ARIZONA

Grand Canyon State

Origin of state's name: Spanish interpretation of "arizuma," anAztec Indian word meaning "silver-bearing." Also based on Pima Indian word "arizonac" for "little spring place."

The 13 rays of red and gold on the top half of the flag represent both the 13 original colonies of the Union, and the rays of the Western setting sun. Red and gold were also the colors carried by Coronado's Spanish expedition in search of the Seven Cities of Cibola in 1540. The bottom half of the flag has the same Liberty blue as the United States flag. Since Arizona was the largest producer of copper in the nation, a copper star was placed in the flag's center.

Entered Union: February 14, 1912; 48th state
Capital: Phoenix
Motto: Ditat Deus (God enriches)
Flower: Blossom of the Saguaro cactus
Bird: Cactus wren
Tree: Paloverde
Song: Arizona

A LITTLE HISTORY
Marcos de Niza, a Franciscan, and Estevan, a black slave, explored the area in 1539. Eusebio Francisco Kino, Jesuit missionary, taught Indians Christianity and farming, 1690-1711, and left a chain of missions. Spain ceded Arizona to Mexico in 1821. The U.S. took over at the end of the Mexican War in 1848. The area below the Gila River was obtained from Mexico in the Gadsden Purchase in 1854. Long Apache wars did not end until 1886, with Geronimo's surrender.

FACTS AND TRIVIA ABOUT ARIZONA
Arizona has the largest Native American population of any state. More than 14 tribes are represented on 20 reservations, including part of the Navajo Nation, which is located in the Four Corners region of Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, and Utah.

Arizona is full of beautiful natural attractions like the Grand Canyon and the Petrified Forest. But did you know that Arizona's tourist attractions also include the old London Bridge, brought over from London and reconstructed in Lake Havasu City? (They built another one in London, of course!)

When you travel on the Grand Canyon Railway, you can experience a staged train robbery in true Old West style!

Arizona is the only U.S state with a cactus as its state flower.

The O.K. Corral and Boot Hill are located in Tombstone, Arizona.

The Grand Canyon was not seen by a white man until after the Civil War. It was first entered on May 29,1869, by the geologist John Wesley Powell.

Arizona has the largest Native American population of any state. More than 14 tribes are represented on 20 reservations, including part of the Navajo Nation, which is located in the Four Corners region of Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, and Utah.

Monument Valley, with its stunning sandstone formations, has long been a favorite place of movie directors. Many popular Western movies were filmed there.

When you travel on the Grand Canyon Railway, you can experience a staged train robbery in true Old West style!

Arizona requires it's citizens to register with the state before going into the business of selling cocaine, marijuana, heroin or other illegal drugs.

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