Arizona
by Briana
Arizona is a state of very varying climates. In the summer, it isn't unusual for the temperature to reach over 100 degrees. In the winter, the high central areas get heavy snows. In Flagstaff, the average rainfall is 19 inches and in Phoenix, the average rainfall is 7 inches. In the southern regions and the northern plateau, it is clear and dry.
Arizona is a very big state. In fact, it is the 6th biggest state in the USA! It is 113,909 square miles. It also has many people living in it. The population is 4,217,940 people.
There are many major cities in Arizona. Some are; Yuma, Mesa, Tempe, Scottsdale, Glendale, Sun City, Flagstaff, Tarson and Phoenix. Flagstaff is the largest city in Northern Arizona and Phoenix is the biggest in all of Arizona. Phoenix is also the capital of Arizona and has over 700,000 people living in it.
Arizona is very popular for its many canyons, especially, the "mighty" Grand Canyon. Arizona has 9,560,000 acres of forested land. In that forested land, there is the petrified forests. This is an open land covered with fossil-like rocks of very old trees. Arizona also has 3 regions; the high, dry plateau region in the north and northeast, the mountain and valley region, and the plains section, including the flat, dry, desert floor. There are many rivers in Arizona. Some are: Gila River, Salt River, the Colorado River, and the Little Colorado River.
Another reason that Arizona is interesting is its facts. For an example; one interesting fact would be that the state fossil is petrified wood from the Petrified Forest. Or the state neckwear is the bola tie. Some other facts are; the state bird is the cactus wren, the state flower is the blossom of the Saguaro Cactus, the state tree is the Palo Verde, the state colors are old gold and red, the state mammal is the ringtail, the state amphibian is the Arizona tree frog, the state reptile is the ringnosed rattle snake, and the gemstone is turquoise.
Arizona's first people lived over 20,000 years ago. One early group, now called the basket makers, wove baskets. They often lived in caves. The Papago are called the Bean People. They are one of the oldest Indian tribes in Arizona. In fact, they have been there for 11,000 years! They ate the fruit of cactus plants.
In the early days of the Apache, the hunters traveled across the land. They were called nomads. At one time, they were the fiercest tribe in the Southwest. In times of peace, women ruled them. The Apache were closely related to the Navajo. The Navajo were farmers and hunters. They are greatly known for their beautifully woven rugs and silvercraft.
When the Spanish explorers came, they saw the Hopi living in Pueblos (houses). Hopi Indians made pottery and baskets. For many years, women ruled the Hopi. After the Spanish explorers came, the Spanish people came with soldiers and made the Indians work like slaves. The Indians fought back to drive the Spanish away, but they didn't succeed.
In 1846, the USA fought with Mexico and won. The US took most of Arizona from Mexico in 1848. In 1853, the US got the rest of Arizona. In 1863, Arizona became a territory. It had many goldmines. It was a land of cowboy towns, shootings, hangings, and Indian wars. A big gold rush took place in the middle of the 1800's.
During the 1890's, many people wanted Arizona to become a state. On February 14, 1912, Arizona became our 48th state.
In World War II, the Navajo helped the Americans win. The Americans used the Navajos' language as a code.
Arizona has many famous people like Jan Romeo Stevens who is an author of Carlos and the Cornfield, Carlos and the Squash Plant, and Carlos and the Skunk. George Kirk saved many Americans in World War II. He was a member of the U.S. Marine Corps. He was a Navajo code talker. Because the Navajo code talkers were accurate, reliable, and fast in sharing that message, they saved many Americans.
Arizona is popular for man things. There are many recreational places that people like to go to. There are many national forests like Coconino National Forest, Coronado National Forest, Kaibab National Forest, Prescott National Forest, and Tonto National Forest. People also like to hike, ski, swim, fish, and go river rafting. There is a national park, Grand Canyon National Park, and many, many people go there each year. It is a very big canyon with a beautiful view.
Many things are manufactured in Arizona. Many electronics and printing materials are manufactured in Arizona. Other important manufactured things include: foods, fabricated metals, aircraft, and missles.
Arizona raises a lot of animals. It raises 790,000 cattle alone, not to mention 150,000 hogs/pigs and 125,000 sheep. It also grows many things too, like cotton, lettuce, cauliflower, broccoli, sorghum, (used to make molasses), barley, corn, wheat, and citrus fruits. It also grows spruce, fur, and pine for lumber or timber.
Arizona has many natural resources both above and below ground. Below ground, there is silver, perlite, zinc, lead, gold, uranium, and most important, copper. Arizona provides 2/3 the amount of copper the United States makes. It leads all the states in mining copper. Above ground, there is water and sand.
If you are looking for a state of beautiful sights, different climates, and interesting history, Arizona is the state for you. Come and see Arizona. Trust me, you'll love it.
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