Arizona is a state located in the US Southwest area. Along with Utah to the north, Colorado to the northeast, and New Mexico to the east, Arizona forms the Four Corners region. Nevada to the northwest, California to the west, and the Mexican states of Sonora and Baja California to the south and southwest are its other neighbors.
Out of the 50 states, it is the sixth largest and the 14th most populous. Phoenix is the nation’s capital and largest city. Arizona became a state on February 14, 1912, making it the 48th and last of the contiguous states to be admitted to the Union. Formerly a part of New Spain’s Alta California region, it joined independent Mexico in 1821. Mexico gave over much of this land to the United States in 1848 after losing the Mexican–American War, and the region is now a part of New Mexico.
The Gadsden Purchase was completed in 1853, acquiring the southernmost part of the state. The climate in southern Arizona is renowned for being desert-like, with scorching summers and moderate winters.The northern part of Arizona is home to enormous, deep canyons, the Colorado Plateau, mountain ranges including the San Francisco Mountains, forests of pine, Douglas fir, and spruce trees, as well as significantly more mild summer temperatures and winter snowfall.
The regions of Flagstaff, Sunrise, and Tucson are home to ski resorts. There are other national forests, parks, and monuments in addition to the well-known Grand Canyon National Park, one of the seven natural wonders of the world. Due to inward migration, Arizona’s population and economy have expanded significantly since the 1950s, making the state a major Sun Belt hub today. Large, expansive suburban areas have sprung up around cities like Phoenix and Tucson.
Arizona is home to several significant colleges, including Arizona State University and the University of Arizona, as well as other notable corporations, such Circle K and PetSmart, with their headquarters located there. The state has a reputation for producing conservative politicians like John McCain and Barry Goldwater, but since the 1990s, it has shifted toward becoming a swing state.
There is a wide range of population in Arizona. The Navajo Nation, the largest in the state and the country with over 300,000 citizens, is one of 27 federally recognized Native American tribes that call Indian reservations, which make up about 25% of the state, home.
Due to migration from Mexico, the state’s Hispanic population has increased dramatically since the 1980s. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and the Roman Catholic Church each have a sizeable part of the populace as members.