American continent. ... is the 45th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... 1912 (MCMXII) was a leap year starting on Monday in the Gregorian calendar (or a leap year starting on Tuesday in the 13-day-slower Julian calendar). ... This article is about arid terrain. ... This article is about the U.S. State of Nevada. ...

Arizona is one of the Four Corners states. It borders New Mexico, Utah, Nevada, California, touches Colorado, and has a 389 mi (626 km) international border with the states of Sonora and Baja California in Mexico. In addition to the Grand Canyon, many other national forests, parks, monuments, and Indian reservations are located in the state. The Four Corners region is in the red area on this map The Four Corners Monument, placed by the Interior Department at the exact point. ... Official language(s) None Spoken language(s) English 68. ... This article is about the U.S. state. ... This article is about the U.S. State of Nevada. ... This article is about the U.S. state. ... Official language(s) English Demonym Coloradan Capital Denver Largest city Denver Largest metro area Denver-Aurora Metro Area Area  Ranked 8th in the US  - Total 104,185 sq mi (269,837 km²)  - Width 280 miles (451 km)  - Length 380 miles (612 km)  - % water 0. ... “Miles” redirects here. ... “km” redirects here. ... For other uses, see Border (disambiguation). ... Sonora is a state in northwestern Mexico, bordering the states of Chihuahua to the east, Sinaloa to the south, and Baja California to the northwest. ... Location within Mexico Municipalities of Baja California Country Capital Municipalities 5 Largest City Tijuana Government  - Governor José Guadalupe Osuna Millán (PAN)  - Federal Deputies PAN: 8  - Federal Senators Alejandro González (PAN) Rafael Díaz (PAN) Fernando Castro (PRI) Area Ranked 12th  - Total 69,921 km² (26,996. ... Grand Canyon National Park is one of the United States oldest national parks and is located in Arizona. ... This article is on national forests in the United States. ... All United States parks designated National Parks and most National Monuments are maintained by the United States National Park Service which also maintains several other types of protected areas of the United States: National Parks (See also List of U.S. national parks by state, List of U.S. national... All United States parks designated National Parks and most National Monuments are maintained by the United States National Park Service which also maintains several other types of protected areas of the United States: National Parks (See also List of U.S. national parks by state, List of U.S. national... This article is about Native Americans. ...

[edit] Geography

The North Rim of the Grand Canyon.

Arizona is located in the Western United States as one of the Four Corners states. Arizona is the sixth largest state in area, after New Mexico and before Nevada. Of the state's 118,000 square miles (306,000 km²), approximately 15% is privately owned. The remaining area is public forest and park land, recreation areas and Native American reservations. List of the 15 counties in the U.S. state of Arizona: Arizona county map Apache County formed in 1879 from part of Yavapai County. ... This is a list of rivers in the U.S. state of Arizona Black River Colorado River Gila River Little Colorado River Salt River White River Verde River See also List of rivers in the United States Categories: Lists of rivers | U.S. rivers | Arizona rivers ... The qualifications for this List of Arizona lakes is that the lake contains sports fish, are open to the public and are managed by Arizona Game and Fish. ... This is a list of state parks in the U.S. state of Arizona, operated by Arizona State Parks. ... Areas controlled by the National Park System include: Canyon De Chelly National Monument in Chinle Casa Grande Ruins National Monument near Coolidge Chiricahua National Monument at Willcox Coronado National Memorial in Hereford Fort Bowie National Historic Site in Willcox Glen Canyon National Recreation Area Grand Canyon National Park Hohokam Pima... This is a list of all the National Forests in the United States. ... Image File history File linksMetadata Size of this preview: 794 × 599 pixel Image in higher resolution (1632 × 1232 pixel, file size: 550 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) North Rim of the Grand Canyon by David Jolley 2005. ... Image File history File linksMetadata Size of this preview: 794 × 599 pixel Image in higher resolution (1632 × 1232 pixel, file size: 550 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) North Rim of the Grand Canyon by David Jolley 2005. ... Regional definitions vary from source to source. ... The Four Corners region is in the red area on this map The Four Corners Monument, placed by the Interior Department at the exact point. ... Official language(s) None Spoken language(s) English 68. ... This article is about the U.S. State of Nevada. ...

