
Arizona Overview
According to ehotelat, the American state of Arizona, with its capital Phoenix and the area where the famous Grand Canyon is located, is very well known and much visited. The national park in particular, in which the Grand Canyon is located, is a favorite destination of tourists, the red stones of this area and the breathtaking appearance of the rugged and partly rocky landscape exert a very special charm.
Wide, arid plains, in which cacti can be found here and there, are the typical image of Arizona, but this image does not show the many different impressions that can be gained in this state.
You will look in vain for green landscapes in Arizona, but nature here is very beautiful and worth seeing, even if it does not immediately catch the eye or blooms in bright colors. The wide plains and large cities in Arizona are practically in the immediate vicinity, so that you can always enjoy what you feel like doing.
Further hiking and cycling are no problem in this area. So you can get a picture of Arizona in peace and quiet. The city of Phoenix is definitely not to be missed, because while the Grand Canyon and landscape are the highlights of Arizona, the city has its sights too.
Arizona – key data
Land area: 295,254 sq km (6th place of all states in the USA)
Share of water surface: 0.32%
Population: 6.5 million people (2008 estimate, ranked 14th of all states in the USA)
Population density: 22 residents per square kilometer (33rd place of all states in the USA)
Member of the United States since: February 14, 1912
Languages: English (74.1%), Spanish (19.5%), Navalo (1.9%)
Capital: Phoenix (1.55 million residents, 2007, metropolitan area 4.28 million)
Largest city : Phoenix
Highest point: 3,851 m, Humphreys Peak
Lowest point: 21 m, Colorado River
Governor: Jan Brewer (Republican)
Senators: Jon Kyl (Republican), John McCain (Republican)
Local time: CET -8 h. From the second Sunday in March to the first Sunday in November: CET -7 h.
The time difference to Central Europe is -8 h in both winter and summer.
Postal abbreviation: AZ
Arizona geography and map
Arizona is located in the southwest of the United States. The landlocked state is bordered by Utah to the north, Mexico to the south, New Mexico to the east and Nevada and California to the west. In the extreme northeast, the borders of Arizona also run towards the Four-Corners-Point, the only state quadrangle in the United States. In addition to Utah and New Mexico, Arizona also meets Colorado at the Four Corners Monument.
With an area of approximately 295,254 square kilometers, Arizona is the sixth largest state in the United States after New Mexico and followed by Nevada. Some interesting fact r Regarding the area of Arizona: The water content of the total area of the state is just 0.32 percent; this makes Arizona the state with the lowest percentage of water bodies after New Mexico. About 15 percent of Arizona’s land is privately owned; the rest of the area is divided into public forests and parklands, recreational areas and, last but not least, Native American reservations.
The high altitudes Arizonas range from 21 meters above sea level on the Colorado River near Yuma to 3,851 meters at the summit of San Francisco Peak north of Flagstaff. The largest north-south extension is about 635 kilometers, the largest east-west extension about 555 kilometers. The geographic center of Arizona is in Yavapai County, southeast of Prescott.
Arizona is famous for its desert landscape, which is rich in xerophyte plants – including cacti – and for its climate, which is characterized by hot summers and mild winters. Less known is the pine-covered highlands of the Colorado Plateau in the northeast of the state, which contrasts sharply with the Basin and Range region forms in the western and southern part of the state. The characteristic topographical features, from which this region owes its name, consist of mountain ranges with bizarre rock formations, which alternate with extensive plains and cover more than half of the area of Arizona.
The Colorado River forms a significant part of Arizona’s western border. Over a length of around 1,600 kilometers, the Colorado River flows through several canyons, including what is probably the most imposing and impressive, the Grand Canyon. The Grand Canyon is a colorful, steep 450-kilometer canyon that separates the Arizona Strip – the northwest of the state – from the rest of Arizona. The canyon is between six and 30 kilometers wide and up to 1,800 meters deep. It is one of the greatest natural wonders on earth and is largely located in Grand Canyon National Park, one of the first national parks in the United States.
In addition to the Colorado River, the Little Colorado River in the northeast and the Gila River in central and southern Arizona are other major rivers in the state.