Flag of Arizona	Seal of Arizona

Arizona is a U.S. state located in the Southwestern United States. It is best known for its desert landscape, which includes cacti. Arizona is also known for its exceptionally hot summers and mild winters. Less well known is the pine-covered high country in the north-central portion of the state, which contrasts with the lower deserts of the state.

Arizona is one of the Four Corners states. It borders New Mexico, Utah, Nevada, California, touches Colorado, and has a 389-mile (626 km) international border with the states of Sonora and Baja California Norte in Mexico. Aside from the Grand Canyon, many other National Forests, Parks, Monuments, and Indian reservations are located in the state. Arizona was the 48th state admitted into the U.S. (1912), and the last of the contiguous states admitted.

Arizona is located in the Western United States as one of the Four Corners states. Arizona is the sixth largest state in area, after New Mexico and before Nevada. Of the state's 118,000 square miles, approximately 15% is privately owned. The remaining area is government forest and park land, recreation areas and Native American reservations.

Arizona is best known for its desert landscape, which is rich in xerophyte plants such as cactus. It is also known for its climate, which presents exceptionally hot summers and mild winters. Less well known is the pine-covered high country of the Colorado Plateau in the north-central portion of the state, which contrasts with the desertic Basin and Range region in the southern portions of the state.

Like other states of the Southwest, Arizona has an abundance of topographical characteristics in addition to its desert climate. More than half of the state features mountains and plateaus and contains the largest stand of Ponderosa pine in the United States. The Mogollon Rim, a 2000-foot (600 m) escarpment, cuts across the central section of the state and marks the southwestern edge of the Colorado Plateau, where the state experienced its worst forest fire ever in 2002. Arizona belongs firmly within the Basin and Range region of North America. The region was shaped by prehistoric volcanism, followed by a cooling-off and related subsidence. The entire region is slowly sinking.

Arizona is home to one of the largest and most well-preserved meteorite impact sites in the world. The Barringer Meteorite Crater (better known simply as "Meteor Crater") is a gigantic hole in the middle of the high plains of the Colorado Plateau, about 25 miles west of Winslow. A rim of smashed and jumbled boulders, some of them the size of small houses, rises 150 feet above the level of the surrounding plain. The crater itself is nearly a mile wide, and 570 feet deep.

The Grand Canyon is a colorful, steep-sided gorge, carved by the Colorado River, in northern Arizona. The canyon is one of the seven natural wonders of the world and is largely contained in the Grand Canyon National Park—one of the first national parks in the United States. President Theodore Roosevelt was a major proponent of designating the Grand Canyon area, visiting on numerous occasions to hunt mountain lion and enjoy the scenery.

The Canyon was created by the Colorado River cutting a channel over millions of years, and is about 277 miles (446 km) long, ranges in width from 4 to 18 miles (6 to 29 kilometers) and attains a depth of more than 1 mile (1.6 km). Nearly 2 billion years of the Earth's history has been exposed as the Colorado River and its tributaries cut through layer after layer of sediment as the Colorado Plateaus have uplifted.

Arizona does not observe Daylight Saving Time, except in the Navajo Nation located in the northeastern region of the state.

Due to its large area and variations in elevation, the state has a wide variety of localized climate conditions. In the lower elevations, the climate is primarily desert, with mild winters and hot summers. Typically, from late fall to early spring, the weather is mild, averaging a minimum of 60 degrees Fahrenheit (15 °C). November through February are the coldest months with temperatures typically ranging from 40–75 °F (4–24 °C), although occasional frosts are not uncommon. About midway through February, the temperatures start to rise again with warm days, and cool breezy nights. The summer months of May through July bring a dry heat ranging from 90–120 °F (32–48 °C), with occasional high temperatures exceeding 125 °F (52 °C) having been observed in the desert area.

Due to the primarily dry climate, large temperature swings often occur between day and night in less developed areas of the desert. The swings can be as large as 50 °F (28 °C) in the summer months. In the state's urban centers, the effects of local warming result in much higher measured nighttime lows than in the recent past.

Arizona has an average annual rainfall of 12.7 inches (322 mm), which comes during two rainy seasons, with cold fronts coming from the Pacific Ocean during the winter and a monsoon in the summer. The monsoon season occurs towards the end of summer. In July or August, the dewpoint rises dramatically for a brief period. During this time,the air contains large amounts of water vapor. Dewpoints as high as 100°F (27 °C) have been recorded during the Phoenix monsoon season. This hot moisture brings lightning, thunderstorms, wind, and torrential, if usually brief, downpours. It is rare for tornadoes and hurricanes to occur in Arizona, but there are records of both occurring.

