Cool Facts About Arizona

Arizona is a big state and even living here for 60 years there is always something you didn’t know!

Arizona, the Grand Canyon state, was originally part of Spanish and Mexican territories. The land was ceded to the United States in 1848 and became a separate territory in 1863. Arizona officially earned its statehood in 1912. Arizona is the sixth largest state in the country in terms of area.

Arizona is located in the American Southwest. It is the 48th state admitted to the Union on February 14, 1912. The word Arizona derives from the Aztec Indian word “arizuma,” which means “silver-bearing.”

Arizona’s most famous and now official nickname, “The Grand Canyon State” celebrates its most iconic feature, the Grand Canyon. Arizona is also known as the “Copper State” revealing its abundance in this mineral. The Grand Canyon National Park is one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World, and the only one located within the United States.

Approximately 85 percent of Arizona’s land comprises national forests, national parks, recreation and wilderness areas, wildlife preserves and Indian reservations. In addition, Arizona is home to several of the world’s “sky islands,” which are mountains surrounded by valleys that boast wide-ranging ecosystems of plant and animal life.

Phoenix is the 5th largest city in America with an estimated population of 1,680,992. It is located within the heart of the 10th largest metropolitan area in the country with an estimated population of 4,948,203. Phoenix is the most populous state capital in the United States.

The average state elevation is 4,000 feet (1,219 meters) above sea level. Arizona has 3,928 mountain peaks and summits. Twenty-six peaks top 10,000 feet (3,048 meters) in elevation. Humphrey’s Peak is the highest point in Arizona with an elevation of 12,637 feet (3,852 meters).

Havasupai Falls Arizona is a major destination for hikers who want to visit the blue green waterfalls. Hidden in the Grand Canyon, and difficult to get reservations for, this paradise is for those who can plan ahead and enjoy hikes of 8 miles or more. The Havasupai people live near the Havasupai Falls in the Supai Village.

Grand Falls is a natural waterfall system located 30 miles northeast of Flagstaff, Arizona in the Painted Desert on the Navajo Nation. It is also called Chocolate Falls because of the color. It dumps snow melt or seasonal rain into the Little Colorado River below.

The Arizona National Scenic Trail is a National Scenic Trail from Mexico to Utah that traverses the whole north–south length of the U.S. state of Arizona. The trail begins at the Coronado National Memorial near the US–Mexico border and moves north through parts of the Huachuca, Santa Rita, and Rincon Mountains.

The Arizona Trail has something for everyone, from remote and challenging wilderness to easily accessible passages near many gateway communities. The trail showcases Arizona’s diverse vegetation, wildlife, scenery, and history in a way that provides a unique and unparalleled Arizona experience.

The Arizona Trail was designated a National Scenic Trail by Congress in 2009 and is administered by the U.S. Forest Service. Other partners in the management and protection of the trail include the Bureau of Land Management, the National Park Service, Arizona State Parks, the Arizona Trail Association, and several counties and municipalities.