Arizona

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in the San Francisco Peaks. In the south of Arizona is the Basin and Range Province, its northeastern part reaching into the highlands of Mexico, its southwestern part ending in the Gila Desert. As a result of the hot and very dry climate steppeland and desert predominate, accounting for some two-thirds of the state's area. Giant cactuses and yuccas are characteristic of its drought-loving vegetation. At higher altitudes, with a more humid climate, the hills are partly forest-covered.

History

Some areas in Arizona are among the longest-settled parts of North America. Archeological evidence points to continuous human occupation for some 11,000 years. In the 16th C Spaniards began to move into Arizona from Mexico. Under the peace of Guadalupe Hidalgo at the end of the Mexican War (1846-48) Arizona passed to the United States (the Gadsden Purchase), and in 1912 it was admitted to the Union as the 48th state. After Oklahoma and California, Arizona has the third highest proportion of Indians (mostly Apache, Navajo and Hopi) in its population.

Economy

A major element in Arizona's economy is cattle-rearing, but in the valleys of the Gila and Salt Rivers arable farming is made possible by irrigation. Huge artificial lakes formed by damming the rivers provide water throughout the year for lucrative crops of cotton, citrus fruits, winter vegetables and forage cereals. The mining of the state's large deposits of copper ore (roughly half total U.S. output) and its processing make an important contribution to the economy. Other important minerals are molybdenum, gold, silver, zinc, lead and oil. Important industries in the secondary sector are metalworking and electronics (aircraft, rockets, etc.), foodstuffs and textiles. Tourism has also developed rapidly and become an important element in the state's economy, thanks to Arizona's magnificent scenery (e.g. the Grand Canyon), its pleasant climate and the numerous remains of old Indian cultures.