The State of Arizona, whose capital Phoenix, is a state located in the southwestern region of the United States of America as one of the Four Corners states. It borders New Mexico, Utah, Nevada, California, and Colorado. It also has a 389 mile international border with the states of Sonora and Baja California in Mexico. Arizona is the 6th largest state area wise, with 118,000 square miles (15% of which is privately owned)
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The State of Arizona, whose capital Phoenix, is a state located in the southwestern region of the United States of America as one of the Four Corners states. It borders New Mexico, Utah, Nevada, California, and Colorado. It also has a 389 mile international border with the states of Sonora and Baja California in Mexico. Arizona is the 6th largest state area wise, with 118,000 square miles (15% of which is privately owned)
Arizona was the 48th and last of the contiguous states admitted to the Union on February 14, 1912.
Arizona has mild winters and hot summers, with thunderstorms during the summer months between July and September. Great extremes in temperatures occur between day and night throughout the state, particularly in the desert areas where daytime temperatures over 125°F have been recorded. During winter, temperatures average at about 70°F, dropping to below freezing in the desert valleys. Summer temperatures can vary from 80°F to 35-40°F at night. Snow falls in the mountains, but not in the desert areas, and the mild temperatures in the southern desert attract many tourists in winter.
Mining and cattle-raising were the principal economic activities in Arizona during the territorial period. With the introduction of irrigation in the early 1900s, farming assumed a greater importance. Improvements in transportation later in the 20th century led to the development of their manufacturing and tourism sector.
Arizona is one of America's prime tourist destinations. Tourism in Arizona is well developed due to the climate, natural scenery (such as the Grand Canyon, which has been touted the eight Wonder of the World), and the sites of old Indian cultures. Arizona has much to see and do from the Hoover Dam to the Navajo Indian Reservation. The deserts, rivers, mountains and canyons of Arizona are becoming popular with bird enthusiasts as well as cyclists, hikers, and climbers. 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 Arizona.
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