However, the northern third of Arizona is a plateau at significantly higher altitudes than the lower desert, and has an appreciably cooler climate, with cold winters and mild summers. Extreme cold temperatures are not unknown; cold air systems from the northern states and Canada occasionally push into the state, bringing temperatures below 0 °F (–18 °C) to the higher parts of the state.

Indicative of the variation in climate, Arizona is the state which has both the metropolitan area with the most days over 100 °F (37.8 °C) (Phoenix), and the metropolitan area in the lower 48 states with nearly the most days with a low temperature below freezing (Flagstaff).

Monthly Normal High and Low Temperatures For Various Arizona Cities
City	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Flagstaff	43/17	46/19	50/23	58/27	68/34	79/41	82/50	80/49	74/42	63/31	51/22	44/17
Phoenix	65/43	69/47	74/51	83/58	92/66	102/75	104/81	102/80	97/75	86/63	73/50	65/44
Tucson	65/39	68/42	73/45	82/51	90/59	100/68	100/73	97/72	94/68	84/57	72/45	65/39
Winslow	47/21	54/26	62/31	70/37	79/45	90/54	93/62	90/61	84/53	72/40	58/29	47/21
Yuma	69/43	74/47	79/51	86/57	94/64	103/72	107/80	105/80	101/73	90/62	77/49	68/42

Northern Arizona

The Grand Canyon, Sedona's famed red rocks, Flagstaff's forested mountains, Lake Powell's blue waters and Monument Valley's sandstone spires are some of the natural wonders that await you in Northern Arizona.

Enigmatic landscapes that captivate the imagination and capture the soul are found throughout this singular landscape. Here, the mile-deep Grand Canyon slashes its colorful course across 277 miles, the cobalt-blue waters of Lake Powell mark a stunning contrast against the sandstone shoreline, and the flourishing forests of the San Francisco Peaks seem to reach to the sky.

In addition to beautiful scenery, Northern Arizona also offers the excitement of traveling the “Mother Road”, Route 66, the opportunity to explore Native American cultures, interesting local artwork and delicious regional cuisine.

Phoenix & Central Arizona

Arizona's capital city of Phoenix combines with the surrounding cities of Chandler, Glendale, Mesa, Paradise Valley, Scottsdale and Tempe, among other cities, to form the Valley of the Sun, a rich mecca of diverse experiences.

Central Arizona's desert is home to the Phoenix-metropolitan area and its more than 3.4 million residents. Encompassing more than 2,000 square miles, the area amazes with a variety of experiences, ranging from world-class resorts, spas, shopping and golf courses, to renowned restaurants and a vibrant nightlife. The metropolitan area has all the wonderful experiences you would expect to find in a major city – set against the breathtaking backdrop of the Sonoran Desert.

In addition, the region also boasts fantastic museums and galleries, a wide array of sports events, Old West and Native American history, hiking and other outdoor activities suited for the state's more than 300 days of sunshine each year.

North Central Arizona

Enjoy the cool temperatures of Ponderosa pine forests, dozens of lakes and mountain retreats that welcome visitors.

Though Arizona is often synonymous with desert retreats for snow-weary visitors, the North-Central region's four seasons of recreation and entertainment allow getaways to the cool, pine-scented forests for hiking, biking and horseback riding along tree-shaded mountain trails. Throughout the summer, travelers flock to high-country communities to enjoy rodeos and festivals. In the fall, the aspen leaves turn red and yellow, and in winter, high above the cactus-studded desert, residents and travelers revel in the snowy wonderland of the White Mountains.

Visitors to the area can also satisfy their thirst for new experiences by exploring the area's Old West and Native American cultures, Prescott's famed Whiskey Row, Jerome's burgeoning artist community, a plethora or historic sites and delicious local cuisine.

Tucson & Southern Arizona

Replete with natural wonders, history and culture, Southern Arizona has been romancing visitors with its Old West charm for decades.

The region's most populous city, Tucson, is a thriving metropolis with luxurious golf courses and resorts, a flourishing art and history scene and vivid multi-cultural heritage. With Old West towns and guest ranches, the region makes a perfect Arizona getaway for visitors who want to relive the past. Or, for those with an eye to the sky, the area hosts a variety of astronomical observatories which study everything from our closest star, the sun, to all the stars beyond . Additionally, Southern Arizona's rich riparian areas and rugged mountain ranges rank among the world's best birding sites.

Visitors to the region can also indulge in Arizona-made wine, regional cuisine and explore a variety of natural treasures – the likes of which will not be seen elsewhere.

Arizona's West Coast

Come sail away in a place that blends pleasant desert sunshine with the cool blue waters of the Colorado River.

