Arizona

Arizona is a state in the southwestern United States. It is bordered by California and Nevada to the west, Utah to the northwest, New Mexico to the east, and the Mexican state of Sonora to the south; the Four Corners region marks a corner with Colorado. The capital and largest city is Phoenix, which anchors a sizable metropolitan area that includes several other cities such as Mesa and Scottsdale. Arizona is commonly known as the Grand Canyon State, a reference to the Grand Canyon, one of the state’s most visited natural features and a major national park.

Geography and climate: The state encompasses desert regions, notably the Sonoran Desert in the south, and portions of the Mojave Desert in the north, as well as areas of the Colorado Plateau in the north that reach higher elevations. The climate is primarily arid to semi-arid, with hot summers and mild winters; monsoon season brings periodic rainfall and storms.

History: Indigenous peoples such as the Hohokam and Ancestral Puebloans inhabited the region long before European contact. Spanish exploration began in the 16th century. After Mexican independence, the area became part of the United States following the Mexican-American War and was organized as a U.S. territory in 1863. Arizona attained statehood in 1912 as the 48th state.

Economy and society: Arizona has a diversified economy with copper mining playing a major role, along with aerospace, manufacturing, agriculture, and tourism. The state features several major universities, including the University of Arizona and Arizona State University. Major population centers include Phoenix, Tucson, and surrounding communities.