Arizona is best known for its desert landscape, which is rich in xerophyte plants such as cactus. It is also known for its climate, which presents exceptionally hot summers and mild winters. Less well known is the pine-covered high country of the Colorado Plateau in the north-central portion of the state, which contrasts with the desert Basin and Range region in the southern portions of the state. This article is about arid terrain. ... This article does not cite its references or sources. ... A xerophyte describes a plant that has structural (xeromorphic) and physiological adaptations which enable them to survive, or even thrive, in areas with very little free moisture. ... Subfamilies Cactoideae Maihuenioideae Opuntioideae Pereskioideae See also taxonomy of the Cactaceae A cactus (plural: cacti, cactuses, or cactus) is any member of the succulent plant family Cactaceae, native to the Americas. ... The Colorado Plateau, also called the Colorado Plateaus Province, is a physiographic region of the Intermontane Plateaus, roughly centered on the Four Corners region of the southwestern United States. ... Basin and Range index map - USGS The Basin and Range Province is a particular type of topography that covers much of the southwestern United States and northwestern Mexico that is typified by elongate north-south trending arid valleys bounded by mountain ranges which also bound adjacent valleys. ...

Like other states of the Southwest, Arizona has an abundance of topographical characteristics in addition to its desert climate. More than half of the state features mountains and plateaus and contains the largest stand of Ponderosa pine in the world.^{[citation needed]} The Mogollon Rim, a 2000-foot (600 m) escarpment, cuts across the central section of the state and marks the southwestern edge of the Colorado Plateau, where the state experienced its worst forest fire ever in 2002. Arizona belongs firmly within the Basin and Range region of North America. The region was shaped by prehistoric volcanism, followed by a cooling-off and related subsidence. The entire region is slowly sinking. Regional definitions vary from source to source. ... This article is about arid terrain. ... Mount Cook, a mountain in New Zealand A mountain is a landform that extends above the surrounding terrain in a limited area. ... For alternate uses of the term, see Plateau (disambiguation). ... Binomial name Pinus ponderosa Douglas ex C. Lawson Ponderosa Pine (Pinus ponderosa) is a widespread and very variable pine native to western North America. ... The Mogollon Rim is a topographical and geological feature running across Arizona, extending approximately 400 miles (650 km) from northern Yavapai County eastward to the Mogollon Mountains in southwest New Mexico. ... In geology, an escarpment is a transition zone between different physiogeographic provinces that involves an elevation differential, often involving high cliffs. ... Rodeo Chediski fires in Arizona from space The Rodeo-Chediski fire burned in east-central Arizona beginning on June 18, 2002, and was not controlled until July 7. ... This article is about volcanoes in geology. ... A road destroyed by subsidence and shear. ...

The Grand Canyon is a colorful, steep-sided gorge, carved by the Colorado River, in northern Arizona. The canyon is one of the seven natural wonders of the world and is largely contained in the Grand Canyon National Park—one of the first national parks in the United States. President Theodore Roosevelt was a major proponent of designating the Grand Canyon area, visiting on numerous occasions to hunt mountain lion and enjoy the scenery. This article is about the canyon in the southwestern United States. ... A gorge is a narrow passage between steep mountains or hills. ... Colorado River in the Grand Canyon from Desert View The Colorado River is a river in the southwestern United States and northwestern Mexico, approximately 1,450 mi (2,333 km) long, draining a part of the arid regions on the western slope of the Rocky Mountains. ... The seven wonders of the world are usually taken to be the seven wonders of the ancient world, the name of a list of the most impressive achievements of ancient civilizations in the east of the Mediterranean world. ... Grand Canyon National Park is one of the United States oldest national parks and is located in Arizona. ... This article is about national parks. ... For other persons named Theodore Roosevelt, see Theodore Roosevelt (disambiguation). ... Binomial name Puma concolor (Linnaeus, 1771) The puma (Puma concolor) is a type of large cat found in North, Central and South America. ...

The Canyon was created by the Colorado River cutting a channel over millions of years, and is about 277 miles (446 km) long, ranges in width from 4 to 18 miles (6 to 29 kilometers) and attains a depth of more than 1 mile (1.6 km). Nearly 2 billion years of the Earth's history has been exposed as the Colorado River and its tributaries cut through layer after layer of sediment as the Colorado Plateaus have uplifted. The Colorado River from the bottom of Marble Canyon, in the Upper Grand Canyon Colorado River in the Grand Canyon from Desert View The Colorado River from Laughlin Horseshoe Bend is a horseshoe-shaped meander of the Colorado River located near the town of Page, Arizona The Colorado River is... This article is about Earth as a planet. ... This article or section cites very few or no references or sources. ... The Colorado Plateau, also called the Colorado Plateaus Province, is a physiographic region of the Intermontane Plateaus, roughly centered on the Four Corners region of the southwestern United States. ...

