All About Arizona

State Motto: "Diat Deus" (God Enriches)
State Nickname: Grand Canyon State

State Colors: Blue & Old Gold
State Song: Arizona
State Gem-Stone: Turqoise
State Neckwear: Bola Tie
State Flower: Saguaro Cactus Blossom
State Tree: Pale Verde

State Fossil: Petrified Wood
State Bird: Cactus Wren
State Butterfly: Two-Tailed Swallowtail
State Fish: Apache Trout
State Amphibian: Arizona Tree Frog
State Reptile: Arizona Ridge-Nosed Rattlesnake

Arizona is one of the Four Corners states. It borders New Mexico, Utah, Nevada, California, touches Colorado and has an international border with Mexico. The sixth largest state, Arizona is best known for its desert landscape. Residents are called Arizonans.

Some more interesting tidbits about the state:

• Arizona became a state in 1912 and is known as the "Nation's Valentine" because it joined the union on February 14th.
• Arizona covers approximately 114,000 square miles. About 42% of the land is desert, 25% of the land is grassland and 33% is covered by forests. Check out the Arizona State Map
• The Sonoran Desert covers the southern third of the state.
• Arizona does not observe Daylight Savings Time. The state operates on Pacific Time during the summer months, and on Mountain Time during the winter months.
• The State of Arizona is home to 21 tribal nations.
• Arizona is home to a variety of public lands - under federal, state and local care - that offer something for everyone. Arizona boasts the Grand Canyon National Park - one of the seven natural wonders of the world!
• There are 27 state parks in Arizona that are open to the public.
• Besides relaxation and recreation, Arizona - especially the greater Phoenix area - is a popular destination for meetings, conferences and weddings. Why Choose Phoenix?

Arizona loves sports!

• Arizona big league sports include: Arizona Cardinals (NFL), Arizona Diamondbacks (MLB), Phoenix Suns (NBA), Phoenix Coyotes (NHL) and Phoenix Mercury (WNBA).
• During February and March, Arizona serves as the training home for the Cactus League - 12 major league baseball teams that want to take advantage of the state's warm weather and multi-million dollar training complexes. Nine train in the greater Phoenix metro area and three in Tucson. The teams that claim the Phoenix area as their summer home are: Anaheim Angels, Chicago Cubs, Kansas City Royals, Milwaukee Brewers, Oakland Athletics, San Diego Padres, San Francisco Giants, Seattle Mariners and Texas Rangers. The teams that train in Tucson are the Arizona Diamondbacks, Colorado Rockies and the Chicago White Sox.
• The new Cardinals Stadium will be the site of Super Bowl XLII in 2008 and Fiesta Bowl in 2007.
• Two pro golf tournaments have regular stops in Phoenix: The FBR Open (PGA) and the Safeway International (LPGA); and the Accenture Match Play Championship (WGC) will stop in Tucson.

Some famous Arizona residents & natives include:

• Apache Kid, Indian outlaw
• Erma Bombeck, humorist & writer
• Glenn Campbell, singer
• Cesar Chavez, labor leader
• Cochise, Apache Indian Chief
• Alice Cooper, singer & songwriter
• Wyatt Earp, marshall
• Geronimo, Apache Indian Chief
• Barry Goldwater, politician
• Stevie Nicks, singer
• Linda Ronstadt, singer
• Tanya Tucker, singer
• Frank Lloyd Wright, architect

Map of Arizona provided by WorldAtlas.com