Geographical Features of Arizona
Arizona is located in the southwestern region of the United States. It is bordered by Utah to the north, by Mexico to the south. On the east, the state is bordered by New Mexico and on the west lie Nevada and California.The state is divided into three major land areas: the Colorado plateau, the Transition Zone and the Basin and Ridge Region.
The Colorado Plateau: The area covers the northern two-fifth of the state of Arizona. Broad, mostly flat, level land interrupted by occasional soaring mountains and deep canyons are the characteristics. The Grand Canyon, the Canyon de Chelly and Oak Creek Canyon are the notable canyons in the region. Black Mesa, Painted Desert and the Petrified Forest are found on the Colorado Plateau.
Geographical Facts About Arizona |
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| Area | 114,006 square miles |
| Land Area | 113,642 square miles |
| Water Area | 364 square miles |
| Highest Point | Humphreys Peak |
| Lowest Point | Colorado River |
| Mean Elevation | 4,100 feet above sea level |
| Geographic Center | Yavapai County |
The Transition Zone : The area lies around the south of the Colorado Plateau and north of the Arizona Basin and Ridge Region. This is a narrow strip of land characterized by a rugged series of mountain ranges and valleys. Salt River Canyon, the Mazatzal, Santa Maria, Sierra Ancha, and White mountain ranges are found in the Transition Zone.
The Basin and Ridge Region: The area lies to the south of the Transition Zone and along the western border of California. The Basin and Ridge Region of Arizona has mountain ranges running from the northwest in a southeasterly direction. These mountain ranges are separated by low fertile valleys.
Arizona National Parks
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.
Climate of Arizona
Arizona has a wide variety of localized climate conditions. The climate is primarily desert-type, with mild winters and hot summers in the lower elevations of the state. The coldest months in the state are November and February, with temperatures ranging between 4 to 24 ºC. The lowest recorded temperature in the state was -40º, on January 7, 1971 at Hawley Lake. The state has an average annual rainfall of 12.7 inches.
Mountains in Arizona
There are 194 mountain ranges in Arizona. Some of the mountain ranges in the state are:
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Rivers in Arizona
There are a number of rivers and other water bodies found in Arizona. The major rivers are:
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Lakes in Arizona
Most of the lakes in Arizona are managed by the Arizona Game and Fish Department. The major lakes are:
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