Arizona a Brief Overview of the Grand Canyon State

Arizona a Brief Overview of the Grand Canyon State

Did you know that blue and yellow are Arizona's Colors and are represented in the State Flag? The copper star in the center of the flag represents Arizona as the largest producer of copper in the nation. The yellow and red colors represent the Spanish Conquistadores headed by Francisco Vasquez de Coronado (1510-1554) a Spanish ruler who first came to Arizona in 1540.

Let us not forget the Grand Canyon, this place is awesome and I'm so happy to have explored almost all of the trails within it. What a wonderful place to reflect and leave all your cares behind. The Grand Canyon is truly a magical place and it's where I got married.

Here are some quick facts about the Grand Canyon State:

• Year of Statehood: 1912
• Size: 113,909 square miles
• State Capitol: Phoenix
• Persons per square mile: 45.2
• Population: 6,629,455 (2008)
• Population % change from 4/1/00-7/1/08: 26.7%
• Persons 65 years of age and over: 13.3%
• Female persons: 49.9%
• Number of Counties: 15 Maricopa is the largest of counties followed by Pinal (298,963) and Yavaipai (211,327)Counties
• Median Household Income: $51,124

Fun tidbits about Arizona:

• State Flower: Saguaro Cactus blossom which bloom during May and June (Nothing like the desert in bloom)
• State Gem: Turquoise which is found throughout the Southwest is used in Southwest Indian Jewelry.
• Official Neckware: The Bola Tie originated in Arizona and is most often made with silver and turquoise.
• State Tree: The Palo Verde (green stick) blooms in April or May
• State Bird: The Cactus Wren aften builds it's nest in cacti to protect against it's predators
• State Fossil: Petrified Wood
• State Mammal: Ringtail (I had a ringtail sleep with me while camping on the Colorado River)
• State Reptile: Arizona Ridge-nosed rattlesnake (I've seen a few of these over the last 25 years and haven't camped with any that I know of)
• State Fish: Apache Trout
• State Songs: Arizona March Song and Arizona
• State Amphibian: Arizona Tree Frog
• Golf: There are over 300 golf courses in Arizona
• Lakes: There are over 120 combined lakes and reservoirs in Arizona

Maricopa County is the largest of the Arizona Counties, here's a little information on the county:

• Land area: 9,2013.14 (square miles)
• Persons per square mile: 333.8
• Population: 3,987,942 (2008 estimate)
• Persons 65 years of age and over: 11.4%
• Female persons: 49.6%

The City of Surprise (where I live) was founded in 1929 and incorporated in 1960. Here's a little info about Surprise:

Did you know that the City of Surprise was named after it's founder, Homer C. Ludden, after his hometown of Surprise, Nebraska. Surprise is also the fastest growing city in Arizona.

• Land area: 69 (square miles)
• Persons per square mile: 443.9
• Population: 108,761 (2008)
• Persons 65 years of age and over: 25.4%
• Female persons: 50.9%

Wonder how the United States as a whole compares? Here's a little information for you to ponder:

• Land area: 3,537,438.44 (square miles)
• Persons per square mile: 79.6
• Population: 304,059,724 (2008 estimate)
• Persons 65 years of age and over: 12.8%
• Female persons: 50.7%
  

Sources: Arizona Department of Commerce, US Census Bureau and AZGovernor.gov

Arizona has always been a special state to me. It is so versatile with so many things to do. You can find just about anything here in Arizona. Go up north and go skiing in the winter months or escape the summer heat by driving up north. Or escape the cool winters and come to the valley. The choices are plenty, hope you'll come and explore our fine state sometime and stay awhile while you're at it!!!