Arizona is home to one of the largest and most well-preserved meteorite impact sites in the world. The Barringer Meteorite Crater (better known simply as "Meteor Crater") is a gigantic hole in the middle of the high plains of the Colorado Plateau, about 25 miles (40 km) west of Winslow. A rim of smashed and jumbled boulders, some of them the size of small houses, rises 150 feet (46 m) above the level of the surrounding plain. The crater itself is nearly a mile wide, and 570 feet (174 m) deep. For meteorite-created craters in general, see Impact crater. ... Winslow (Navajo Béésh Sinil or Béésinil) is a city located in Navajo County, Arizona. ...

Arizona does not observe Daylight Saving Time, except in the Navajo Nation, located in the northeastern region of the state. Although DST is common in Europe and North America, most of the worlds people do not use it. ... Map of the Navajo Nation The Navajo Nation (Diné in Navajo language) encompasses all things important to the Navajo. ...

[edit] Climate

Due to its large area and variations in elevation, the state has a wide variety of localized climate conditions. In the lower elevations, the climate is primarily desert, with mild winters and hot summers. Typically, from late fall to early spring, the weather is mild, averaging a minimum of 60 degrees Fahrenheit (15 °C). November through February are the coldest months with temperatures typically ranging from 40–75 °F (4–24 °C), although occasional frosts are not uncommon. About midway through February, the temperatures start to rise again with warm days, and cool breezy nights. The summer months of May through July bring a dry heat ranging from 90–120 °F (32–48 °C), with occasional high temperatures exceeding 125 °F (52 °C) having been observed in the desert area. For other uses, see Fahrenheit (disambiguation). ... For other uses, see Celsius (disambiguation). ... Frost on black pipes Frost is a solid deposition of water vapor from saturated air. ...

Due to the primarily dry climate, large temperature swings often occur between day and night in less developed areas of the desert. The swings can be as large as 50 °F (28 °C) in the summer months. In the state's urban centers, the effects of local warming result in much higher measured nighttime lows than in the recent past. Look up urban in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... Tokyo, a case of Urban Heat Island. ...

Arizona has an average annual rainfall of 12.7 inches (322 mm),^[5] which comes during two rainy seasons, with cold fronts coming from the Pacific Ocean during the winter and a monsoon in the summer.^[6] The monsoon season occurs towards the end of summer. In July or August, the dewpoint rises dramatically for a brief period. During this time,the air contains large amounts of water vapor. Dewpoints as high as 81°F (27 °C) ^[7] have been recorded during the Phoenix monsoon season. This hot moisture brings lightning, thunderstorms, wind, and torrential, if usually brief, downpours. It is rare for tornadoes and hurricanes to occur in Arizona, but there are records of both occurring. An inch (plural: inches; symbol or abbreviation: in or, sometimes, ″ - a double prime) is the name of a unit of length in a number of different systems, including English units, Imperial units, and United States customary units. ... A millimetre (American spelling: millimeter), symbol mm is an SI unit of length that is equal to one thousandth of a metre. ... In meteorology, a weather front is a boundary between two air masses with differing characteristics (e. ... For other uses, see Monsoon (disambiguation). ... The dew point or dewpoint of a given parcel of air is the temperature to which the parcel must be cooled, at constant barometric pressure, for the water vapor component to condense into water, called dew. ... Water vapor or water vapour (see spelling differences), also aqueous vapor, is the gas phase of water. ... Not to be confused with lighting. ... A shelf cloud associated with a heavy or severe thunderstorm over Enschede, The Netherlands. ... This article is about the weather phenomenon. ... The remnants of Hurricane Nora over the Southwestern United States An Arizona hurricane is a tropical cyclone originating in the eastern Pacific Ocean that affects the state of Arizona in the United States. ...

However, the northern third of Arizona is a plateau at significantly higher altitudes than the lower desert, and has an appreciably cooler climate, with cold winters and mild summers. Extreme cold temperatures are not unknown; cold air systems from the northern states and Canada occasionally push into the state, bringing temperatures below 0 °F (–18 °C) to the higher parts of the state. For other meanings, see Plateau (disambiguation). ...

