Interesting Facts about Arizona

Arizona is a state in the southwestern region of the United States of America. It was the 48th state to be integrated into the United States of America, and is also the last of the Contiguous states. 'Interesting' is one significant word that aptly describes this state, as it is a confluence of several cultures, geographical segments and social factions. Apart from that this state also has a fascinating history, stretching right up to the hunts for the Cíbola, treasure troves and the legendary cities of gold, which were carried out by the European invaders. Apart from the history of the imperial period, the natives such as the Apache and Hopis also have several centuries worth of stories to offer.

History of Arizona

From 16,000 to 10,000 BC, the area of Arizona had been the peaceful abode of native tribes. In 1539, Franciscan Marcos de Niza, was probably the first European to explore the area that we today call Arizona. he was followed by Spanish Conquistador Francisco Vásquez de Coronado in 1540, who was hunting for Cibola, seven mythological cities of gold. In the 1690s Padre Eusebio Francisco Kino, established missions in this region, introducing Christianity in the region.

After the discovery of gold and silver in the region, the Spanish founded and consolidated Spanish Arizona as their Northern frontier in the 18th century. The 1765, Bourbon Reforms by Charles III of Spain, led to the establishment of military fortresses known as 'Presidios', Tubac and Tucson being the prominence ones. Spanish Arizona become a part of Vieja California State of Mexico following the Mexican independence from Spain. In 1848, the United States Army overran and took over the region in the Mexican-American war. In the years that followed, the Spanish Arizona was dissevered and consolidated into both the nations. The modern state of Arizona joined the United States as the 48th state on 14th February, 1912, the people of this state probably prayed to St. Valentine for peace.

Nicknames of Arizona

The State of Arizona is also known as the Grand Canyon State due to the fact that a major part of its territory is occupied by the Grand Canyon. Sometimes, it is also termed as the Copper State due to its thriving copper mining industry. In fact, the production of copper from this state tops the list of copper producers in the United States. A person from Arizona is called an 'Arizonan'.

The current name of Arizona in fact is derived from 'Arizonac', which in the Spanish-O'odham language, means 'small spring'. This is probably a reference to the Planchas de Plata, a silver mining site in Sonora, which today lies in Mexico. The discovery of silver in this region, in 1736, probably made the name Arizona famous. Another proposition goes that the name is coined from 'árida zona', or rather 'arid zone'. The phrase 'aritz ona' from the Basque language of the region offers yet another explanation to the origination of name.

State Symbols of Arizona

State Amphibian: Frog (Hyla eximia) State Butterfly: Two-tailed Swallowtail (Papilio multicaudata) State Bird Cactus Wren (Campylorhynchus brunneicapillus) State Colors: federal blue and old gold State Mammal: Ringtail (Bassariscus astutus) State Fish: Arizona Trout (Oncorhynchus gilae apache)

State Tree: Blue Palo Verde (Parkinsonia florida) State Flower: Saguaro Blossom (Carnegiea gigantea) State Neckwear: Bolo tie State Gemstone: Turquoise State Motto: Ditat deus which means 'God Enriches' State Song: 'Arizona March Song'

Interesting Facts about the Geography of Arizona

The following are some really interesting and some hilarious facts about the state of Arizona. Take a look...

