History UsefulNotes / Arizona

* EverythingTryingToKillYou: A lot of the wildlife can be dangerous. There are the larger predators like mountain lions, coyotes, and wildcats, while smaller things like rattlesnakes, [[ScaryScorpion scorpions]] and Gila Monsters lurk in the shadows.

* StockDesertInsterstate: The highways will be a perfect example of this.

First, let's start off by explaining the significance of this state. Arizona, given its stereotypical desert image, may not for some be very fascinating like the neighboring state of UsefulNotes/{{California}}. But Arizona is not a place with nothing at all. Its capital, Phoenix, is already the fifth largest city in the United States, and it's the biggest capital overall.[[note]]For folks not from America, it's sort of an American tradition for the state capital to be a dinky small-to-mid-sized city that nobody's ever heard of. Of 50 states, only 14 have capitals that are also the largest city--and of those, there are only eight (Phoenix, Arizona; UsefulNotes/{{Boston}}, Massachusetts; UsefulNotes/{{Atlanta}}, Georgia; UsefulNotes/{{Denver}}, Colorado; UsefulNotes/{{Indianapolis}}, Indiana; Oklahoma City, [[UsefulNotes/{{Oklahoma}} Oklahoma]]; Salt Lake City, UsefulNotes/{{Utah}}; and Honolulu, UsefulNotes/{{Hawaii}}) that anyone out-of-state has really heard of.[[/note]] The mining industry fuels commercial growth throughout the state, where the predominant mineral extracted is copper, earning the state the nickname "the Copper state". Although as copper has declined, the real economic powerhouse has increasingly become real estate. Arizona is also known as a major state for retirees to move to so they can avoid winters in the Midwest or Northeast of the United States and much of Arizona's tourism industry caters to them.

* '''Phoenix:''' The capital and principal city of the state. The home court of the [[UsefulNotes/NationalBasketballAssociation NBA]] Phoenix Suns (Talking Stick Resort Arena) and the home field of the [[UsefulNotes/MajorLeagueBaseball MLB]] Arizona Diamondbacks (Chase Field[[note]]Although many locals still call it "Bob" after Bank One Ballpark, its original name[[/note]]) are both located downtown. The Sky Harbor International Airport is east-southeast of downtown.

* '''Tempe:''' Home of Arizona State University's primary campus, as well as US Airways and the aforementioned university's Sun Devils sports teams.[[note]]Its football stadium, Sun Devil Stadium, also hosted the Arizona Cardinals for 18 seasons before they built their own in Glendale. It also hosted the Super Bowl in 1996, and Pope John Paul II held mass there in 1987, though he asked that all devil references be obscured before he entered the building, meaning it was "Sun Stadium" for a day.[[/note]] Birthplace of the nationwide ice cream chain Cold Stone Creamery. Acknowledged as one of the central axes of the Valley's music scene, and politically the farthest-left of any city in the Phoenix area.

* '''Tempe:''' Home of Arizona State University's primary campus, as well as US Airways and the aforementioned university's Sun Devils sports teams.[[note]]Its football stadium, Sun Devil Stadium, also hosted the Arizona Cardinals for 18 seasons before they built their own in Glendale. It also hosted the Super Bowl in 1996, and Pope John Paul II held mass there in 1987, though he asked that all devil references be obscured before he entered the building, meaning it was "Sun Stadium" that day.[[/note]] Birthplace of the nationwide ice cream chain Cold Stone Creamery. Acknowledged as one of the central axes of the Valley's music scene, and politically the farthest-left of any city in the Phoenix area.

* '''Tempe:''' Home of Arizona State University's primary campus, as well as US Airways and the aforementioned university's Sun Devils sports teams.[[note]]Its football stadium, Sun Devil Stadium, also hosted the Arizona Cardinals for 18 seasons before they built their own in Glendale. It also hosted the Super Bowl in 1996, and Pope John Paul II held mass there in 1987, though he would not enter the building until all devil references were obscured, meaning it was "Sun Stadium" that day.[[/note]] Birthplace of the nationwide ice cream chain Cold Stone Creamery. Acknowledged as one of the central axes of the Valley's music scene, and politically the farthest-left of any city in the Phoenix area.

* '''Tempe:''' Home of Arizona State University's primary campus, as well as US Airways and the aforementioned university's Sun Devils sports teams. Birthplace of the nationwide ice cream chain Cold Stone Creamery. Acknowledged as one of the central axes of the Valley's music scene, and politically the farthest-left of any city in the Phoenix area.

