What are the Key Facts of Arizona?

State	Arizona
State Capital	Phoenix
Largest City	Phoenix
Coordinates	34°N, 112°W
Nickname(s)	The Grand Canyon State, The Copper State, The Valentine State
Postal Abbreviation	AZ
Area	113,990 sq. mi (295,234 sq. km)
Highest Point	Humphreys Peak, 12,637 ft (3,852 m)
Neighboring States	New Mexico, Utah, California, Nevada
Number of Counties	15
Population	7,171,646 (2,018)
Date of Entering the Union	February 14, 1912
State Anthem	“The Arizona March Song” and “Arizona”
Governor	Doug Ducey (Republican)
Secretary of State	Katie Hobbs (Democratic Party)
U.S. Senators	Kyrsten Sinema (Democratic Party), Martha McSally (Republican)
U.S. House Delegation	5 Democrats, 4 Republicans
GDP (Millions of Dollars)	348297
Demonym	Arizonan
Time Zones	Most of state UTC-07:00 (Mountain), Navajo Nation UTC-07:00 (Mountain), Summer (DST) UTC-06:00 (MDT)

Where is Arizona?

Arizona, the 48th state of the United States of America, is located in the southwestern region of the US. This state is also a part of the Western and the Mountain states. It is one of the Four Corners states in the high Colorado Plateau of the US States: Arizona, Colorado, Utah, and New Mexico. The neighboring states of Arizona are Nevada and California (to the west), and two northwestern Mexico states such as Sonora (to the south) and Baja California (to the southwest).

What is the Geography of Arizona?

Arizona is spread across a total area of 113,990 sq. mi (295,234 sq. km), out of which 113,594 sq. mi (294,207 sq. km) is land area and the rest 396 sq. mi (1,026 sq. km) is water area. In terms of total area, Arizona is the sixth largest state.

Desert Basin and Range region is the most prominent landform in the southern part of the state. Cactus and other xerophyte plants are mainly found in this landscape. The north-central part of the Colorado Plateau’s high country (especially in the Mountain forests in Arizona) is covered by pine.
Mountains and plateaus are the major landforms in this state, just like any other states in the southwest US. Though Arizona is mostly arid, the state has 27% of forest cover. The ponderosa pine trees, the largest pine trees of the world, are found in this state.

The central section of the state is cut by a 1,998 ft (609 m) escarpment called the Mogollon Rim, marking the Colorado Plateau’s southwestern edge. The colorful, deep, steep-sided gorge named Grand Canyon is situated in northern Arizona. The Colorado River forms it. Grand Canyon is one of the seven Natural Wonders of the World.

The Barringer Meteorite Crater (popularly known as the “Meteor Crater”), the gigantic hole in the Colorado Plateau’s high plains, created around 50,000 years back, is the world’s most well-preserved meteorite impact site. It is located approximately 25 mi (40 km) to the west of Winslow (570 ft or 170 m deep and one mi or 1.6 km wide).

National Parks in Arizona

It includes 3 national parks such as Grand Canyon, Petrified Forest, and Saguaro. The celebrated national monuments such as Chiricahua and Casa Grande Ruins are located in Arizona. Check this Arizona National Parks Map locating all the national parks in the US.

What is the Climate of Arizona?

Arizona has a considerable variation in localized climate because of the vast area it is spread across as well as the enormous variation in elevation. A primarily desert climate is found in the lower elevations. Extremely hot summers and mild winters characterize it.

The weather remains mild from late-fall to early-spring, when the average minimum temperature revolves around 16 °C (60 °F). November-February is the coldest period in Arizona when the average temperature revolves within 4-24 °C (40-75 °F). Occasional frosts also take place during this time.

The temperature starts rising from mid-February when the days remain warm and night stay cool and breezy. June-September is the summer season when the weather is characterized by dry heat along with a temperature hovering within 32-49 °C (90-120 °F). In the desert areas, sometimes the high temperature exceeds 52 °C (125 °F). In less-developed desert areas (especially above 2,500 ft or 760 m) large diurnal temperature variations are found, mainly due to dry climate. During the summer, the temperature can reach as high as 46 °C (83 °F).

The average annual rainfall in Arizona is around 323 mm (12.7 in). Most of the rain takes place during two rainy seasons: monsoon during summer and rainy season during winter (caused by cold fronts coming from the Pacific Ocean). Hurricanes or tornadoes are rare in this state. Flash floods take place during July or August as the air’s water vapour content increases dramatically.

An appreciably cooler climate is found in the plateau found in the northern third of Arizona, which is located at a significantly higher altitude than that of the deserts located far below. Cold winters and mild summers are found in this place. The temperature here becomes occasionally freezing when cold air systems flow into the state from the northern states as well as Canada. The temperature in the northern part of the state comes down to below 0 °F (−18 °C).

