Population: 6 482.505 thousand people (2011)
Area: 295254.0 sq. km
According to citypopulationreview.com, the state of Arizona is located in the southwest of the United States, which, along with New Mexico, Colorado and Utah, is part of the “states of the four corners”. Its capital is Phoenix. Arizona is the 48th state in the country. In the south, its territory borders on Mexico, in the north – on Utah, in the western part – on California and Nevada, in the northeast – on Colorado, in the east – on New Mexico. The relief of most of the state is an alternation of mountain ranges, deserts and plateaus.
In the north is the Grand Canyon of the Colorado River, in the southwest is the Sonoran Desert, on the territory of which the cities of Yuma, Tucson and Phoenix are located. On the lands of Arizona there is a unique forest where yellow pines grow. The Sonoran Desert is characterized by an abundance of flora and fauna. This is accompanied by two rainy seasons during the year. The Mojave Desert, which is located in northwestern Arizona, has sparse vegetation, including a small number of trees. In the north, part of the territory of the Colorado Plateau is occupied by the Colored Desert, in the southeast – by the Chihuahua Desert. Among the natural reservoirs of Arizona, the largest are the Colorado River and its tributary Gila. Most of Arizona is located in the Colorado River basin.
The Grand Canyon, located in northern Arizona, is one of the seven natural wonders of the world. Over a million years ago, it was created by the Colorado River. The lands of the state are famous for the place where the trace of the meteorite is located. In the middle of the plains of the Colorado Plateau is the crater Baringer Meteorite, which is a huge funnel.
A popular and traditional place for Major League Baseball practice in the spring is Arizona. The local area is the birthplace of baseball leagues – the Falls, which was founded in 1992 and Winters. Phoenix has an art museum that houses a unique collection of paintings from around the world. The number of exhibits varies within 18 thousand works. Head Museum, which is the main repository of Native American art, is also located in the capital city and receives more than 250,000 visitors every year.
GILBERT
Population: 207,550 thousand people (2008)
Area: 121.6 sq. km
Time zone: UTC-8, summer UTC-7
Altitude: 377 m
Zip code: 928
Gilbert, in Maricopa County, is one of the cities that make up the Phoenix metropolitan area. It is located in the center of Arizona and in the southeastern part of the metropolitan area. See Arizona counties.
The city appeared thanks to the initiative of William Gilbert, who in 1902 provided this area for the construction of a railroad from Phoenix to Florence (Arizona). At the railway station, a small settlement arose, the inhabitants of which were engaged exclusively in agriculture. It is curious that the first store in Gilbert appeared only 10 years after the formation of the settlement. In 1912, the town increased significantly due to the Mormons, who were forced to flee from Mexico, which was turbulent at that time.
Gilbert was once considered the “hay capital of the world”, which once again proved the specifics of the local economy. Subsequently, the city reformatted the economic vector of development, which was facilitated by the proximity of Phoenix. Currently, Gilbert’s leading industries are medicine and education. Gilbert is considered a respectable place to live: the crime rate is very low, and in 2005 not a single crime was recorded here.
The elementary school building (1913), now serves as a local historical museum, is a historical object of the national level. The rest of the sights are local. This is a water tower (1925), and the building of the first Gilbert prison (1918) and some others built in the 1910s and 20s. There are several parks with water bodies in the city (Friston, McQueen, Coastal), as well as a vast green square with a fountain in front of the city hall.
GLENDALE
Population: 226.721 thousand people (2010)
Area: 144.4 sq. km
Time zone: UTC-8, summer UTC-7
Altitude: 351 m
The city of Glendale is located in Maricopa County and is part of the Phoenix metropolitan area, actually being a suburb of the capital of Arizona. In its central part is the famous shopping area. Translated from English, the name of the city means “Valley”. Glendale is known as the “old capital of Arizona”. So it is called in everyday life not only by the townspeople, but also by the inhabitants of the district and the state. The city opened a university and two higher schools – medical and economic. Between the administrative center of the state and the outskirts of Glendale lie 14 kilometers. Previously, a street railway passed through the city, which ceased to function in 1916 for technical reasons.
Until the beginning of the 17th century, the area where the modern city is located was inhabited by the Hohokam Indian tribes. They created irrigation canals to irrigate the land. With the arrival of the first Europeans, they were forced to leave these places. Famous natives include American actor and singer Martin Robinson. He was a fan of car racing and often took part in them. Public recognition and popularity brought him songs in country style.
MESA
Population: 452.933 thousand people (2007)
Area: 324.2 sq. km
Founded: 1878
Time zone: UTC-7, summer UTC-6
Altitude: 378 m
Zip code: 85200-85299
The city of Mesa is located in the state of Arizona. Its founders were Mormon settlers. And now their descendants live here and make up almost 10 percent of the total number of citizens. In fact, Mesa is a suburb of Phoenix and has the status of a “dormitory area”. Despite this, it is the largest city in the country and continues to develop rapidly. In its center rises a Mormon temple, notable for its large size. Not so long ago, it was reconstructed and the interior of the building was updated.
The Arizona Museum of Natural History is open in Mesa. Its unique exhibits are represented by historical and cultural values of the southwestern part of the country. Founded in 1977, it has now expanded its territory considerably. Its meetings and collections contain more than 55 thousand items. Within the museum complex is the old building Serrine House, erected in 1896 in the spirit of the Victorian era. Important city events are often held in its halls. The museum is also actively involved in the excavation of the Hohokam ruins.
