Arizona is famous for the Grand Canyon, Sonoran Desert saguaro cacti, the historic Native American territories of the Navajo Nation, and Sedona's red-rock landscape.
Geography & climate
Arizona lies in the West of the United States, set at approximately 34.5°N, 111.5°W and falling within a warm temperate climate band. The state covers around 295,234 km² of land, with topography that runs from coastal lowlands and river basins to interior plains and (where present) mountain ranges. Local weather, growing seasons and outdoor recreation in Arizona all flow from this geographic profile.
Capital, principal city & population
The capital of Arizona is Phoenix, where the legislature, governor’s office and state supreme court are based. The largest city by population is Phoenix, often the economic and cultural anchor of the state. Total population sits at around 7.5M, distributed across metropolitan areas, smaller cities, and rural counties — each with its own dialect, demographics and economic character.
Statehood & history
Arizona was admitted to the Union in 1912 as the 48th state. The path to admission typically passed through territorial status, an enabling act of Congress and the drafting of a state constitution. Each generation since has added its layer to the state’s political and cultural identity — from frontier settlement and industrial expansion to the civic and demographic shifts of the modern era.
Symbols & emblems
Arizona is nicknamed “The Grand Canyon State”, with the state motto Ditat Deus (God enriches). The state seal, flag and coat of arms each carry historic meaning, often referencing founding settlers, native communities, agricultural roots or pivotal episodes of state history. State legislatures have additionally adopted official symbols — a state bird, flower, tree, song, fossil and more — chosen by lawmakers (and sometimes by schoolchildren) to celebrate distinctive elements of the state’s natural and cultural heritage.
Economy & industry
The economy of Arizona is shaped by its geography, infrastructure and population centres. Major sectors typically span agriculture, manufacturing, energy or natural resources, services, tourism and (in metropolitan corridors) finance and technology. Federal facilities, military bases and research institutions can also be substantial regional employers in Arizona.
Travel, food & culture
For visitors, Arizona offers a mix of urban culture (museums, music venues, sports teams, cuisine) and outdoor experience (state parks, trails, coastline or mountains, depending on the geography). Regional foodways, festivals and dialects make travel between counties feel meaningfully different — even short drives across Arizona can shift the cultural landscape noticeably.
By the numbers
Sort or filter the table to find the values you need at a glance.
| Field | Value | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Abbreviation | AZ | two-letter postal code |
| Capital | Phoenix | — |
| Largest city | Phoenix | — |
| US region | West | — |
| Population | 7.5M | people |
| Area | 295,234 | km² |
| Statehood | 1912 | year admitted |
| Admission order | 48 | order joining the Union |
| Nickname | The Grand Canyon State | — |
| Motto | Ditat Deus (God enriches) | — |
| Latitude | 34.5 | degrees |
| Longitude | -111.5 | degrees |
Did you know?
Arizona's Grand Canyon is up to 1.8 km deep, 29 km wide, and 446 km long — visible from space and over 1.7 billion years old at its base.