->'''Bobby:''' 111 degrees?! Phoenix really can't be that hot, can it? Oh my God, it's like standing on the sun!

Arizona, the 48th and last state admitted in the contiguous United States, celebrated its centennial in 2012. It's best known for having the Grand Canyon, the Saguaro cactus and the Sonoran desert, and plenty of other noteworthy attractions. And for being really hot. Really, really, ''really'' hot. The Grand Canyon state offers unique interesting subjects seen nowhere else in the United States or the rest of the Earth.

First, let's start off by explaining the significance of this state. Arizona, given its stereotypical desert image, may not for some be very fascinating like the neighboring state of California. But Arizona is not a place with nothing at all. Its capital, Phoenix, is already the fifth largest city in the United States, and it's the biggest capital overall.[[note]]For folks not from America, it's sort of an American tradition for the state capital to be a dinky small-to-mid-sized city that nobody's ever heard of. Of 50 states, only 14 have capitals that are also the largest city--and of those, there are only eight (Phoenix, Arizona; UsefulNotes/{{Boston}}, Massachusetts; UsefulNotes/{{Atlanta}}, Georgia; UsefulNotes/{{Denver}}, Colorado; UsefulNotes/{{Indianapolis}}, Indiana; Oklahoma City, [[UsefulNotes/{{Oklahoma}} Oklahoma]]; Salt Lake City, UsefulNotes/{{Utah}}; and Honolulu, UsefulNotes/{{Hawaii}}) that anyone out-of-state has really heard of.[[/note]] The mining industry fuels commercial growth throughout the state, where the predominant mineral extracted is copper, earning the state the nickname "the Copper state". Although as copper has declined, the real economic powerhouse has increasingly become real estate. Arizona is also known as a major state for retirees to move to so they can avoid winters in the Midwest or Northeast of the United States and much of Arizona's tourism industry caters to them.

* Music/{{Megadeth}}

First, let's start off by explaining the significance of this state. Arizona, given its stereotypical desert image, may not for some be very fascinating like the neighboring state of California. But Arizona is not a place with nothing at all. Its capital, Phoenix, is already the fifth largest city in the United States, and it's the biggest capital overall.[[note]]For folks not from America, it's sort of an American tradition for the state capital to be a dinky small-to-mid-sized city that nobody's ever heard of. Of 50 states, only 14 have capitals that are also the largest city--and of those, there are only seven (Phoenix, Arizona; UsefulNotes/{{Boston}}, Massachusetts; UsefulNotes/{{Atlanta}}, Georgia; UsefulNotes/{{Denver}}, Colorado; UsefulNotes/{{Indianapolis}}, Indiana; Salt Lake City, UsefulNotes/{{Utah}}; and Honolulu, UsefulNotes/{{Hawaii}}) that anyone out-of-state has really heard of.[[/note]] The mining industry fuels commercial growth throughout the state, where the predominant mineral extracted is copper, earning the state the nickname "the Copper state". Although as copper has declined, the real economic powerhouse has increasingly become real estate. Arizona is also known as a major state for retirees to move to so they can avoid winters in the Midwest or Northeast of the United States and much of Arizona's tourism industry caters to them.

First, let's start off by explaining the significance of this state. Arizona, given its stereotypical desert image, may not for some be very fascinating like the neighboring state of California. But Arizona is not a place with nothing at all. Its capital, Phoenix, is already the fifth largest city in the United States, and it's the biggest capital overall.[[note]]For folks not from America, it's sort of an American tradition for the state capital to be a dinky small-to-mid-sized city that nobody's ever heard of. Of 50 states, only 14 have capitals that are also the largest city--and of those, there are only six (Phoenix, Arizona; UsefulNotes/{{Boston}}, Massachusetts; UsefulNotes/{{Atlanta}}, Georgia; UsefulNotes/{{Denver}}, Colorado; Salt Lake City, UsefulNotes/{{Utah}}; and Honolulu, UsefulNotes/{{Hawaii}}) that anyone out-of-state has really heard of.[[/note]] The mining industry fuels commercial growth throughout the state, where the predominant mineral extracted is copper, earning the state the nickname "the Copper state". Although as copper has declined, the real economic powerhouse has increasingly become real estate. Arizona is also known as a major state for retirees to move to so they can avoid winters in the Midwest or Northeast of the United States and much of Arizona's tourism industry caters to them.

