Member State of the United States of America located in the mountainous region of the Southwest of the country. Arizona is bordered by Mexico in the south and is also bordered by the states of New Mexico in the east, Colorado in the northeast, Utah in the north, Nevada in the northwest, and California in the west. It covers an area of 295 000 km 2 and has a population of 4,486,500 residents (2004). The capital of Arizona is Phoenix.
Arizona has some of the most spectacular scenery in the United States, from the impressive Grand Canyon to pine forests, mountain meadows and snow-capped volcanoes. While the north of the state is crisscrossed by mountain rivers and canyons, red deserts with amazing rock formations, Indian tribes, and ghost towns from the times of the gold and silver mines can be found in the south and west.
Phoenix, the largest city in the state, borders Scottsdale, the number one resort in Arizona. Both cities offer unique shopping, art galleries and numerous cultural events. Phoenix is the fifth largest city in the United States and has 200 golf courses and a climate that attracts people from all over the country.
According to acronymmonster, the nickname of Arizona is The Grand Canyon State.
Important facts
Land area: 294,333 sq km.
Population: 7,278,717 (2019 estimate)
Population density: 22 per sq km.
Capital: Phoenix.
Abbreviationfinder: To send a traditional mail or package through postal service, you will need to use two-letter abbreviation for state name, for example, Arizona. Now, it comes to the question: what is the abbreviation for Arizona.
Attractions in Arizona
To become active
Local operators offer raft trips on the Salt and Verde rivers as well as combined raft and jeep trips in the Sonoran desert. The Colorado River is a paradise for whitewater riders. Alternatives are hang-gliding, flights on historic airplanes and hot air balloon rides.
Apache trail
The Apache Trail is suitable as a day trip with an all-terrain car. It connects Apache Junction on the edge of the greater Phoenix area with Theodore Roosevelt Lake and runs through the Superstition Mountains and the Tonto National Forest. The Apache Trail is one of the most scenic routes in the USA: It leads through deserts and gorges, over rocky foothills, past glittering lakes and along attractive state parks.
Viewpoints over the Gran Canyon
The viewpoints along East Rim Drive from Grand Canyon Village to Desert View offer spectacular views. There is a free shuttle bus to West Rim Drive. A free-floating glass structure at a height of 1,200 meters, the so-called Skywalk in the Grand Canyon West area, in the Hualapai Reserve, can be reached via a visitor center. There are also spectacular viewpoints on the northern edge, such as from the Grand Canyon Lodge, the Bright Angel Point Trail, the Toroweep Overlook and the Cape Royal Scenic Drive. There is a lodge (phantom ranch) and several campsites in the valley; however you should book in advance.
Biosphere 2
A giant ball made of plexiglass, called Biosphere 2, houses the laboratory northeast of Tucson near Oro Valley for a unique experiment. The plexiglass sphere contains five separate, self-contained ecosystems in which the University of Arizona conducts research on climate and ecology. The experiment was originally intended to help populate Mars and show that it is possible to create an ecosystem that is independent and self-sustaining from the outside world.
Grand Canyon
The Grand Canyon is arguably the most famous tourist destination in the entire United States – its size is undoubtedly impressive. The oldest layers of rock in the world can be seen on the steep walls. The Grand Canyon Railway runs between Williams and the southern edge of the Grand Canyon, the most visited side of the canyon.
Indian reservations
Around 200,000 Navajos live in the 15,600 sq km Navajo Reserve. The formerly semi-nomadic tribes are known for their adaptability and have incorporated many skills from Spanish and other early settlers into their culture. Some of them still live in traditional hogans (dome-shaped houses made of wood and adobe) in small, widely scattered settlements. The rock dwellings of the Anasazi, which are also in the reserve, were already inhabited by Indians in the 13th century. Connected museums offer insights into the culture of the Navajos. In the middle of the reserve is the 1560 sq km Hopi Indian Reservation, in which 7000 Hopis are at home. They have lived in this area for 1500 years and are known for their amazing agricultural skills in this dry and barren soil.
Lake Havasu City
In the desert city you will find the curiosity of the London Bridge, which was dismantled in London and originally rebuilt in Lake Havasu City. It now runs over the Colorado River and is the center of a number of shops, pubs and pensions in the pseudo-English style (‘English Village’).
Lake Powell, Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend
The area around Lake Powell, northeast of the Grand Canyon, into the state of Utah, is a real wonderland of red rocks and blue water. Various boat tours are organized on the huge, idyllic lake, including the Rainbow Bridge, the largest natural stone bridge in the world. From Lake Powell Resort you can rent speed boats and houseboats. Rafting tours into the Grand Canyon start from Lee’s Ferry. Nearby are the unique Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend, a really worth seeing horseshoe-shaped loop in the Colorado River.
Montezuma Castle National Monument
South of Sedona is the Montezuma Castle National Monument. The Indian building, which is set into the rock face above Beaver Creek, has 5 floors and 20 rooms. These rock dwellings of the prehistoric Sinagua, which settled in Arizona 2000 years ago, are very well preserved.
Monument Valley
Monument Valley is on the Arizona-Utah state border in the middle of the Navajo Nation Reservation. It has repeatedly served as a film location and film set and is therefore known worldwide for many films such as Easy Rider, Forrest Gump, Thelma & Louise and numerous westerns. Exceptional rock formations made of red sandstone make visitors quiet and amazed.
Museums in Phoenix
The Arizona Capitol Museum is located in the Arizona State Capitol. The Arizona Science Center with a planetarium is located in the Heritage and Science Park. Other museums worth seeing include the Phoenix Art Museum with art from the 16th to the 20th centuries, the Heard Museum for art, anthropology, history and culture of the Native Americans in Arizona as well as the Pueblo Grande Museum and Cultural Park. The Musical Instrument Museum houses the largest collection of musical instruments in the world.
Petrified Forest National Park
The Petrified Forest (translated “petrified forest”) National Park, is located in the colorful Painted Desert in northeast Arizona. When the swamps, which were located here about 200 million years ago, dried up, the fallen trunks of the huge conifers sank into the mud and were transformed into quartz by a chemical process. Today they still shine in their original colors, numerous fossils are stamped on their surface. In 1906 the area was placed under nature protection.
Phoenix
Phoenix, located in the Sorona Desert, is Arizona’s capital. It is the sixth largest city in the United States. In Phoenix the sun mostly shines and the heat during the summer months can only be endured in air-conditioned rooms. Concerts, markets and street theater take place on the Copper Square in the center of the city center. Historic Heritage Square is a restored neighborhood with 19th-century buildings that house museums, restaurants, and shops. The Arizona Center is a large shopping center in the middle of the city.
Scottsdale
Scottsdale offers an interesting cultural offer, excellent shopping and is well suited for outdoor activities such as golf, horse riding, cycling or hiking. There are numerous 4 and 5 star resorts and over 200 golf courses. The Scottsdale Fashion Square and The Borgata invite you to shop. Old Town Scottsdale resembles an old western town and is home to restaurants, bars, art galleries and shops. The Scottsdale Civic Center Mall houses the Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art and the Scottsdale Center of the Performing Arts. In the northeast is Taliesin West, home and workplace of the famous architect Frank Lloyd Wright. The Scottsdale Historical Museum is also worth a visit.
Sedona and Oak Creek Canyon
The city of Sedona lies amidst red rock formations and cliffs at the foot of Oak Creek in the Verde Valley. Lush greenery flourishes in the beautiful Verde River Canyon. Attractions such as Slide Rock State Park and the Chapel of the Holy Cross attract tourists to Sedona. One can visit prehistoric ruins of the Indians. The Verde Canyon Railroad train route is nearby. Excursions and jeep tours into the valley as well as hot air balloon rides are offered, often barbecues in western style by the river or live entertainment are part of the program. The region is ideal for hiking tours.
Tonto National Monument
The Tonto National Monument is a well-preserved cliff settlement, founded 500 years ago by Salado Indians, and its weaving, jewelry, weapons and tools are on display in a visitor center.
Tubac
Tubac, a former Spanish garrison site south of Tucson, is an artist colony with shops, the Tubac Center of the Arts and art galleries, and the walled Presidio (Spanish fortress). Historical buildings, a museum and an underground archaeological collection can also be visited.
Tucson
This popular western town is the second largest city in Arizona. Tucson is located in the middle of a mountain range in the Sonoran Desert and is known for always sunny weather. The place is only 160 km from the Mexican border. The Mexican influence can be seen in the architecture, the good cuisine, the lively festivals and colorful cultural festivals. The Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum is a natural history museum with a botanical garden and zoo. Also of interest are the Tucson Museum of Art, the University of Arizona Art Museum, the Center of Creative Photography and the Museum of Contemporary Art. Tucson has a lively student nightlife.
Desert feeling
The majestic Saguaro cacti can be seen in the Saguaro National Park in the Sonoar desert near Tucson. The Tohono Chul Park is a desert protection area, in which you get an insight into the life of the desert and in between you can get cold refreshments in the tea room. Papago Park is a hilly desert park that lies between the cities of Phoenix, Tempe, and Scottsdale. In addition to the vegetation typical of the regional desert and interesting geological formations, the main attractions of Papago Park are the Phoenix Zoo and the Desert Botanical Gardens. The park also has picnic areas, small lakes, golf, baseball and softball courts, hiking and biking trails, and the grave of George WP, the first governor of Arizona. On the border with Mexico, in the Sonoran Desert, the Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument desert park overlooks the Ajo Mountains. Beautiful specimens of organ pipe cacti, 15 m high Saguaro cacti, 25 other types of cactus and other desert plants grow here.
Over and through the Grand Canyon
The Grand Canyon can also be visited by plane or helicopter. Spectacular views are guaranteed. Rafting trips through the entire canyon are also offered. There are numerous hiking trails along the East and West Rim Drive through the park, mule rides down the Bright Angel Trail to the Colorado River provide interesting access.