Indicative of the variation in climate, Arizona is the state which has both the metropolitan area with the most days over 100 °F (37.8 °C) (Phoenix), and the metropolitan area in the lower 48 states with nearly the most days with a low temperature below freezing (Flagstaff).^[8] Nickname: Location in Maricopa County and the state of Arizona Coordinates: , Country State County Maricopa Incorporated February 25, 1881 Government  - Type Council-Manager  - Mayor Phil Gordon (D) Area  - City  515. ... Nickname: Location in Coconino County the state of Arizona Coordinates: , Country State County Coconino County Government  - Mayor Joseph C. Donaldson Area  - City  98. ...

[edit] History

Main article: History of Arizona

There is some disagreement over the proper etymology of the name "Arizona." The two most likely explanations are that it derives from a Basque phrase aritz onak, "good oaks,"^[9][10] or that it comes from an O'odham phrase alĭ ṣonak, "small spring".^[11] The former etymology is the one preferred by Arizona state historian Marshall Trimble, among other specialists. The name Arizonac was initially applied to the silver mining camp, and later (shortened to Arizona) to the entire territory. The first Native Americans arrived in Arizona between 16,000 BC and 10,000 BCE, while the history of Arizona as recorded by Europeans began when Marcos de Niza, a Franciscan, explored the area in 1539. ... Etymologies redirects here. ... Basque (native name: euskara) is the language spoken by the Basque people who inhabit the Pyrenees in North-Central Spain and the adjoining region of South-Western France. ... Oodham (often referred to by the names of its two nearly-identical main dialect groupings, Papago (Tohono) and Pima (Akimel)) is an Uto-Aztecan language of Southern Arizona and northern Sonora where the Tohono Oodham and Pima reside. ...

Meeting its original native inhabitants, probably the Sobaipuri, Marcos de Niza, a Spanish Franciscan, explored the area in 1539. The expedition of Spanish explorer Coronado entered the area in 1540–42 during its search for Cíbola. Society of Jesus Father Kino developed a chain of missions and taught the Indians Christianity in Pimería Alta (now southern Arizona and northern Sonora) in the 1690s and early 1700s. Spain founded fortified towns (presidios) at Tubac in 1752 and Tucson in 1775. When Mexico achieved its independence from Spain in 1821, what is now Arizona became part of the Mexican State Nueva California, also known as Alta California.^[12] In the Mexican–American War (1847), the U.S. occupied Mexico City and forced the newly founded Mexican Republic to give up its northern territories, including the later Arizona. The Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo (1848) specified that the U.S. pay Mexico the sum of $15 Million US in compensation.^[13] In 1853 the land below the Gila River was acquired from Mexico in the Gadsden Purchase. Arizona was administered as part of the Territory of New Mexico until southern New Mexico seceded^[14] from the Union as the Confederate Territory of Arizona on March 16, 1861. Arizona was recognized as a Confederate Territory by presidential proclamation by Jefferson Davis on February 12, 1862. This is the first official use of the name. A new Arizona Territory, consisting of the western half of New Mexico Territory was declared in Washington, D.C. on February 24, 1863. The new boundaries would later form the basis of the state. This article is about the people indigenous to the United States. ... The Sobaipuri Indians were an Upper Piman group who occupied southern Arizona and northern Sonora (the Pimería Alta) in the 1400-1800s. ... This was left by Marcos de Niza in 1539 at what is now Phoenix South_Mountain_Park Marcos de Niza (c. ... The Order of Friars Minor and other Franciscan movements are disciples of Saint Francis of Assisi. ... Coronado Sets Out to the North, by Frederic Remington, 1861-1909 Francisco Vázquez de Coronado (c. ... Quivira and Cíbola are two of the fantastic Seven Cities of Gold existing only in a myth that originated around the year 1150 when the Moors conquered Mérida, Spain. ... Seal of the Society of Jesus. ... Bronze by Suzanne Silvercruys. ... Topics in Christianity Movements · Denominations Ecumenism · Relation to other religions Preaching · Prayer Music · Liturgy · Calendar Symbols · Art · Criticism Christianity Portal This box:      Christianity is a monotheistic[1] religion centered on the life and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth as presented in the New Testament. ... An area of 18th century New Spain, the Pimería Alta (upper land of the Pimas) encompassed modern southern Arizona in the United States and northern Sonora in Mexico. ... Sonora is a state in northwestern Mexico, bordering the states of Chihuahua to the east, Sinaloa to the south, and Baja California to the northwest. ... Combatants United States Mexico Commanders Zachary Taylor Winfield Scott Stephen W. Kearney Antonio López de Santa Anna Mariano Arista Pedro de Ampudia José Mariá Flores Strength 78,790 soldiers 18,000–40,000 soldiers Casualties KIA: 1733 Total dead: 13,271 Wounded: 4,152 25,000 killed or wounded... The Gila River, a tributary of the Colorado, is shown highlighted on a map of the United States The Gila River (Oodham [Pima]: Hila Akimel) is a tributary of the Colorado River, 630 mile (1,014 km) long, in the southwestern United States. ... The Gadsden Purchase (shown with present-day state boundaries and cities) The Gadsden Purchase (known as Venta de La Mesilla in Mexico) is a 45,535 mi² (76,770 km²) region of what is today southern Arizona and New Mexico that was purchased by the United States from Mexico in... The New Mexico Territory became an organized territory of the United States on September 9, 1850, and it existed until New Mexico became the 47th state on January 6, 1912. ... Territories in Arizona and New Mexico in 1863. ... is the 75th day of the year (76th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1861 (MDCCCLXI) was a common year starting on Tuesday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Sunday of the 12-day slower Julian calendar). ... For other uses, see Jefferson Davis (disambiguation). ... is the 43rd day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... This article is about 1862 . ... Please wikify (format) this article as suggested in the Guide to layout and the Manual of Style. ... is the 55th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1863 (MDCCCLXIII) was a common year starting on Thursday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Tuesday of the 12-day slower Julian calendar). ...