* '''Flagstaff:''' Largest city in northern Arizona. Best known as one of the cities in the country with the most days of sunshine, despite not being in a desert. Also known as one of the country's snowiest cities, thanks mainly to its elevation of over 6,900 feet (2,100 m), lifting it above the desert climate that prevails in the region. The location of Northern Arizona University. Route 66 crosses the city. For some reason it doesn't have the state hockey team. Does have the historic and classic Hollywood favorite Hotel Monte Vista.

* '''Phoenix:''' The capital and principal city of the state. The home court of the [[UsefulNotes/NationalBasketballAssociation NBA]] Phoenix Suns (US Airways Center) and the home field of the [[UsefulNotes/MajorLeagueBaseball MLB]] Arizona Diamondbacks (Chase Field[[note]]Although many locals still call it "Bob" after Bank One Ballpark, its original name[[/note]]) are both located downtown. The Sky Harbor International Airport is east-southeast of downtown.
* '''Avondale:''' Location of the Phoenix International Raceway, despite not directly located on Phoenix.

* '''Glendale:''' The city that's currently home to the [[UsefulNotes/NationalFootballLeague NFL]] Cardinals and [[UsefulNotes/NationalHockeyLeague NHL]] Coyotes. The Cardinals' stadium hosted the 2015 UsefulNotes/SuperBowl and 2016 [[UsefulNotes/CollegiateAmericanFootball College Football Playoff National Championship]]. Don't ask why a desert city has a hockey team.

* '''Yuma:''' A small city along the Colorado River near the state's southwest corner. Mostly sunny all year as well. There is an agriculture industry that produces winter vegetables for the U.S., but it couldn't resist the city from one of the highest rates of metro unemployment in the country, unfortunately.

* '''Tucson:''' Largest city in southern Arizona and the oldest incorporated city in the state, which is 100 miles southeast of Phoenix. Home to the University of Arizona's campus. It has a aircraft boneyard in the Davis–Monthan Air Force Base, and many companies that develops optics here. A bit more left in politics than the Phoenix area.

* '''Snowflake:''' One of the few remaining towns that has a logging business in the state. The town's papermill shut down in 2012, causing a potential economic decline in the town and its railroad, the Apache Railway.

* UsefulNotes/MuhammadAli

* '''Glendale:''' The city that's currently home to the [[UsefulNotes/NationalFootballLeague NFL]] Cardinals and [[UsefulNotes/NationalHockeyLeague NHL]] Coyotes. The Cardinals' stadium hosted the 2015 SuperBowl and 2016 [[UsefulNotes/CollegiateAmericanFootball College Football Playoff National Championship]]. Don't ask why a desert city has a hockey team.

* Creator/MareWinningham

Arizona, the 48th and last state admitted in the contiguous United States, celebrated its centennial in 2012. It's best known for having the Grand Canyon, the Saguaro cactus and the Sonoran desert, and plenty of other noteworthy attractions. And for being really hot. Really, really, really hot. The Grand Canyon state offers unique interesting subjects seen nowhere else in the United States or the rest of the Earth.

* '''Gilbert:''' Largest incorporated ''town'' by population in the United States.

Also of note, the state of Arizona has had one ship of the United States Navy named in its honor, the battleship USS ''Arizona'' ([=BB-39=]). If you've ever seen footage of the [[UsefulNotes/WorldWarII Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor]], you have [[StockFootage likely seen footage]] of the ''Arizona's'' forward magazine exploding, resulting in the loss of the ship and 1,177 of her crew.

* '''Flagstaff:''' Largest city in northern Arizona. Best known as one of the cities in the country with the most days of sunshine, despite not being in a desert. Also known as one of the country's snowiest cities, thanks mainly to its elevation of over 6,900 feet (2,100 m), lifting it above the desert climate that prevails in the region. The location of Northern Arizona University. Route 66 crosses the city. For some reason it doesn't have the state hockey team.

* '''Mesa:''' Founded by [[UsefulNotes/{{Mormonism}} Latter-Day Saints]] in the 19th century, this city contains most of the Valley's LDS population, including a Mormon temple (renowned for its Christmas-season display of lights). It's famous for serving the spring training base of the Chicago Cubs.

* '''Scottsdale:''' An affluent city located northeast of Phoenix filled with nightlife amenities. It's the Arizona version of Beverly Hills and South Beach.

