Geography: It's easy to think of Arizona as one big desert but, in fact, more than half of the state consists of mountain and plateau areas and the largest Ponderosa Pine forest in the United States is found in the Grand Canyon State. Arizona can be divided into three major land areas; the Colorado plateau, the Transition Zone and the Basin and Ridge Region.
Border States: New Mexico, Utah, California, Colorado, Nevada
Border Countries: Mexico
Climate: Arizona's climate is warm and arid, moderated by altitude in the mountains. Annual precipitation ranges from under 10 inches to 30 inches. View the Current Weather in Arizona's major cities, or Average, Minimum or Maximum temperature charts.
Origin of state's name: Spanish interpretation of "arizuma" anAztec Indian word meaning "silver-bearing." Also based on Pima Indian word "arizonac" for "little spring place". (Two other Indian words meaning 'little spring' are Aleh-Zon.)
ArizonaState Flag:
Adopted in 1917, The 13 rays of red and gold on the top half of the flag represent both the 13 original colonies of the Union, and the rays of the Western setting sun. Red and gold were also the colors carried by Coronado's Spanish expedition in search of the Seven Cities of Cibola in 1540. The bottom half of the flag has the same Liberty blue as the United States flag. Since Arizona was the largest producer of copper in the nation, a copper star was placed in the flag's center.
Arizona Grand Canyon State - City guides, symbols and answers to any question you could possibly have about AZ AND the other 50 states.
Date Admitted: Feb. 14, 1912 Constitution: 48th State
State History:AZ History Reference Guides Site Map - Find out about Arizona's 5 C's; Women; Cities; Native Americans; Water in Arizona; the Spanish Period; Crime and Politics; Education; Injustices, Culture; National Historic Places; the Military and more!
State Tree: Palo Verde - The Palo Verde is Arizona's state tree. During Spring bright yellow blossoms cover the tree. It is a very unique plant because of it's green trunk. The Palo Verde produces pods that taste somewhat like peas. Palo Verde has very small leaves, it is able to use photosynthesis. During dry spells it drops some of it's small leaves to conserve water.
