States from A – Z : Arizona and Arkansas

Arizona 

Arizona is located in the southwest of the United States and is one of the "Four Corner States". The name comes from the "Four Corners Monument", located where the four states (Colorado, New Mexico, Arizona and Utah) come together. It is the only region in the USA, where four states border each other. The capital and largest city of Arizona is Phoenix, with approximately 1,567,924 inhabitants. The second largest city is Tucson (525,529 inhabitants) followed by Mesa, Glendale, Chandler and Scottsdale.

On February 14th, 1912 Arizona became the 48th state of the United States. It is known for its desert climate with hot summers and mild winters. The average temperature from late fall to early spring is quite mild with a minimum of 60°F (16°C). The coldest months are November until February, where the temperature ranges from 40-17 °F (4-24 °C).

There are different opinions of where the name "Arizona" comes from. Historians support the origin of the phrase aritz ona "good oak," and alĭ ṣonak, "small spring". But the Basque etymology is the one preferred by people from Arizona.

There is a great influence of Spanish and Indian culture. In 1821 Mexico achieved its independence from Spain. What is now Arizona became part of the Mexican Territory Nueva California, also known as Alta California. In the Mexican-American War (1847), the U.S. occupied Mexico City and forced the newly founded Mexican Republic to give up its northern territories, including the part, which later became Arizona.

Cotton farming and copper mining were the most important industries of Arizona, but they suffered heavily during the Great Depression. Tourism began to be an important industry of Arizona in the 1920s and 1930s. People came to Arizona to live on ranches and to experience the flavor and life of the "old West." Several upscale hotels and resorts opened during this period and some of them are still open for tourists today.

Arizona also is a state with great nature. Within Arizona one can find 23 national parks, national monuments and nature reserves, 67 lakes, 25 historical locations and recreation areas. The most famous canyon is surely the Grand Canyon, which is one of the oldest national parks of the United States. The park covers 1,902 mi² (4927 km²).

Arizona's neighbor to the south, Mexico, is very easy to reach from Arizona. It is an enchanting place to visit and offers travelers several unique and diverse experiences.

Did you know that there is only one place in the U.S, where mail is still delivered by mule? That place is in Havasupai, located at the bottom of the Grand Canyon.

For more information you can click on the following pages:
www.arizonadiscover.com
www.arizonaguide.com

 Arkansas

Arkansas - The Natural State - is located in the southern region of the United States and borders six states: Louisiana to the south, Missouri to the north, Tennessee and Mississippi to the east and Texas and Oklahoma to the west. Arkansas is a land of mountains and valleys, thick forests and fertile plains. It consists of the Delta with a flat landscape of rich alluvial soils formed by repeated floating of the adjacent Mississippi and the Grand Prairie with an undulating landscape. Both areas are also called the landscape of Arkansas.

Arkansas had a great balance of industrial and agricultural production in the past. Today the production is focused on finished items, such as furniture, chemicals, aircraft components, electric motors, machine tools and many other products.

The impressive nature of Arkansas attracts many tourists from all over the country. Tourism therefore plays an important history in the state's economy. Arkansas disposes of six national parks, 13 lakes, two mountain ranges and 2,6 million acres of national forest lands.

The average temperature in Arkansas is between 58 to 65 degrees Fahrenheit and the climate is usually without extreme heat or cold.

The territory of Arkansas was organized on July 4th, 1819. Less than 20 years later, in June 1836, Arkansas became the 25th state of the United States and the 13th slave state. Arkansas helped Texas to fight for independence from Mexico and sent troops and materials to support that fight. Between 1905 and 1911, Arkansas began to receive immigrants from Germany, Slovakia and Ireland. The German and Slovak peoples settled in the eastern part of the state - the Prairie - while the Irish settled down in small communities in the south eastern part of the state.

Bill Clinton, the 42nd president, was born in Hope, Arkansas. Before his presidency, Clinton served nearly twelve years as the 40th and 42nd Governor of Arkansas.

Arkansas offers a great variety of museum such as the Arkansas Arts Center in Little Rock, the Southeast Arkansas Arts and Science Center in Pine Bluff and the Miles Musical Museum in Eureka Springs, where you can see old instruments and get information on the Indian craftwork.

Due to the great diverse geography and beauty of the nature, golf plays an important role in Arkansas. The Ozark Mountains for example provide rolling hills, forests and streams which give a wonderful view. The central Arkansas region features several popular golf courses, where you can experience almost all the terrain types which can be found throughout the state. For more information please click here.

For more information about Arkansas you can visit the following websites:
www.arkansas.com
www.arkansasstateparks.com