Arizona's West Coast is wet and often wild, formed as the mighty Colorado River courses its way south from Hoover Dam to Mexico. Along its shoreline, visitors will find vibrant communities filled with fascinating museums and attractions, water-based activities galore, and natural wonders and habitats protecting the wildlife that proliferates along the river.

The region also features a variety of Native American communities, the London Bridge, world-class golf courses and fantastic restaurants.

Whether it’s the thrill of an unparalleled outdoor adventure amid some of the most awe-inspiring scenery on the planet, an exotic sun-drenched getaway to an indulgent, world-class spa or to examine and experience the rich history and multifaceted cultural offerings of the Grand Canyon State, your visit to Arizona is guaranteed to be one that will lift spirits, warm souls and provide memories for years to come.

The Grand Canyon

The Grand Canyon is a place of magnificent beauty, a place unlike anywhere else in the world. It is a magnet that draws visitors from all over the world to take in the view.
Adventures
Start your Grand Canyon vacation at Grand Canyon National Park, a 1.2 million-acre adventure playground offering visitors a wide range of outdoor activities. From hiking, biking and mule rides into the Canyon or along the North and South Rims, to rafting the mighty Colorado River, the park has contains the perfect way to spend a Grand Canyon vacation.
Grand Canyon Biking
Cyclists can enjoy numerous trail rides within the Grand Canyon National Park including the scenic Hermit Road. This eight-mile trail starts just west of Bright Angel Lodge and, as most of it runs within a few yards of the Canyon, offers cyclists a succession of different but equally impressive Canyon panoramas.
There are currently also four miles of multi-use "Greenway" trails on the South Rim, which are perfect for cyclists and form part of the Grand Canyon Greenway. Once complete, the Grand Canyon Greenway network will offer cyclists and hikers alike 73 miles of multi-use trails along the North and South Rims.

Arizona Origins

Arizona’s rich and storied landscape is a treasure for intrepid travelers. Genuine timeless discoveries and off-the-beaten-path experiences await around every corner. From Native American ruins to fossils 225 million years old, this is a destination that preserves its heritage while carving a unique niche in the present.

Proud to be an official signatory of the National Geographic Geotourism Charter, the Arizona Office of Tourism has created Arizona Origins — a celebration of culture, nature, history and heritage. In fact, Arizona and Sonora, Mexico, in collaboration with National Geographic, have published a map highlighting the Arizona-Sonoran Desert region. It features over 80 authentic experiences, such as Ramsey Canyon Preserve and the Heard Museum.

Arts, Culture & Heritage

Arizona is a crossroad of culture and heritage where many different traditions have met and combined into a unique culture that defines Arizona.
Dining

Arizona is blessed with abundant sunshine and spectacular natural beauty. But many residents already know how to enjoy one of the best attractions in the Grand Canyon State – the food.

Cuisine of every kind, much of it by award-winning chefs, can be found in every corner of the state. If you’ve never experienced authentic Native American or Mexican food, you will not be disappointed in what Arizona offers. Food selections are so diverse and unique that the only thing you might need to worry about is your waistline!

Family Fun

Think of Arizona as America's natural "amusement park," where family fun and adventure await in every corner of the state. Add an engaging selection of Old West towns, dude ranches, mines, man-made lakes, railroads and other diversions, and the result is a family vacation like no other.

Children of all ages can stand in four states at one time at Four Corners Monument on the Navajo Nation in Northern Arizona. As one of the seven natural wonders of the world, the Grand Canyon is a mile-deep gorge that stretches for 277 miles across Northern Arizona and is packed with exciting activities. Zoos and wildlife parks offer exotic habitats, unique viewing opportunities and special events. A host of unusual museums also dots the state, including the hands-on Arizona Science Center, the Hall of Flame Fire Museum and the Pima Air and Space Museum, to name a few.

Families on vacation can also enjoy Arizona's plentiful water activities, with Lake Powell's 2,000 miles of shoreline in the northern part of the state and the two-mile Tempe Town Lake, where motorized and non-motorized watercraft cruise the formerly dry riverbed between Tempe and Phoenix.

In Southern Arizona, a visit to a dude ranch brings out the inner cowboy in guests of all ages and winter guests can have a grand adventure in any one of Arizona's frosty ski areas.

Whether visitors have a couple of days or a couple of weeks, Arizona is a virtual playground of activities and adventures for families to enjoy.

Golf

Arizona's golf courses are as diverse and spectacular as its landscape. With more than 300 courses across the state, Arizona can offer a unique golfing experience. Ranging from desert target style to links courses and alpine fairways, visitors are sure to find a good tee time that also fits their budget. Of course, planning ahead is always recommended.

