Higher Education  

Arizona has approximately 13 accredited colleges and universities and 21 community colleges. Among the major colleges and universities located in Phoenix are the University of Phoenix, Western International University, Grand Canyon University, and DeVry Institute of Technology. Major educational institutions in other Arizona cities are the University of Arizona, in Tucson; Northern Arizona University, in Flagstaff; Arizona State University, in Tempe; and the American Graduate School of International Management, in Glendale.

Geography

Arizona is the sixth largest state in the USA in terms of size, occupying an area of 295,260 square kilometers. One of the southwestern states, Arizona is divided into three major land regions: the Colorado Plateau, the mountain zone, and the desert region. The Colorado Plateau covers the northern and northeastern portions of Arizona; the mountain zone, a largely mountainous and forested strip of land, runs from northwest to southeast; and the desert region occupies about half of the southwestern part of the state. Arizona is known for its canyons, mesas, and deserts. Perhaps the most famous of Arizona's geographical features is the Grand Canyon. Flowing through the state for 1,107 km, the Colorado River is Arizona's longest and most important river. Arizona's major cities are Phoenix (capital), Tucson, Mesa, Tempe, Glendale, Scottsdale, and Yuma. The state's population is estimated to be over 3.6 million.

Climate

Dry air and clear skies generally characterize Arizona's climate. Climatic conditions vary greatly between the state's mountainous northern parts and its southern desert area. The record low temperature for the state is -40° C, and the record high temperature is 53° C. Statewide, the average temperature in January is 5° C, and the average in July is 27° C. The average annual precipitation is 33 cm statewide, while the desert areas average only 8 cm of precipitation each year.

Cultural Profile

Arizona boasts many fine orchestras, including the Phoenix Symphony Orchestra, the Tucson Symphony Orchestra, and the Flagstaff Symphony Orchestra. There are numerous theater groups in the state, including Spanish-language theater companies. Dance troupes perform classical, modern, and ethnic dances.

Arizona's museums display the cultural heritage, natural history, arts, and western lore of the state. Some of the state's major museums are the Phoenix Art Museum, The Tucson Museum of Art, the Museum of Northern Arizona in Flagstaff, and the Heard Museum of Anthropology and Primitive Art in Phoenix. In addition, many of Arizona's Indian reservations (such as the Apache, Hopi, and Navajo reservations) have museums exhibiting Native American art and cultural artifacts.

Recreation

Arizona has twenty national parklands, seven national forests, and twenty-one state parks. Grand Canyon National Park is one of the most popular parks in the USA, welcoming over four million visitors each year. Some of the other famous sites in the state are the Coronado National Memorial, Painted Rocks State Historic Park, Tombstone Courthouse State Historic Park, and Petrified Forest National Park. The state attracts sightseers, hikers, campers, boaters, fishers, and hunters, as well has history, geology, and archeology buffs.

Interesting Facts

The largest preserved meteor crater on earth is near Winslow, Arizona. London Bridge was transported from London, England, to Arizona and reassembled in Lake Havasu City. Camels were brought to Arizona in the 1850s for use as pack animals. Some famous Arizonans are Barry Goldwater (US senator), Joan Ganz Cooney (creator of the television show "Sesame Street), Geronimo (Apache chief), and Stewart Udall (US secretary of the interior).

 

General Information State Bird: Cactus Wren State Flower: Saguaro State Tree: Paloverde State Capitol: Phoenix Area: 295,023 sq. km Population: 3,665,000 Elevation: 3851m-21m Major Cities: Phoenix / Tucson Industry Information Agriculture Industry: Beef, Cotton, Milk and Hay Fishing Industry: None Mining Industry: Copper, Molybdenum, Sand Gravel and Silver Manufacturing Industry: Non-Electric Machinery, Primary Metals, Printed Materials and Food Products Temperature Range Spring Temperature (range): 10C / 29C (Phoenix) Summer Temperature (range): 24C /41C (Phoenix) Fall Temperature (range): 12C / 31C (Phoenix) Winter Temperature (range): 2C / 18C (Phoenix)