Arizona
Grand Canyon State · Capital: Phoenix · West (Southwest)
Show simplified tile view
Quick stats
Bordering states: California, Nevada, Utah, Colorado, New Mexico.
About Arizona
Arizona sits in the Southwest, bordering California, Nevada, Utah, Colorado and New Mexico, and meets three of them at Four Corners. The Colorado Plateau covers the northeast, Basin and Range desert the southwest, and the Mogollon Rim marks the Transition Zone between them. Elevation runs from about 70 feet on the Colorado River near Yuma to 12,637 feet on Humphreys Peak. The river carved the Grand Canyon, 277 river miles long and about a mile deep. Flagstaff gets roughly 100 inches of snow a year, while Phoenix almost never sees any. Every large lake in the state is a reservoir, and Arizona has not observed daylight saving time since 1968, except on the Navajo Nation.
The Hohokam dug hundreds of miles of irrigation canals between about 450 and 1450, and the Hopi village of Old Oraibi has been lived in since about 1100. Coronado's expedition passed through in 1540, and the presidio of Tucson dates from 1775. The United States took the land north of the Gila River in 1848 and the south through the Gadsden Purchase of 1853. Congress created Arizona Territory in 1863, and Geronimo surrendered in 1886. Copper mining and the Roosevelt Dam of 1911 built the economy, and Arizona became the 48th state on February 14, 1912, the last of the contiguous states.
The 2020 census counted 7,151,502 Arizonans, up 11.9% from 2010, which gives the state nine House seats. Phoenix is the capital and largest city, its growth fed by Colorado River water, air conditioning and the electronics plants that followed Motorola in 1949. The copper star on the flag marks Arizona as the country's leading copper producer. The Navajo Nation, about 27,000 square miles, is the largest reservation in the country. Notable Arizonans include Supreme Court justice Sandra Day O'Connor and Cesar Chavez, born near Yuma.
4 fun facts about Arizona
- The Grand Canyon is up to about 6,000 feet deep, roughly four Empire State Buildings stacked on top of each other.
- Arizona does not observe Daylight Saving Time (except on the Navajo Nation in the northeast).
- Phoenix is the 5th most populous city in the US, and the only state capital with over 1.5 million residents.
- The state flag features a copper star representing Arizona being the largest copper producer in the US.
More about Arizona
Frequently asked questions about Arizona
Is Arizona a US state?
Yes, Arizona is one of the 50 US states. It was admitted to the Union in 1912, making it the 48th state. Its capital is Phoenix and its largest city is Phoenix.
What is the capital of Arizona?
The capital of Arizona is Phoenix.
When did Arizona become a state?
Arizona became a US state in 1912. It is the 48th state admitted to the Union.
What is the abbreviation for Arizona?
The 2-letter USPS abbreviation for Arizona is AZ.
How big is Arizona?
Arizona ranks #6 of 50 US states by area. With 62.9 residents per square mile in 2020, it was the 33rd most densely populated state.
What is the population of Arizona?
Arizona had 7,151,502 residents at the 2020 census, the 14th largest population of the 50 states, up 11.9% since 2010. That count gives it 9 seats in the US House of Representatives.
What region is Arizona in?
Arizona is in the West region of the United States, per the US Census Bureau.
What time zone is Arizona in?
Arizona observes Mountain Time all year; apart from the Navajo Nation, it does not use daylight saving time.
Learn more
How to learn the 50 states (full guide)
Last updated: