State Symbols of Arizona

Last updated on August 18th, 2023 by Editorial Staff

By | Updated on August 18, 2023

Reviewed by Rittika

Arizona is a member of the Western United States. Historically, Arizona was part of Spanish and Mexican territories. The territory was transferred to the United States in 1848 and became a separate entity in 1863. Arizona is also known as The Grand Canyon State because the majority of the canyon is contained within Arizona’s Grand Canyon National Park, which is one of the country’s original national parks. The park is considered one of the world’s seven natural wonders. The fun fact is that the Grand Canyon is known to be older than the dinosaurs.

The state’s name, according to some scholars, derives from a Basque term that means land of oaks, while other researchers claim a Tohono O’odham (Papago) Indian phrase that means place of the young (or little) spring.

Arizona’s borders include Nevada to the northwest, California to the west, Sonora and Baja California in Mexico to the south and southwest, together with Utah to the north, Colorado to the northeast, and New Mexico to the east. 

Arizona is the sixth-largest state covering an area of 113,990 sq mi (295,233 km), and the fourteenth highest populous state inhabiting 7,151,502, as recorded in 2020. The population of Arizona is diverse. Twenty-seven federally recognized Native American tribes, including the Navajo Nation, which has more than 300,000 residents and makes up around one-quarter of the state’s Indian reservations, are housed there. It is also the largest Native American nation in the United States.

Phoenix, its largest city, serves as its capital.

Arizona was formerly a part of the Alta California region of New Spain, but in 1821 it became a part of independent Mexico.

Humans first arrived in the area over 25,000 years ago. After the collapse of the Ancestral Pueblo (Anasazi) and Hohokam civilizations, nomadic Apache and Navajo Indians came. They were followed by Spanish treasure hunters from Mexico, in the 16th century, establishing Mexico’s claim to the territory. After the Mexican War, Arizona was transferred to the United States as part of New Mexico in 1848, with the Gadsden Purchase added in 1853. Arizona was established as a territory in 1863 and became the 48th state in 1912, making it the last of the contiguous states to be admitted to the Union. 

The Arizona Trail is 800 miles long and is dedicated to hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding, and cross-country skiing. Because of migration into the state, Arizona’s population and economy have risen considerably since the 1950s, and now the state is a major hub of the Sun Belt. Agriculture, mining, aerospace, electronics, and tourism are among the numerous industries that contribute to the state’s economy. 

The Cactus wren is Arizona’s state bird, while the Saguaro cactus flower is its state flower. The Palo verde is the state tree of Arizona, and the Ringtail is the state mammal. 

The official language of Arizona is English. 


– Learn about Arizona flag color codes and their meanings –

State Information

Official Language English
State Rank 6
Demonym(s) Arizonan
Nickname The Grand Canyon State, The Copper State; The Valentine State
ISO US-AZ
Formation Date February 14, 1912
Coordinates Lat: 31°20′ N to 37° N, Long: 109°03′ W to 114°49′ W
Area

State seal

Motto of Arizona

Ditat Deus- "God enriches"

State symbols of Arizona 👇

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State Flag of Arizona