• Area wise Arizona is the 6th largest state, with 113,998 square miles.This is roughly equivalent to that of the size of Italy.
• At, 12,643 feet, the highest point from the sea level is the Humphreys Peak in Flagstaff.
• Heard of the 4 corner states? Well Arizona is one. There is the one place on the Northern-eastern border of Arizona, where you can be in Colorado, New Mexico, Arizona and Utah, all the same time. This location is basically the confluence of the borders of each state. The actual spot or location is surrounded by the flags of the 4 states.
• 55 miles from Prescott town, lies a spot which is the geographical center of the state.
• Arizona is the leading state to provide land for Indian lands area wise.
• Arizona has four major rivers, namely, the Salt, Verde, Gila and Colorado. This state is also gifted with natural lakes; many of which are habitats for game fish.
• The Grand Canyon which occupies a substantial part of the state contributes to the states geographical marvels. The Marble Canyon gets its name from the weathered and polished glass like thousand feet walls which are seams of marble. The Flaming Gorge on the other hand appear as blazing red and orange colored walls which stretch up to 12, 000 feet. This very canyon is 227 miles long, 1 mile deep and 10 miles wide.
• This state also has the highest number of state and national parks. The total area of the national park in itself amounts to about 11.2 million acres, which is about one-fourth of the entire area of the state.
• On 29th June, 1994, the Lake Havasu City recorded a temperature of 128°, Fahrenheit, the highest ever in the state of Arizona. Hawley Lake on the other hand recorded the lowest at -40° Fahrenheit on 7th January 1971.
• The primary revenue earners for the economy of Arizona are, cotton, copper, cattle, and citrus, or the 4, c's.
• The capital city of Phoenix has sunshine for 211 day for almost every year. On the other hand there are, 85 partly cloudy days and 69 rainy days (this is an approximate average, not applicable for all years).
• South Mountain Park spreads over giant 20,000 acres, making it the largest city-park of the world. The Navajo Reservation is also equally gigantic, it goes right into Utah and New Mexico.
• Population wise, this state is the 16th one in the United States, with the 2010 year reporting 6,392,017 people at a density of 56.3/sq mi.
• Believe it or not the wildlife is also equally funny, the Arizona trout, is found only and only in Arizona, the age of a saguaro cactus is determined by its height, the Hopi Indians have a multicolored corn, I wonder are the cornflakes red, blue and green?
• The fountain at Fountain Hills is not just the biggest, fountain in the country but it is probably the largest in the world.
• In spite of the heated and often warm climate, from 1872 to 1973 the Sunrise mountain hosted a nice 400.9 inches fat snow.
• Phoenix, the state's capital, was started as a hay camp.

Humorous Facts about Arizona

• The Capitol building of Arizona has a roof with copper construction. The amount of copper that was utilized to make the roof is equivalent to that used in 4,800,000 pennies.
• The law of the state of Arizona states that it is illegal to keep a donkey in your bathtub.
• The people of Arizona follow the Mountain Standard Time throughout the year, they never follow the Daylight Savings Time, the only exception is the Navajo Nation region, which observes the Daylight Savings Time.
• If you are a citizen of Arizona, never refuse a person a glass of water, because it is illegal to do so.
• If you are being attacked by a criminal, you are permitted to use the same weapon that is being used by the attacker in self-defense.
• During the Second World War, several Navajo Indians, provided crucial services as spies and intelligence personnel. The only language that they spoke was unknown to almost everybody.
• In Prescott, citizens are banned form riding their horses up the stairs of the county courthouse.
• Heard of the great old London bridge? Well it's in Arizona, well at least a part of it. In 1971, the pieces of the 'old' London bridge, the one that fell down were put together in Lake Havasu City, over the lakes lagoon.
• The 1881, legendary gunfight at O.K. Corral was just 30 seconds long.
• In Arizona, a misdemeanor is felony, if one is wearing a red mask.
• In Globe, Arizona, a game of cards cannot be played in the street with Native Americans.
• Earlier, camels were used as mode of transport in Arizona. Today, its illegal in this state to hunt them.
• If you cut down a cactus, you may face 25 years of imprisonment.
• Another odd one goes that a cowboy cannot walk into a hotel while wearing spurs, he may or will get thrown out, it illegal.
• The Kitts Peak National Observatory hosts the world's largest solar telescope.
• To spray paint in Tempe, Arizona, one has to be more than 18 years old.
• It gets even more weird. Arizona, though a land locked state, once upon a time had an official navy, though it just consisted of two boats guarding the waters of the Colorado river.
• In Tucson, it is illegal for women to wear pants.
• What would an old timer do without suspenders, I mean how the hell is one supposed to hold up the baggy pants. In Nogales, one is banned from wearing suspenders, well chaps must have some good strong waist leather belts.
• One of the hilarious laws that was passed in Arizona was in Tombstone. The law stated that it is illegal for people above 18 years of age to smile and reveal less than one missing tooth.
• Glendale, a city in this state where you cannot back up or reverse your car, its illegal.
• You cannot smoke cigarettes inside a 15 feet radius from a public place, however you can do so if you have a Class 12 liquor license.

The State of Arizona has a desert geography. It is among one of the most beautiful regions in the world. It also has some of the most beautiful and unique flora and fauna. Arizona, certainly, is a perfect example of the Wild West.