Arizona is in the southwestern United States. It is bordered by Utah, New Mexico, Mexico, and, across the Colorado River from Nevada and California. Arizona has experienced expansive population growth due to the warm climate and vacation destination lifestyle. Arizona is now the 6th largest state by population.
Area, 113,909 sq mi (295,024 sq km).
Pop. (2000) 5,130,632, a 40% increase since the 1990 census.
Capital and largest city, Phoenix.
Nickname, Grand Canyon State, Copper State.
Motto, Ditat Deus [God Enriches].
State bird, Cactus wren.
State flower, Blossom of the saguaro cactus. 
State tree, Paloverde. The state's principal crops are cotton (as in Pima Cotton!), lettuce, cauliflowers, broccoli, and sorghum. Cattle, calves, and dairy goods are, however, the most valuable Arizona farm products. Manufacturing is the leading economic activity, with electronics, printing and publishing, processed foods, and aerospace and transportation leading sectors. High-technology research and development, communications, and service industries are also important, as are construction (the state is rapidly growing) and tourism. Military facilities contributing to Arizona's economy include Fort Huachuca, Luke and Davis-Monthan air force bases. Testing and training with military aircraft and desert storage of commercial and military planes are both major undertakings.
Arizona abounds in minerals. Copper is the state's most valuable mineral; Arizona leads the nation in production. Other leading resources are molybdenum, sand, gravel, and cement.  Between 2000 and 2009, Arizona's population increased more than 100%, and since then growth has continued. The metro area of Phoenix has a population of over 6 Million people. By the 2000 census the cumulative increase since 1940 amounted to more than 1000%, and Arizona was ranked among the fastest growing states in the nation. The mountainous north, however, has not shared the population growth of the southern sections of the state. Over 80% of the people are Caucasian and nearly 20% are Hispanic. Arizona borders the country of Mexico to the south.
*Information from Columbia Encyclopedia, Sixth Edition |