Other names including "Gadsonia", "Pimeria", "Montezuma", "Arizuma", and "Arizonia" had been considered for the territory,^[15] however when President Lincoln signed the final bill, it read "Arizona", and the name became permanent. (Montezuma was not the Mexican Emperor, but the sacred name of a divine hero to the Pueblo people of the Gila valley, and was probably considered — and rejected — for its sentimental value, before the name "Arizona" was settled upon.) For other uses, see Abraham Lincoln (disambiguation). ... Montezuma was the name of a hero-god in the mythology of certain Indian tribes of the Southwest United States, notably the Tohono Oodham, Apache, and Pueblo — not to be confused with the two historical Aztec Emperors of the same name in Mexico, Moctezuma I and Moctezuma II. In... It has been suggested that Pueblo be merged into this article or section. ... Gila may refer to: Gila, a genus of cyprinid fish known as chubs Gila monster, a venomous lizard Gila County, Arizona Gila river, a Colorado tributary Gila trout Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument, a national monument in New Mexico Gila Desert, the informal name of Sonoran Desert Gila Woodpecker, a...

Brigham Young sent Mormons to Arizona in the mid-to-late 19th century. They founded Mesa, Snowflake, Heber, Safford and other towns. They also settled in the Phoenix Valley (or "Valley of the Sun"), Tempe, Prescott, among other areas. The Mormons settled what became known as Northern Arizona and northern New Mexico, but these areas were located in a part of the former New Mexico Territory. The largest ancestry of these settlers is German American. For other uses, see Brigham Young (disambiguation). ... This article is about the history and use of the word Mormon. For information about the religious beliefs and culture of Mormons, see Mormonism. ... Location in Maricopa County and the state of Arizona Coordinates: , Country State County Maricopa Government  - Mayor Keno Hawker (R) Area  - City  125. ... Snowflake is a town in Navajo County, Arizona, United States. ... Heber-Overgaard is a census-designated place located in Navajo County, Arizona. ... Safford is a city in Graham County, Arizona, United States. ... The Phoenix metropolitan area, locally known as the Valley of the Sun (or Phoenix Valley), is a metropolitan area that includes Phoenix, Arizona, the rest of Maricopa County, and Pinal County. ... Location in Maricopa County and the state of Arizona Coordinates: Country United States State Arizona Counties Maricopa Incorporated November 29, 1894 Government  - Mayor Hugh Hallman Area  - City  39. ... Prescott (pronounced by some locals as press-kit instead of press-cot) is a city in Yavapai County, Arizona, USA. According to 2005 Census Bureau estimates, the population of the city is 40,360. ... Northern Arizona is dominated by the Colorado Plateau, the southern border of which in Arizona is called the Mogollon Rim. ... The New Mexico Territory became an organized territory of the United States on September 9, 1850, and it existed until New Mexico became the 47th state on January 6, 1912. ... German Americans are citizens of the United States of German ancestry. ...

Arizona became a U.S. state on February 14, 1912, Arizona was the 48th state admitted into the U.S. and the last of the contiguous states admitted. is the 45th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... 1912 (MCMXII) was a leap year starting on Monday in the Gregorian calendar (or a leap year starting on Tuesday in the 13-day-slower Julian calendar). ... The continental United States is a term referring to the United States situated on the North American continent. ...