Arizona is the 48th state and last of the contiguous states to be, "admitted to the Union," achieving statehood on February 14, 1912. Historically part of the territory of Alta California and Nuevo México in New Spain, it became part of independent Mexico in 1821. After being defeated in the Mexican–American War, Mexico ceded much of this territory to the United States in 1848, where the area became part of the territory of New Mexico. The southernmost portion of the state was acquired in 1853 through the Gadsden Purchase.
Averaging about 5,400 feet (1,600 m) in elevation, the park has a dry windy climate with temperatures that vary from summer highs of about 100 °F (38 °C) to winter lows well below freezing. More than 400 species of plants, dominated by grasses such as bunchgrass, blue grama, and sacaton, are found in the park. Fauna include larger animals such as pronghorns, coyotes, and bobcats; many smaller animals, such as deer mice, snakes, lizards, and seven kinds of amphibians; and more than 200 species of birds, some of which are permanent residents and many of which are migratory. About one third of the park is designated wilderness—50,260 acres (79 sq mi; 203 km). (Full article...)
... that the Phoenixonian Institute was the first African-American high school in California?
... that Arizona state senator W. P. Mahoney became an acquaintance of Wyatt Earp when he was a miner?
... that Phoenix's Chinese Cultural Center was remodeled into an ordinary office building despite the objections of preservationists and community groups?
This photograph of Canyon de Chelly, showing 'seven riders on horseback and dog', is one of his most celebrated images from The North American Indian.Canyon de Chelly is a National Park located in northeast Arizona, United States. Founded April 1, 1931, it preserves artifacts of the early Southwest Indian tribes that lived in the area, including the Navajo. The cliffs of the canyon are pockmarked with hand carved caves — the ruins of former villages.
Image 9A map showing the extent of the Ancestral Puebloan, Hohokam, and Mogollon cultures within the American Southwest and Northern Mexico, all three of which were based in what is now Arizona and/or New Mexico in around 1350 CE (from History of Arizona)
Image 10Inspiration Copper Company smelter at Miami, Arizona, c. 1915 (from History of Arizona)
Image 11Signing of Arizona statehood bill in 1912 (from History of Arizona)
Image 12This ornate grain basket by Akimel O'odham dates from the early 20th century, showing the Native American dimension to the state's culture (from History of Arizona)