There's a reason this area of the state is called the Valley of the Sun: It experiences most of the high temperatures in the state, particularly during summer (the highest temperature ever recorded in Phoenix was something like ''128º Fahrenheit''). Contrary to time-worn assertions of out-of-state retirees who come to avoid harsh winters that "at least it's a ''dry'' heat", Phoenix and its surrounding cities usually experience a few weeks of humidity during the annual monsoon season.

* '''Phoenix:''' The capital and principal city of the state. The Sky Harbor International Airport is east-southeast of downtown.

First, let's start off by explaining the significance of this state. Arizona, given its stereotypical desert image, may not for some be very fascinating like the neighboring state of California. But Arizona is not a place with nothing at all. Its capital, Phoenix, is already among the largest cities in the United States, and it's the biggest capital overall.[[note]]For folks not from America, it's sort of an American tradition for the state capital to be a dinky small-to-mid-sized city that nobody's ever heard of. Of 50 states, only 14 have capitals that are also the largest city--and of those, there are only six (Phoenix, Arizona; UsefulNotes/{{Boston}}, Massachusetts; UsefulNotes/{{Atlanta}}, Georgia; UsefulNotes/{{Denver}}, Colorado; Salt Lake City, UsefulNotes/{{Utah}}; and Honolulu, UsefulNotes/{{Hawaii}}) that anyone out-of-state has really heard of.[[/note]] The mining industry fuels commercial growth throughout the state, where the predominant mineral extracted is copper, earning the state the nickname "the Copper state". Although as copper has declined, the real economic powerhouse has increasingly become real estate. Arizona is also known as a major state for retirees to move to so they can avoid winters in the Midwest or Northeast of the United States and much of Arizona's tourism industry caters to them.

First, let's start off by explaining the significance of this state. Arizona doesn't have the same rate of entertainment born from there like the neighboring state of California. In other words, Arizona is not a place with nothing at all. Its capital, Phoenix, is already among the largest cities in the United States, and it's the biggest capital overall.[[note]]For folks not from America, it's sort of an American tradition for the state capital to be a dinky small-to-mid-sized city that nobody's ever heard of. Of 50 states, only 14 have capitals that are also the largest city--and of those, there are only six (Phoenix, Arizona; UsefulNotes/{{Boston}}, Massachusetts; UsefulNotes/{{Atlanta}}, Georgia; UsefulNotes/{{Denver}}, Colorado; Salt Lake City, UsefulNotes/{{Utah}}; and Honolulu, UsefulNotes/{{Hawaii}}) that anyone out-of-state has really heard of.[[/note]] The mining industry fuels commercial growth throughout the state, where the predominant mineral extracted is copper, earning the state the nickname "the Copper state". Although as copper has declined, the real economic powerhouse has increasingly become real estate. Arizona is also known as a major state for retirees to move to so they can avoid winters in the Midwest or Northeast of the United States and much of Arizona's tourism industry caters to them.

* '''Kingman:''' County seat of Mohave County, which is the county in the northwestern section of Arizona. Also has Route 66.

* '''Winslow:''' Another one of the Route 66 towns, it has a railroad station hotel and fame from Music/TheEagles' song "Take it Easy". Gateway to Meteor Crater, its most famous attraction.

* '''Camp Verde:''' Has the largest Kokopelli (Native American fertility deity) statue. Mentioned in {{Film/Paul}}.

* '''Prescott:''' Former capital of Arizona, this city's downtown is very historical, some buildings dating from the 19th century. Creator/AlanDeanFoster lives here. The locals call it [[ItIsPronouncedTroPAY "Press-kitt."]]

* '''Phoenix:''' The capital and principal city of the state.

* '''Maricopa:''' The southernmost city in the area, over ten miles away from the "body" of the metro area. Sometimes known for having the only UsefulNotes/{{Amtrak}} station in the area.

* '''Bullhead City:''' Located on the Colorado River, this small city hosts the annual River Regatta event, and is across the river from the casino strip of Laughlin, Nevada.
* '''Lake Havasu City:''' City in western Arizona on the Colorado River. Best known for the London Bridge, which gave it a special relationship to London in the UnitedKingdom.
* '''Parker:''' A town on the Colorado River. Home of one of the deepest dams in the world, which is front of Lake Havasu. No one is sure to pick who is the namesake of the town, since there's either Ely Parker, first Native American commisioner for the nation's government, or Earl Parker, a railroad surveyor and engineer. Appeared in ''Film/FastFive''.

