Official Name: Arizona

Name Meaning: Likely originated from an earlier Spanish name, Arizonac, derived from O'odham name alĭ ṣonak, meaning "small spring."

Nickname: The Grand Canyon State

Constitution Ratified: 1911

Statehood: February 14, 1912 (48th State)

Capital: Phoenix

Total Number of Counties: 15

Largest City: Phoenix

Largest County (by population): Maricopa

Population (as of 2018): 7.171 million

History: The state of Arizona was the last of the contiguous states to be admitted to the Union in 1912. What is now known as the state of Arizona was initially administered by the U.S. government as part of the Territory of New Mexico. On February 24, 1863, the Federal government declared a new U.S Arizona Territory, consisting of the western half of the earlier New Mexico Territory. The new boundaries would later form the basis of the state. Arizona is the 6th largest state by area and the 14th most populous of the 50 states. The state of Arizona is 310 miles in width and 400 miles in length.

Fast Facts:

• The Four Corners Monument in Teec Nos Pos, Arizona, is the only place where a person can stand in 4 states at the same time: Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, and Utah.
• There have been 685 recorded deaths to date at the Grand Canyon from both accidents and health-related issues. In the spring of 2019, three more victims have had fallen to their deaths.
• Oraibi, a Hopi village in Navajo County, is considered the oldest continuously inhabited settlement in the US. It is estimated to have been established 1000 years ago!
• Only 17% of Arizona land is privately owned. The remaining 83% is comprised of public forest and parks, state trust lands, and Native American reservations.
• Ernesto Miranda, the man responsible for the nationally-mandated “Miranda warning” given by police to criminal suspects advising them of their rights, was an Arizona criminal. His conviction was set aside by the US Supreme Court in Miranda v. Arizona.
• There are 22 federally recognized Native American nations in Arizona. After English and Spanish, Navajo is the most widely spoken language in the state.
• The bolo tie was designated Arizona’s official neckwear in 1973.
• Although known as an Arizona state senator and former presidential candidate, John McCain was born at Coco Solo Naval Air Station in the Panama Canal Zone – in 1936, that area was under U.S. control.