What is the Economy of Arizona?

The Total Gross Domestic Product for Arizona in 2018 was US$ 348,297. One million, an increase from US$ 243,929 million in 2009. The per capita annual income was US$ 44,329 in 2018, an increase from US$ 33,418 in 2009.

The economy of Arizona is ranked among the best in the United States. The data of the US Bureau of Economic Analysis showed that this state had the 4th highest economic growth (4%) in 2018, lagging behind Washington (5.7%), Idaho (4.1%), and Utah (4.3%). The main economic drivers of this economy were construction, real estate and rental leasing, and manufacturing.

The US Census Bureau’s report shows that Arizona’s economy has been growing significantly over the last few years and picked up speed in 2018. Most of the economic activity is taking place in Maricopa County (consisting of the Phoenix metropolitan area and the city of Phoenix). Business-friendly policies, as well as lack of a personal income tax, has made Arizona a favorable destination for the corporate, especially the ones in the relocations business.

A new study by the personal finance website WalletHub ranks Arizona at 12th rank in terms of economic activity, 10th in terms of economic health, and 14th in terms of innovation potential. The study gave 11th overall rank to Arizona.

The unemployment rate in this state was 4.8% in October 2019 (much higher than the US average of 3.9%), a significant drop from 10.8% in October 2009. The job market increased at a rate of 2.9% over the last year. Around 300,000 jobs were added in the state since 2015.

The United States Census Bureau’s 2018 ACS (American Community Survey) 1-year Estimate shows that there were 983,499 people (14% of the total population) living below the poverty level.

What is the Transportation System of Arizona?

Arizona has an extensive transportation system. I-17 and I-19 are the main interstate routes from north-to-south and I-8, I-10, and I-40 are the main interstate routes from east-to-west. Interstate route I-15 travels from northeast-southwest. Public bus transit systems are mainly concentrated in the Phoenix and Tucson metropolitan areas.

Valley Metro Rail, a light rail system, connecting Central Phoenix with Mesa and Tempe cities is a popular mode of transport. The Sun Link streetcar system in Tucson connects the leading University of Arizona campus with Mercado San Agustin. Sunset Limited, Southwest Chief, and Texas Eagle are the main passenger train routes in this state.

The main airports in Arizona are Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (in Phoenix), Tucson International Airport (in Tucson), Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport (in Mesa), Grand Canyon National Park Airport (in Grand Canyon), Laughlin/Bullhead International Airport (in Bullhead City), Yuma International Airport (in Yuma), Flagstaff Pulliam Airport (in Flagstaff), and many more.

Why Arizona is called the “The Grand Canyon State”?

As most of the Grand Canyon is situated within Arizona’s Grand Canyon National Park, the state is nicknamed “The Grand Canyon State”.

What are the Popular Tourist Attractions in Arizona?

Grand Canyon National Park, Petrified Forest National Park, Saguaro National Park, Tonto National Forest, Prescott National Forest, Coconino National Forest, Sedona, Monument Valley, Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, Phoenix, Hoover Dam, Jerome, Havasu Falls, Canyon De Chelly National Monument, Bisbee, Lake Mead National Recreation Area, Tombstone and etc.

Facts About Arizona:

 