* '''Quartzsite:''' A town notable for having a huge number of winter residents between November and Spring in every year. These residents are usually from the northern states or Canada. This period is when Quartzsite hosts flea markets and gem shows from its winter residents.

* '''Yuma:''' A small city along the Colorado River near the state's southwest corner. Mostly sunny all year as well. There is an agriculture industry, but it couldn't resist the city from one of the highest rates of unemployment in the country, unfortunately.

* '''Snowflake:''' One of the few remaining towns that has a logging business in the state. The town's papermill shut down in 2012, causing a potential economic decline in the town and it's railroad, the Apache Railway.
* '''Safford:''' A primary setting for the film ''Film/LostInAmerica''.

Arizona, the 48th and last state admitted in the contiguous United States, celebrated its centennial in 2012. It's best known for having the Grand Canyon, the Saguaro cactus and the Sonoran desert, and plenty of other noteworthy attractions. And for being really hot. The Grand Canyon state offers unique interesting subjects seen nowhere else in the United States or the rest of the Earth.

First, let's start off by explaining the significance of this state. Arizona doesn't have the same rate of entertainment born from there like the neighboring state of California. In other words, Arizona is not a place with nothing at all. Its capital, Phoenix, is already among the largest cities in the United States, and it's the biggest capital overall.[[note]]For folks not from America, it's sort of an American tradition for the state capital to be a dinky small-to-mid-sized city that nobody's ever heard of. Of 50 states, only 14 have capitals that are also the largest city--and of those, there are only six (Phoenix, Arizona; UsefulNotes/{{Boston}}, Massachusetts; UsefulNotes/{{Atlanta}}, Georgia; UsefulNotes/{{Denver}}, Colorado; Salt Lake City, UsefulNotes/{{Utah}}; and Honolulu, UsefulNotes/{{Hawaii}}) that anyone out-of-state has really heard of.[[/note]] The mining industry fuels commercial growth throughout the state, where the predominant mineral extracted is copper, earning the state the nickname "the Copper state".

* '''Flagstaff:''' Largest city in northern Arizona. Best known as one of the cities in the country with the most days of sunshine, despite not being in a desert. Also known as one of the country's snowiest cities, thanks mainly to its elevation of over 6,900 feet (2,100 m), lifting it above the desert climate that prevails in the region. Route 66 crosses the city.

There's a reason this area of the state is called the Valley of the Sun: It experiences most of the high temperatures in the state, particularly during summer (the highest temperature ever recorded in Phoenix was something like ''128º Fahrenheit''). Contrary to locals' time-worn assertions that "at least it's a ''dry'' heat", Phoenix and its surrounding cities usually experience a few weeks of humidity during the annual monsoon season.

* '''Glendale:''' The city that's currently home to the [[UsefulNotes/NationalFootballLeague NFL]] Cardinals and [[UsefulNotes/NationalHockeyLeague NHL]] Coyotes. The Cardinals' stadium hosted the 2015 SuperBowl and 2016 [[UsefulNotes/CollegiateAmericanFootball College Football Playoff National Championship]].
* '''Goodyear:''' Named from the Goodyear company (yes, that tire company), where they established cotton farms for their tires.

Arizona, the 48th and last state admitted in the continental United States, celebrated its centennial in 2012. It's best known for having the Grand Canyon, the Saguaro cactus and the Sonoran desert, and plenty of other noteworthy attractions. And for being really hot. The Grand Canyon state offers unique interesting subjects seen nowhere else in the United States or the rest of the Earth.

* '''Buckeye:''' Westernmost city in the Phoenix metropolitan area, which currently sees the fastest growth rates in the area. Upton Sinclair of ''TheJungle'' fame lived here in one of his last years.

There's a reason this area of the state is called the Valley of the Sun: It experiences most of the high temperatures in the state, particularly during summer (the highest temperature ever recorded in Phoenix was something like ''128º Fahrenheit''. Contrary to locals' time-worn assertions that "at least it's a ''dry'' heat", Phoenix and its surrounding cities usually experience a few weeks of humidity during the annual monsoon season.

* '''Flagstaff:''' Largest city in northern Arizona. Best known as one of the cities in the country with the most days of sunshine, despite not being in a desert. Route 66 crosses the city.

* '''Window Rock:''' The capital of the Navajo Nation, the largest territory controlled by a [[UsefulNotes/NativeAmericans Native American]] tribe.