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Arizona was admitted into the Union on February 14, 1912 and was the 48th state to do so.  Covering about 113,314 square miles, Arizona has about 5.75 million residents.  The major bodies of water are the Colorado and Gila Rivers.  Known for its beautiful deserts, one of a kind wildlife, rugged terrain, and the Grand Canyon, the state of Arizona has much to offer residents and tourists alike.  The Navajo Indians are one of the more well known Native American tribes living in Arizona, but they are just one of dozens.

Arizona was a major player in the "Old West" and allowed a relatively easy escape route for bandits and train robbers by way of the Mexican border.  In 1901 a new sheriff was in town (so to speak!) called the Arizona Rangers.  They were given power to chase the bandits across the border into Mexico and bring them to justice.

One of the better known old west towns was Tombstone, where Wyatt Earp went to "retire" from his lawman gig in the crazy town of Dodge City.  Tombstone is famous for the gunfight at the OK Corral in which the Earp brothers took part, along with other famous westerners.

The Grand Canyon is located in the northwest part of the state and runs along the winding Colorado River. The lovely Painted Desert is home to the Petrified Forest National Wilderness Area and spans 146 miles of badlands. Arizona is also home to Gila monsters (the only poisonous lizard in the United States) and rattlesnakes.  The desert is a harsh place that attracts senior citizens and young people alike!

A brief history of Arizona. Drag the time line to see more events and click on the titles to see a description.

Download the State of Arizona Reference Map

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