1. Arizona is a right-to-work state. The statute lays down that no individual should be refused the chance to get or keep his/her service only since he or she is not an affiliate in a worker’s union.
2. The Arizona trout is exclusively seen in the state of Arizona.
3. The official state flower is the saguaro cactus blossom. The color of the flower is white and it blossoms on the top of the saguaro cactus in the months of May and June. The saguaro cactus is the biggest variety of cactus in North America.
4. Arizona is the main producer of copper in the United States.
5. The official state fossil is the petrified wood. The greater part of petrified woods is derived from the Petrified Forest in the northeastern areas of the state.
6. The official state neckwear is the bola tie.
7. The official state tree is the Palo Verde. The name signifies green stick and the tree blossoms a magnificent yellow-gold flower in April or May.
8. The official state bird is the cactus wren. It is 7 to 8 inches in length and the bird prefers to make nests for safeguarding from prickly xerophytic plants such as the tentacles of the huge saguaro cactus.
9. The official state gemstone is the turquoise. The color of the stone is bluish green and it features a slightly ceraceous exterior and is seen across the state.
10. Arizona houses the famous Grand Canyon National Park.
11. The official state mammal is the ringtail. It is a small creature and has some similarities with the fox. The length is around 2.5 feet and it is a timid, night-time animal.
12. The quantity of copper on the top of the Capitol Building is equal to that of 4,800,000 cents.
13. Arizona constantly maintains Mountain Standard Time (MST). The only exemption is the Navajo Nation, lying in the northeastern parts of the state, which maintains the daylight savings time variation.
14. The warship USS Arizona was named to pay homage to the state. The warship was equipped for service in 1913 and inaugurated at the Brooklyn Navy Yard in 1915.
15. During the Second World War, a large number of armed forces staff were instructed at Thunderbird and Luke airfields, Glendale.
16. The flag of Mexico, the Burgundian and Castilian flags of Spain, the flag of the United States, and the flag of the Confederacy – all of them have been hoisted over the territory which is currently known as Arizona.
17. The Southern Pacific Railroad joined Arizona with the states of the eastern U.S. in 1926.
18. The geographical core of Arizona is located at 55 miles southeast of Prescott.
19. The state of Arizona is primarily rich in copper.
20. Bisbee is nicknamed the Queen of the Copper Mines, and it is situated in Tombstone Canyon. Throughout its excavation background, Bisbee was the biggest city amid San Francisco and Saint Louis.
21. The most famous natural wonders of Arizona include the Havasu Canyon, Grand Canyon, Lake Powell/Rainbow Bridge, Grand Canyon Caves, Monument Valley, Petrified Forest/Painted Desert, Meteor Crater, Sunset Crater, Salt River Canyon, Sedona Oak Creek Canyon, Picacho Peak State Park, Superstition Mountains, Chiricahua National Monument, Saguaro National Park, and the Colorado River.
22. The state official amphibian is the Arizona tree frog. It is essentially between 3/4 to two inches long.
23. Previously, Jerome was a disorderly copper mining settlement. The number of people living in the city declined to as low as 50 once the pits were shut down in 1953.
24. The actual London Bridge was transported stone-by-stone and rebuilt in Lake Havasu City.
25. Window Rock is the capital of the Navajo Reservation.
26. The rainfall of the state differs significantly. The average rainfall every year at Flagstaff is 18.31 inches. In Phoenix, it is 7.64 inches and in Yuma, it has been measured at 3.27 inches.
27. Grazing land covers 57%, harvesting areas 2%, jungles 24%, and other areas cover 17% of the territory of the state.
28. The ridge-nosed rattlesnake in the state is probably the most stunning of the 11 varieties of rattlesnakes seen in AZ.
29. The official state colors are gold and blue.
30. There is a natural spring in Fountain Hills, which is assumed to be the highest in the world.
31. Four Corners is known as the only place in the U.S. where anyone can stand in four states simultaneously.
32. The number of years a saguaro cactus is going to live is decided by its length.
33. The Apache trout is regarded an endangered class according to the Federal Endangered Species Act.
34. Among all the states in the U.S., Arizona is home to the biggest share of its territory earmarked and assigned as Indian territories.
35. The tallest peak of the state is Mount Humphreys, which is located to the north of Flagstaff. The mountain is 12,643 feet high.
36. The Hopi Indians of the state are famous for cultivating their multihued corn.
37. Phoenix is the birthplace of Barry Goldwater, a renowned diplomat, legislator, and presidential contestant.
38. Taliesin West, the studio of the famous designer Frank Lloyd Wright, was constructed close to Phoenix in 1939.
39. The first Indian colony in the U.S. is the Oraibi. It was set up by the Hopis Indians.
40. Flaming Gorge of Grand Canyon derived its name from its glowing orange and red tinted, 1200 feet tall fences.
41. Disaster Falls of Grand Canyon was named to remember the location of a former voyager’s shipwreck.
42. Marble Canyon of Grand Canyon derived its name from its 1,000 feet thick bed of sandstone and for its fences worn away to a smoothened glass coating.
43. On February 14, 1912, Arizona was admitted to the Union as the 48th state.
44. Kitts Peak National Observatory houses the biggest solar telescope in the world. The observatory is situated at the city of Sells.
45. Formerly, camels were utilized to carry commodities throughout Arizona.
46. Father Eusebio Kino concentrated on regional missionary activities from 1692 to 1711. Throughout this period, a number of grain & stock farms were started.
47. The demonym of Arizona is Arizonan.
48. Phoenix started off as a food supply base in 1866 for providing to Camp McDowell.
49. Yuma is the birthplace of Ceasar Estrada Chavez, the noted trade union leader.
50. Ruby, Tombstone, Gunsight, and Gillette, are some of the deserted towns spread across the state.

 

Related Links:

• Capital of Arizona
• Popular Places to Visit in Arizona

• What is Arizona Known for?
• Arizona Zip Code Map