Phoenix, AZ
Capital of Arizona
Hotels and Motels in Phoenix,
For more information and a complete list. Click Here. (Hotel Rates, availability, reviews and reservation online)
Location /Description
Phoenix,Az the capital of Arizona, is located on the upper edge of the Sonoran Desert. It is situated in the south-central portion of the state at the intersection of Interstates 17 and 10. Phoenix is an agricultural, industrial and service center. It is surrounded by 22 other cities in the Valley of the Sun where western style homes and sprawling shopping malls abound. Downtown Phoenix has been revitalized with the new Cityscape complex.
Population / Elevation
- 1,810,420
- 1,117 feet above sea level
Weather / Climate
Phoenix, Arizona - Monthly Climate Normals | |||||||||||||
|
Year | Jan. | Feb. | Mar | Apr. | May | Jun. | Jul. | Aug. | Sep | Oct. | Nov. | Dec. |
High °F | 85 | 65 | 70 | 74 | 83 | 92 | 102 | 105 | 102 | 98 | 88 | 74 | 66 |
Low °F | 57 | 39 | 42 | 47 | 53 | 61 | 71 | 79 | 77 | 71 | 59 | 47 | 40 |
Average °F | 61 | 52 | 56 | 60 | 68 | 76 | 86 | 92 | 89 | 84 | 73 | 61 | 53 |
Rain |
History
The first people to settle and farm in the Phoenix area were the Hohokam Native Americans who arrived around 300 AD. They built 135 miles of waterways which fed their crops and villages from the water of the Salt River. It is still a mystery why these ancient people vanished, but the accepted theory is their settlement was destroyed by a long drought.
It wasn't until the 1800s that modern history began to rebuild from these prehistoric ashes. In 1867, a farmer by the name of Jack Swilling of Wickenburg discovered the conditions of Phoenix to be quite suitable for farming. He established an irrigation canal company and began digging canals.
Not long after water began flowing into the region, a growing number of settlers arrived to establish permanent homesteads. A resident by the name of Darrell Duppa suggested that they name the town "Phoenix" after the Phoenix Bird of Egyptian legend -- a bird that was burned in its nest and from the ashes a new and more beautiful bird arose. Druppa and other settlers felt that the town would rise from the ashes of the ancient cultures who had occupied the land so long before and grow into a new and more beautiful city.
In 1874 a patent for the site of Phoenix was issued by Ulysses S. Grant and the city was officially incorporated on Feb. 15, 1881. Phoenix was surveyed and lots were established within the 96 blocks of the townsite.
Phoenix remained a small farming community until the 1930s when tourism began to flourish due to the warm climate and healthy environment. The population grew in rapidly, making Phoenix the 7th largest city in the U.S. today.
Things To Do
Events Calendar
- January: Annual Sports, Vacation & RV Show
- February: Annual Native American Hoop Dance Championship
- March: Annual Gem & Mineral Show
- April: Heritage Square Farmers Market
- May: Cinco de Mayo Celebrations valleywide
- June: Annual Grand Canyon State Summer Games
- July: Fabulous Phoenix Fourth
- August: Annual Family Cornfest
- September: Harvest Festival
- October: Original Coors Rodeo Showdown
December: Fesival of Lights (Noche de las luminarias) - February: Annual Native American Hoop Dance Championship
Activities
- Walking & Hiking - Camelback Mountain, Papago Park, South Mountain Park, Squaw Peak
- Mountain Biking - Camelback Mountain, Papago Park, South Mountain Park, Squaw Peak
- Horseback Riding - Camelback Mountain, Papago Park, South Mountain Park, Squaw Peak
- Fishing - Encanto Park, Papago Park, Salt River
- Golf - Contact Phoenix Chamber of Commerce for more information
- Tennis - Contact Phoenix Chamber of Commerce for more information
- Swimming - Contact Phoenix Chamber of Commerce for more information
- Shopping - Contact Phoenix Chamber of Commerce for more information
Hotels/Motels
There are hotels and motels in Phoenix, with something for every taste and price range. For more information and a complete list. Click Here. (Hotel Rates, availability, reviews and reservation online)
Camping & RV Parks
- Arizona State Parks: 520-542-4174
- Arizona National Forests: 800-280-CAMP
Resources
Cities & Towns
- Sedona, Arizona: 119 miles north.
- Scottsdale, Arizona: 10 miles east.
- Flagstaff, Arizona:138 miles north.
- Globe, Arizona: 89 miles east.
- Wickenburg, Arizona: 53 miles west.
- Prescott, Arizona: 94 miles north.
- Tucson, Arizona: 117 miles.
Parks & Monuments
- Phoenix South Mountain Park: South end of the city.
- North Mountain Park: North end of the city.
- Encanto Park: Within the city.
- Montezuma's Castle National Monument: 85 miles north.
- Fort Verde State Historic Park: 83 miles north.
- Casa Grande National Monument: 47 miles south.
- Picacho Peak State Park: 73 miles south.
- Tonto National Monument: 60 miles east.
Wilderness & Recreation Areas
- Phoenix Mountain Reserve: Northeast of the city.
- Carefree/Cave Creek: 25 miles north.
- Tonto National Forest: Adjoins the city.
Historic & Points of Interest
- The Arboretum at Arizona State University: 10 miles east (Tempe).
- Arizona Mining & Mineral Museum: 602-255-3791.
- Arizona Science Center: 602-716-2000.
- Arizona State Capitol Museum: 602-542-4675.
- Deer Valley Rock Art Center: 1,500 prehistoric petroglyphs. 602-582-8007.
- Desert Botanical Garden: 20,000 desert plants on display. 602-941-1225.
- Heard Museum: Native American Culture and Art. 602-252-8848.
- Hall of Flame Museum of Fire Fighting: Largest collection of fire fighting equipment in the world. 602-275-3473.
- Heritage Square: A city block containing restored homes and museums dating from the late 1800s. 602-262-5029.
- Phoenix Art Museum: 602-257-1222.
- Phoenix Museum of History: 602-253-2734.
- Phoenix Zoo: More than 1,300 animals. 602-273-7771.
- Pioneer Arizona Living History Museum: Recreated southwestern settlement. 602-993-0212.
- Pueblo Grande Museum & Cultural Park: Archeological Site and Exhibits.602-495-0500.
- Wrigley Mansion: Completed in 1931 for the wife of chewing gum millionaire William Wrigley Jr, now operates as a private club with public tours.
- Boyce Thompson Southwest Arboretum: 62 miles east.
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