Nightlife

Arizona is home to many cultures and just as many ways to spend your evenings out on the town. Sample some home-grown Arizona wine at any one of Arizona’s unique wine bars, spend the evening watching the game and enjoying great drinks at a local brewery or sports bar or catch a show at a live music venue (the Greater Metro area has everything from live music in small coffee shops to large stadiums). There are also plenty of options for quiet, romantic evenings or casual nights shooting pool.

Outdoor Recreation

Arizona is blessed with bright sunshine and fantastic weather year-round, and you'll find endless places to fish, sail, swim, stroll, tramp, run, pedal, paddle – and even just sit and be amazed. You can climb into the sky by balloon or hang-glider, explore the dark depths of great caves, raft whitewater rivers and put miles between you and civilization on the back of a trustworthy horse. You can get a close-up view of plants and animals in the wild, or at our state's many zoos, parks and botanical gardens.

Shopping
You'll find something to satisfy every taste at Arizona's hundreds of indoor and outdoor malls, antique stores, clothing boutiques, gift shops and art galleries – to name just a few venues. This state uncovers everything chic and sleek about the Arizona shopping experience. With so many shopping venues throughout Arizona, a long stay is a must to experience them all. From unique downtown shops and outlet stores to upscale, internationally renowned shopping, Arizona truly offers a shopper’s paradise. So take a long vacation and get shopping!

Spas

If you need a little indulgence and pampering, you couldn't choose a better vacation spot than the Grand Canyon State. Arizona is home to luxurious spas that have been named some of the world's best by Conde Nast Traveler, Travel + Leisure and Zagat.

Top spas offer treatments inspired by Asian and European cultures, as well as unique body wraps, scrubs and therapies inspired by the state's Native American culture. Set in stunning backdrops, these treatments will soothe your mind and rejuvenate your soul.

After a respite at one of the luxurious spas around the state, you're sure to feel relaxed and ready to take on the world!

Sports

Arizona is a sports lover's paradise, whether you are a spectator, participant or a little of both. With year-round sunny skies, you never have to lose a day or two of your vacation due to inclement weather. Fans flock to Arizona for its wide range of professional sports. The Major League Baseball 2001 World Champion Arizona Diamondbacks, NBA Phoenix Suns and WBNA Phoenix Mercury play in Phoenix, the National Lacrosse League Arizona Sting, NHL Coyotes, and NFL Arizona Cardinals play in Glendale. Triple-A Tucson Sidewinders play in the southern portion of the state and MLB Cactus League Spring Training brings teams from all over the country into the Greater Phoenix and Tucson areas.

Phoenix is also home to the World Champion Arena Football League Arizona Rattlers. Avondale's Phoenix International Raceway hosts some of the largest crowds in the state for NASCAR and Indy races.

The 2006 total gross state product was $232 billion. If Arizona (and each of the other US states) were an independent country along with all existing countries (2005), it would have the 61st largest economy in the world (CIA - The World Factbook). This figure gives Arizona a larger economy than such countries as Ireland, Finland, and New Zealand. Arizona currently has the 21st largest economy among states in the United States. As a percentage of its overall budget, Arizona's projected 1.7 billion deficit for '09 is the largest in the country.

The state's per capita income is $27,232, 39th in the U.S. Arizona had a median household income of $46,693 making it 27th in the country and just shy of the US national median. Early in its history, Arizona's economy relied on the "Five C's": copper (see Copper mining in Arizona), cotton, cattle, citrus, and climate (tourism). At one point Arizona was the largest producer of cotton in the country. Copper is still extensively mined from many expansive open-pit and underground mines, accounting for two-thirds of the nation's output.

Employment

The state government is Arizona's largest employer, while Wal-Mart is the state's largest private employer, with 17,343 employees (2008).

Taxation

Arizona collects personal income taxes in five brackets: 2.87%, 3.20%, 3.74%, 4.72% and 5.04%. The 'sales tax' is gernerally aroung 6.3%.

The state rate on transient lodging (hotel/motel) is 7.27%. The state of Arizona does not levy a state tax on food for home consumption or on drugs prescribed by a licensed physician or dentist. However, some cities in Arizona do levy a tax on food for home consumption.

All fifteen Arizona counties levy a tax. Incorporated municipalities also levy transaction privilege taxes which, with the exception of their hotel/motel tax, are generally in the range of 1-to-3%. These added assessments could push the combined sales tax rate to as high as 10.7%.

Single	Tax Rate	Joint	Tax Rate
0 - $10,000	2.870%	0 - $20,000	2.870%
$10,000 - $25,000	3.200%	$20,001 - $50,000	3.200%
$25,000 - $50,000	3.740%	$50,001 - $100,000	3.740%
$50,000 - $150,001	4.720%	$100,000 - $300,001	4.720%
$150,001 +	5.040%	$300,001 +	5.040%