48th state of the USA Southwestern region of the U. S. Part of the western United States and the mountain west Grand Canyon State One of the Four Corners states 626 km international border with Mexico

Borders New Mexico, Utah, Nevada, California, touches Colorado Biggest cities: Phoenix, Tucson, Mesa Land area: km 2 Number of counties: 15

Wide variety of climate Lower elevations – primarily desert with mild winters and hot summers (temp from 54 °C to 10 °C) The northern third has cooler climate with cold winters and mild summers Rare for tornadoes and hurricanes to occur, but the monsoons can cause torrential downpours

Generally desert, also mesa and mountains Wide diversity of vegetation Fauna range from desert species to the deer and elk of the northern highlands Fourty one animal species and 19 plant species – endangered (list of the US Fish and Wildlife Service)

First mammoth-hunters between 16,000 BC and 10,000 BC Recorded history – Marcos de Niza exploration in 1539 (search of mythical Seven Cities of Gold) Early Franciscans and Jesuits – numerous missions to convert the Native Americans

1810-s to 1821 – revolutionary situation – destruction of colonial silver mining Starting in 1853 – Arizona as a part of New Mexico Territory February 14, 1912 – Arizona officially bacame a U.S. state 1948 – beginning of high tech industry

… (2010), which ranks 14th in state population …has increased by 26.7% since 2000 Largest county by population is Maricopa - 3,635,528 (2005) Largest by area is Coconino – 15,562 sq mi Residents - Arizon(i)an

Historical "five C's": copper, cotton, cattle, citrus, and climate (tourism)  Arizona was the largest producer of cotton in the country  Copper is still extensively mined Currently the 21st largest economy among states in the US

Western culture with influences of immigrants:  Indians (now live in reservations)  Hispanics (from Sonora, now northern Mexico)  Anglos (from Texas)  Blacks (accompanied the Texians)

Spain attempt to annex both the Spanish and Indian cultures After the Civil War Anglos began migrating into the territory Anglos settled in existing Hispanic communities Native American tribes continue their spiritual, cultural and economic traditions

Ancient Native American architecture:  Casa Grande Ruins National Monument Spanish Colonial Architecture:  Steinfeld Houses in Tucson Desert-Modern Architecture:  Most famous architect Frank Lloyd Wright creation

Capital: Phoenix Organized as territory: Feb. 24, 1863 Motto: „Ditat Deus“ (God enriches) Nickname: Grand Canyon State Colors: blue and old gold Neckwear : bola tie Fossil: petrified wood Gemstone: turquise

Flower: flower of saguaro cactus bird: cactus wren Tree: palo verde Mammal: ringtail Reptail: Arizona ridgenose rattlesnake Fish: Arizona trout Butterfly: two-tailed swallowtail

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