Arizona
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The state of Arizona is part of the South West of the United States. Its capital is Phoenix.
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Phoenix Metro
Like many American cities, Phoenix itself is just a hub city, and the metro area one experiences consists of many surrounding cities as well. Some of these are: Surprise, Sun City, El Mirage, Litchfield Park, Avondale, Peoria, Glendale, Goodyear, Paradise Valley, Scottsdale, Tempe, Mesa, Apache Junction, Guadaloupe, Gilbert, Chandler, and Queen Creek. As the population continues to grow, the radius of the urban area grows with it, and such towns as Maricopa, Casa Grande, Sacaton, Coolidge and Florence may eventually also become swallowed up and physically indistinguishable from the greater urban area.
Unlike nearly all other American states, where the political capital is located separately from the commercial capital, Phoenix is both. This may be a reflection of the state's recent history: It was the last of the 48 contiguous states to be admitted to the Union.
Tempe is the home of Arizona State University.
Southern Arizona
Tucson
Home of the University of Arizona
Sierra Vista
Sierra Vista was incorporated in 1956 out of a previously-ill-defined grouping of businesses and residences that had grown up near the main gate of Fort Huachuca (pron: hwah-CHOO-kah), a major center for Army intelligence training. The Fort, together with its related civilian industries, continues to be the principal economic engine for the town, but the excellent weather, scenery and recreational opportunities have begun to draw significant numbers of retirees, to the point where their existence is now beginning to vie with the Fort for economic importance. The town now has a population of around 50,000.
Because the town is so new and continues to grow so fast, it lacks much of what one expects in a "town". It is hard to pinpoint the "center" or "downtown" because Sierra Vista grew up in the age of the automobile, and the dense, pedestrian-oriented urban centers associated with the pre-automobile culture never had a chance to take root there. To put it another way, Sierra Vista's commercial center is an assemblage of strip malls and small shopping centers surrounded by large parking lots.
In spite of (or perhaps as a means of overcoming) its soulless heritage, Sierra Vista provides many unexpected cultural amenities to its residents. There are several parks, with Veterans Park being the principal one -- located near the commercial center and home to a surprisingly well-equipped indoor water park. An extensive network of municipal sports fields provides venues for seasonal team activities, and concerts are frequent at Buena Auditorium, a venue equipped with a stage large enough for symphonies and operas.
Many would argue that the biggest attractions at Sierra Vista lie in the areas nearby. The town's name (Spanish for "Mountain View") refers to the Huachuca Mountains that rise dramatically to the west and south of the town. The tops of these are above 10,000 feet (over 3900m) and are often covered in snow in the winter. The mountains directly to the west are part of the Fort and are thus somewhat restricted for entry, but as one goes a few miles south the Fort gives way to private and civilian-public property where there are numerous canyons providing access to the mountains. The canyons provide startling, unexpected experiences due to the widely varied ecosystems one passes through on ascent through them. Several are served by very utile vehicle roads.
Because of its location along migratory routes, Sierra Vista is sometimes called the Hummingbird Capital of the World, and there is a very active research program in banding the birds to study their habits.
Because it is about 2,000 feet (610m) higher in elevation than Tucson and about 3,500 feet (1,067m) higher than Phoenix, the temperatures in Sierra Vista tend to be about 10°F (6°C) cooler than Tucson and about 15° (9°C) cooler than Phoenix. In the summer, this means that Sierra Vista is much more amenable to outdoor activities (summer daytime temperatures in Phoenix and Tucson typically exceed 120°F [49°C]). In the winter, it means that while daytime temperatures are likely to be pleasant -- in a range between 50-70°F (10-21°C) -- in Sierra Vista's thin, high-altitude air, nighttime temperatures will frequently drop below freezing.
In all cases, protection from the sun is strongly advised during outdoor activities. Light hats and thin, loose, light-colored clothing work well for this in the summer. In the winter you may want a light jacket during the day and something even more substantial at night.
Detailed information about the Sierra Vista area, together with a current calendar of events, is available at the Sierra Vista Convention and Visitor's Bureau.
Bisbee
Once a major copper mining center, the town has now re-invented itself as a center for arts and crafts. "Old Bisbee" is a charming place full of narrow, winding streets populated by stores harboring constant surprises and delights. The underground mine is available for guided tours, and the open-pit mine is a spectacular sight that can be viewed from a pull-out on the highway.
Douglas
Formerly a thriving city based on refining the copper ore from the now-closed mines in Bisbee, Douglas has shrunk to a fraction of its former population, and much of the downtown has visibly fallen into disprepair.
A notable exception is the Gadsden Hotel, which has transformed its former cosmopolitan glory into an impressive collection of memorabilia. The Gadsden is still also a working hotel, and you can experience the glory of times gone by both in the exhibits and displays in the lobbies and in the very room you'll be staying in.
A good share of the economic activity of Douglas is now attributable to the US Border Patrol, which has a major presence both at the official point of entry (between Douglas and Agua Prieta, its much larger Mexican companion city) and along the long, barren stretches of desert extending both east and west. Douglas also houses an Arizona State prison, which is a major employer for the town.
Because of its location adjacent to a relatively large Mexican city, Douglas has a surprisingly large retail mall within walking distance of the border. A Super Wal-Mart and a Safeway anchor this, and the usual collection of smaller businesses also compete for the Mexican dollars walking daily across the border.
Nogales
Nogales Arizona and its sister city Nogales, Sonora sit on the US and Mexican border.
Yuma
Located at the far southwest corner of the state, Yuma is a thriving agricultural center, its success driven by the irrigation water diverted from the Colorado River that runs adjacent to the town and forms the border between Arizona and California.
