Arizona Facts

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When to visit

Most people think of Arizona’s deserts and assume there’s not much in the way of seasons there, but there are indeed seasons, and some are better for visiting than others.

The White Mountains in particular see all four seasons, with a good deal of climate change and attendant activities. Winter is the peak there thanks to snowy slopes, but visitors to the White Mountains in the less crowded autumn months can see foliage to rival New England.

The Grand Canyon, on the other hand, is closed to the public from mid-May to mid-October due to heavy snows, so the summer months see the most visitors. Crowds and prices are daunting during the summer in the Grand Canyon, but visiting at any time requires arrangements made well in advance; it’s that popular. Summer in Arizona is also the prime time to visit the state’s forests.

Facts:

State Abbreviation: AZ
State Capital: Phoenix
Largest City: Phoenix
Area: 114,006 square miles (6th biggest state in the USA)
Arizona Population: 5,743,834 (as of 2004)
Major Industries: mining, manufacturing, and tourism
Arizona Rivers: Colorado River, Little Colorado River, Gila River
Arizona Lakes: Lake Mead, Lake Havasu, Roosevelt Lake
Highest Point: Humphreys Peak - 12,633 feet above sea level
State Nickname: Grand Canyon State
State Motto: "Ditat Deus," God Enriches
Origin of the Name: O'odham Indian word "Aleh-zone" which means "small spring".