Arizona is a state in the United States in the south-west of the country and borders with Mexico in the south.
Large parts of the state form the desert in which the famous Grand Canyon is formed by the Colorado River.
First American Indian Reservation
Even before the colonization by the Spaniards, some Indian tribes lived in this area. For a long time, Hohokam culture was in southern Arizona. After the settlers had founded several cities here in the region, the region belonged to Mexico for some time after it became independent. In the 19th century, the area became the first Indian reservation in the United States. The border with Mexico has always had large immigration flows from the south.
Nature and sightseeing go hand in hand here
Not only the Grand Canyon is popular with visitors.
The many national parks and natural areas including the desert are also worth a visit. Due to the dry desert climate, Arizona often has very high temperatures during the day and often low temperatures at night. The temperature differences are mainly due to the proximity to the Rocky Mountains.
Due to the desert climate, a lot of different cacti grow here. Many species are very well known and the palm lilies are also very common. In the mountainous regions of Arizona there are dense forests that can stretch to the summit. There are also some bears in these areas.
In Arizona there is not only interesting nature and breathtaking landscapes but also centuries-old archaeological sites. Many of the old cities are still preserved. At the time Arizona was still on the United States border, there were many of the so-called Frontier cities here. Some of them are still preserved today.
The Grand Canyon is not the only canyon worth visiting in Arizona. Especially in the north there are beautiful landscapes that are crossed by canyons. In the south of Arizona there are the large deserts that make a special experience with their vast, lonely landscapes and their cacti.
- Countryaah.com: Alphabetical list of all cities and towns in Arizona. Check now for top 10 largest cities by population and land area. Also covers geographical map of Arizona.
Arizona is one of the hottest U.S. states, mainly because it is composed of desert areas. One of the great attractions there is the Grand Canyon National Park which is one of the postcards of the country. With imposing canyons inserted in a desert landscape, the space occupies an area of more than 400 kilometers in length with cliffs and more than 1600 meters in depth.
The largest canyon on the planet is the right adventure for those who like to explore the “B side” of the United States, avoiding the traditional script of parks and outlets that attract tourists so much. For those who love nature and want to play on the road, the place is more than recommended.
Arizona, the state in the southwestern United States, has much more to offer than just the Grand Canyon. The state is home to approximately 6.5 million residents and over 20 National Monuments are spread across the state.
The capital city of Phoenix in particular counts around 300 days of sunshine a year and impresses with 5 pro sports teams and the largest city park in the world.
The large city of Scottsdale is also a popular travel destination and is best known for its distinctive art scene (the city has more than 80 art galleries). Both cities are among the top 50 best cities in the United States.
But other cities in Arizona also have their sights, such as the ‘Old Tuscon Film Studios’, a theme park in Tuscon and the national historical landmark, the Hoover Dam.
Old Spanish National Historic Trail
Old Spanish National Historic Trail – This historic route used to serve as a route for emigrants heading from Arizona or Mexico to California. In 1829, the trail began to be used for commercial purposes as well, with Mexican businessman Antonio Armijo leading the first caravan from Santa Fe to San Gabriel (near present-day Los Angeles). However, the journey was challenging, it led through a dry desert landscape, so mules and people had to stay without water for a long time. The trail was used for commercial purposes for another 20 years, until 1848. Not only various goods were traded here, but also slaves. Whoever set out on the journey had to reckon with possible Indian raids or horse theft.
The original Hopi, Navajo, Pueblo, Utes and Apache Indian tribes knew this 2700-mile trail long before the arrival of white settlers. They used different parts of the trail in their hunts. The American John C. Frémont named this route as the Spanish Trail, who passed west to Oregon and California during the military campaign. The name comes from the old Spanish colonies in northern New Mexico and southern California, which were associated with this route. No fortifications were built on the route for the soldiers and they found no background there. Therefore, they had to take care of everything themselves, both food and water and accommodation. Today, you will find only a few documents on its route about its historical use, yet it is worth at least a small part of it.