Arizona The United States of America "God enriches" (Ditat deus) James F. Kaserman Sarah J. Kaserman Phoenix I Save A Tree Electronic Books C 2003 I Save A Tree Inc. ISBN# 0-9714299-1-X
Table of Contents Location 5 History before statehood 7 History since statehood 9 State government 11 State flag 13 Current facts 15 Industry today 17 State landmarks 19 Weather and land 21 Animals in Arizona 23 State bird 25 State tree 27 State flower 29 Famous people from Arizona 31 Things to do in Arizona 33 Popular sports in Arizona 35 Fast facts 37 Glossary 39 Web sites / books for information 41 Index 43 Credits 45
Location Arizona is located in the southwestern area of the United States. It is bordered by the states of California, Nevada, Utah and New Mexico. The country of Mexico makes up the southern border of Arizona. The capital of Arizona is Phoenix, the name of a mythical bird. Phoenix is located in the south central part of the state. Phoenix 6
History Before Statehood Cattle Ranch Three different Indian tribes lived on the land that would become Arizona. They were the Anasazi, who later became the Pueblo Indians, the Hohokam and the Mongollen Indians. Spanish explorers arrived in the 1500s looking for gold. Wars and battles between Indians. and settlers lasted until 1886. Miners came, then farmers and cattle ranchers. Pueblo ruins 8
History Since Statehood Copper ore Arizona became the 48th state of the United States on February 14th, 1912. Many large projects, including dams and irrigation canals, were built to help the ranches and farms. Large mining companies were formed to mine the large reserves of copper. Manufacturing goods also became important. Some refer to Arizona as "The Grand Canyon State" or "The Copper State." Irrigation canal 10
Government Capitolbuilding The state government is divided intothreebranches. GovernorJanet Napolitano is head of the executive branch. Thisbranchisincharge of carrying out thelaws. The legislative branch is the General Assembly. Itmakes the laws. The General Assembly has two parts, the Senate and the HouseofRepresentatives. Thethird branchisthejudicialbranch. This branch interprets the laws. Arizonahas14counties. Eachhas its own local governments. Gov. Janet Napolitano 12
State Flag The state flag of Arizona is very colorful. The13raysof red and gold on the top half of the flag stand for the original 13 American colonies and the rays of the sunset. The other half of the flag has the same blue as the United States flag. Because Arizona is the largest producer of copper, a copper star was placed at the flag's center. The flag was adopted in 1917. 14
Current Facts Copper mine Lettuce field Over 5,130,632 people live in Arizona.. The state is ranked the 20th largest state for the number of people living in it. The state covers 113,642 square miles, making it the 6th largest state. Arizona is a big agricultural state. It grows lettuce and other produce used in salads in large quantities. Some call Arizona the "Salad Bowl of the Nation." Arizona leads the nation in producing copper, which is how it got the nickname "The Copper State." 16
Industry Today To complete a thriving agricultural industry, Arizona produces cotton, nursery stock, hay, cattle and dairy products. Copper mining, manufacture of electric and transportation equipment, publishing, food processing, electronics and tourism also contribute to business in the state. Bails of hay Electronics 18
Landmarks Grand Canyon Many scenic and historic places are preserved as part of our National Park System today. Arizona's natural wonders include the Grand Canyon, Havasu Canyon, Rainbow Bridge, Petrified Forest, Painted Desert, Monument Valley, Sunset Crater, Superstition Mountain and the Colorado River. Many Indian reservations and villages are also in Arizona. The famous London Bridge was moved from England to Arizona and rebuilt. Colorado River 20
Weather & Land Mountain rain Temperature and rainfall vary greatly in Arizona. In the mountains, temperatures may fall below zero. In the southern part of the state, the weather rarely gets cold. Mountains get up to 30 inches of rain per year, while deserts get as little as 2 inches. Some land in Arizona is good for growing crops when irrigated. The rest of the land is dry desert. Desert landscape 22
Animals Mountain lion In Arizona Scorpion Besides large numbers of mule deer and whitetail deer, Arizona has black bears, mountain sheep, elk and antelope. Bobcats, margays, mountain lions and ocelots live in the forested areas. Rattlesnakes and lizards, including the Gila monster, also live there. Scorpions and tarantulas are found in the desert. The state animal is the ringtail, a small fox-like animal. 24
