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So you want to know about Arizona? Here are some highlights! Also check out the links to other sites about Arizona.
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Key Facts |
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Population (1994): 4,071,650
(23rd in size) State size: 114,000 square miles (6th in size) State Capital: Phoenix (named after the mythical bird the Phoenix) Major cities: Phoenix, Tucson, Mesa, Tempe and Scottsdale. Admission to union: The 48th State Date entered the union: February 14, 1912 Origin of state name: Named from the Indian word "arizonac" meaning small spring. Nicknames: Grand Canyon State, Rattlesnake Heaven Bordering states: California, Nevada, Utah and New Mexico with Mexico on the south. State bird: Cactus Wren State flower: Saguara Cactus Blossom State tree: Paloverde Motto: God Enriches |
Geographic Landmarks |
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| The Grand Canyon is one of
the seven Wonders of the World. It is 217 miles long, a
mile deep, and up to 18 miles wide. On the side of the
Grand Canyon are huge pinnicles of rock and stone. The
Colorado River flows through the canyon. In the Petrefied Forest National Park, ancient trees over a million years old have turned to stone. Other natural landmarks include the Painted Desert, Monument Valley, Meteor Crater and Canyon Diablo. |
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Points of Interest |
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| Arizona has many other
attractions, other than the natural landscape, that bring
tourists. Man-made structures include the Hoover Dam,
Roosevelt Dam and Glen Canyon Dam. Other points of interest include towns such as Tomestone, left over from the wild west days, is best known for the "Gunfight at OK Corral." There are also many ghost towns left from early gold rush days. The Biosphere II near Tucson was built to provide a self-contained living environment. Eight people to lived for 2 years in the Biosphere as part of an isolation experiment in 1991 to 1993. |
Major Industries |
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| Natural resources include gold, silver and copper. Agriculture includes cotton, grain and livestock. Tourism also contributes significantly to the economy. |
Historical Highlights |
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| Arizona was originally the
home of Apache, Hopi, Navajo and other tribes. The first
Europeans were Spanish explorers travelling north from
Mexico. In 1539, the Franciscan missionary Father Marcos
de Niza came to Arizona in search of gold to claim for
Spain. Other spanish missionaries came to Arizona to
establish missions and bring Christianity. In 1540, De
Cardenas discovered the Grand Canyon.
In 1821, Mexico declared independence from Spain and Arizona became part of Mexico. In 1846, Mexico and the United States went to war. At the end of the Mexican War, in 1848, northern Arizona was ceded to the United States. A few years later, in 1853, the United States purchased the remainder of Arizona as part of the Gadsen Purchase. In the 1850's, discovery of gold and copper brought many prospectors in search of their fortune. The local tribes fought to defend their land against the newcomers. The fighting continued until 1886 when the Apache Chief Geronimo finally surrenders to U.S. soldiers. |
Population and Culture |
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| Initially settled by Native American tribes, the discovery of gold and silver brought many other settlers. |
Climate |
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Interesting Tidbits |
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