Destinations > Arizona Destinations
Welcome to Arizona — The Grand Canyon State
Arizona is a state carved by water and time. A paradox. One that is home to the ruins of an age-old culture; one rich in vegetation and wildlife despite its barren appearance. The Colorado Plateau in the northern part of the state is flat and sparsely vegetated and home to deep canyons, ruins left by the cliff-dwelling Anasazi people, and the lands of the Navajo Nation. Hopi Indian villages on the southern edge of Black Mesa hold what is believed to be the oldest continuously occupied territory in the U.S. Millions of visitors flock annually to the Grand Canyon, with its inner gorge considered to be some of the oldest exposed rock on earth. More than 200 miles to the south lies a green swath of rugged peaks and narrow valleys, an oasis in central Arizona. Further south lies the desert, where cities such as Tucson and Phoenix live within the brilliantly colored landscape.
Capital: Phoenix
Largest City: Phoenix
Area: 113,998 square miles
Major Rivers: Colorado, Gila, Little Colorado
Elevation: 70 ft at Yuma to 12,633 at Humphrey’s Peak
Bird: Cactus wren
Flower: Saguaro cactus blossom
Tree: Yellow Palo Verde
Motto: Ditat Deus (God Enriches)
Song: “Arizona: The March”
Nickname: “The Grand Canyon State
State Travel Guide: Visit Arizona.com