State Bird Cactus wren The cactus wren (Campylorhynchus brunneicapillus) was named the state bird in 1931. The cactus wren is a member of the wren family. Compared to other wrens, it is large, growing to seven to eight inches in length. The cactus wren is a favorite of many bird watchers. This wren has a slender bill and rounded wings with a spotted breast. For protection, this bird likes to build nests in thorny plants like the saguaro cactus. Cactus wren 26
Palo verde State Tree Palo verde The palo verde (Cercidium microphyllum) was named the state tree of Arizona in 1954. It is a little thorny tree that is very hardy, growing in ditches and along the sides of desert canyons. The name "palo verde" means "green stick" and refers to the tree's green bark. The small leaves unfold in the spring and then fall off when fully grown. The tree produces seedpods. These were once an important food to Indians. 28
State Flower Saguaro cactus The blossom of the saguaro cactus (Carnegiea gigantea) was adopted as the the state flower in 1931. This white flower blooms during May and June. The fruit ripens in June or July and can be eaten. The saguaro cactus is the largest cactus plant in America. It can grow very tall and have as many as fifty arms. You can tell how old a saguaro cactus is by how tall it is and by how many arms it has. Saguaro cactus 30
Famous People Cesar Chavez The famous Apache Indian chiefs Geronimo and Cochise were born in Arizona. Other important Arizonans include: farm labor leader Cesar Chavez, former Secretary of the Interior Stuart Udall and politician Barry Goldwater. Actress Lynda Carter and singers Linda Ronstadt and Rex Allen are also from the Copper State. Geronimo 32
Things to Do Mountain climbing In Arizona Arizona is a beautiful state that attracts many tourists. The climate appeals to a large number of Americans. The state offers camping, hunting, fishing, hiking, mountain climbing and raft riding. Besides enjoying the natural wonders, visitors can play golf, tennis and other individual sports. Arizona also has many professional and college sporting events. Golf 34
Sports In Arizona NASCAR Arizona offers high school, college and professional sports. The Arizona State Sun Devils and Arizona Wildcats are among the best baseball teams in the nation. Professional NFL football, men's and women's NBA basketball and major league baseball teams are located in Arizona. NASCAR stock-car racing and other professional auto racing take place in Phoenix. Baseball 36
Grand Canyon Fast Facts Governor: Janet Napolitano Capital: Phoenix Size: 113,642 square miles, 6th in the U.S. Population: 5,130,632, 20th in the U.S. Major cities: Phoenix,Tucson, Mesa, Glendale, Scottsdale,Tempe, Gilbert, Flagstaff Nickname: "Grand Canyon State," "Copper State," "Salad Bowl State" State animal: ringtail State bird: cactus wren State flower: saguaro cactus blossom State tree: palo verde State song, "Arizona" State motto, "God enriches" (Ditat deus) Hawk 38
Glossary desert, a region so arid that it supports only sparse vegetation or none at all. contribute, to give to a common supply. copper, a metallic element that is one of the best conductors of heat and energy. hardy, able to withstand adverse conditions. irrigation, to supply land with water by artificial means, like canals or sprinklers. mythical, an imaginary person or thing. natural, determined by nature, not artificial. nursery, a place where young plants are grown. produce, agriculture products, fresh fruits and vegetables. saguaro, a desert cactus that has a main trunk and arm-like branches. 40
Links & Books For more information Link1 Link2 Link3 Link4 Title: The World Book Encyclopedia Publisher: World Book, Inc. Copyright: 2002 Title: The Kid's World Almanac of the United States Author: Dr.Thomas G. Aylesworth Publisher: World Almanac Copyright: 1990 Title: Exploring the 50 States Author: Marcie Anderson Publisher: Willowisp Press, Inc. Copyright: 1983 Visit our website @ www.isaveatree.com 42
Index agricultural, 15, 17 cactus, saguaro, 26, 29, 30 copper, 10, 14, 16, 17, 32 desert, 22, 24, 27 Geronimo, 31 gold, 8, 13 Grand Canyon, 10, 19 Napolitano, Janet, 11 London Bridge, 20 Mexico, 5 mining, 10, 17 monster, Gila, 24 palo verde, 27 ringtail, 24 tourism, 18 wren, cactus, 25, 26 44
Credits Written by James F. Kaserman Sarah J. Kaserman Edited by Linda Coyner Produced by Robert Rance Technologies Doug Meyers Design Dan Mader Photo credits Arizona Department of Natural Resources www.arttoday.com I Save A Tree Inc. reserves the right to remove or exchange any photo/illustration at any time without notice. 46