50 Incredible Facts That Make Arizona Like No Other Place in the World

Every state has its own collection of unique facts, fascinating lore, and funny stories. Arizona is no different. The western state played a significant role in the frontier. It is home to an incredibly diverse group of people. And the natural wonders are beyond compare. All of these come together to create one fascinating state. So, keep reading to learn 50 incredible facts about Arizona!

State Facts

1. Offical State Fossil

Not every state has an official fossil, but Arizona does. It is petrified wood (Araucarioxylon arizonicum). Ancient trees were preserved in the desert over millennia, eventually becoming rock-hard.

2. Copper

While Arizona has a rich mining history, no substance can hold a candle to copper. There are endless copper mines, many of which are still operational. By 2017, the state still produced over two-thirds of the nation’s copper supply.

3. 48th state

Arizona was one of the last states formed in the U.S. It didn’t become a state until February 14, 1912.

4. No Daylight Savings

Almost all of the United States participates in Daylight Savings time. The only place in the contiguous U.S. that doesn’t is Arizona (with the exception of the Navajo Nation). Towns near neighboring states often have multiple clocks so they can tell the time over the state line.

5. The State Bird Is a Cactus Wren

Since Arizona has endless cacti, it should come as no surprise that the official state bird is the Cactus Wren (Campylorhynchus brunneicapillus). Unlike some of its relatives, the Cactus Wren is large and loud. This happy bird grows to around 8 1/2 inches. They are non-migratory and have boldly patterned feathers.

6. It’s the Sunniest Place in the United States

Many people believe that Florida is the sunniest spot in the country. However, it takes a backseat to Arizona, which has the greatest amount of sun daily. The state boasts a whopping 5,755 kJ/m² of annual sunlight. Sunlight is officially measured in kilojoules per square meter.

7. It Has the Most Populous State Capital

In most of the United States, individual capitals aren’t the most populated cities. But that’s not the case in Arizona. Phoenix is the capital city and also has the largest population in the state. As of the 2021 census, 1.625 million people lived in the city.

Places

8. Petrified Forest National Park

The state has an entire area dedicated to the state’s fossil, which is petrified wood. The Petrified Forest National Park sits in northeastern Arizona. It is well-known for its collection of Triassic fossils. 

9. Grand Canyon National Park

The Grand Canyon National Park is one of the seven wonders of the world and is the only one located in the United States. It is a mile deep, 217 miles long, and up to 18 miles wide at some locations. 

10. Four Corners Monument

Even with all of the natural wonders in the state, one small spot draws countless visitors to Arizona. That location is called the Four Corners. It is where the northeastern corner of the state perfectly touches the corners of three other states — Colorado, Utah, and New Mexico.

11. Sonoran Desert

The Sonoran Desert is one of the most diverse and complex deserts in the United States and northern Mexico. It covers 100,000 miles and hosts 2,000 plant species and nearly 600 animal species. 

12. Kitt Peak National Observatory

Enjoy stargazing at one of the world’s leading observatories. Kitt Peak National Observatory is a short drive from Tucson and has almost two dozen telescopes. It even sets three aside for the public, whom it hosts stargazing programs for.

13. O.K. Corral

The gunfight at the O.K. Corral is a well-known piece of Western history. On October 26, 1881, a gunfight broke out between Wyatt Earp, Morgan Earp, Virgil, and Doc Holliday and a group of outlaws. It is one of the most infamous gunfights in the American West, and visitors can watch daily reenactments in Tombstone today. 

14. Chiricahua National Monument

This national monument showcases spectacular natural wonders. However, it was also the home of Chiricahua Apaches. These nomadic people lived throughout the Southwest but spent a significant amount of time among the Chiricahua rock formations. Two of the most famous leaders were Cochise and Geronimo.

15. Bisbee

This historic town is the county seat of Cochise County and sits around an hour and a half from Tucson. It got its start in 1880 and played a significant role in the state’s mining industry. Visitors can enjoy a delightful historic downtown or tour the Copper Queen Mine.

16. Sunset Crater Volcano

Sunset Crater Volcano is a short drive from Flagstaff. It is a relatively young volcano, erupting sometime before 1100. The National Park Service preserves the spot so visitors can visit the otherworldly geologic wonder.

Fun Facts

17. Pluto Was Discovered at Lowell Observatory

While Pluto is no longer considered a planet, it was still an important discovery. Clyde Tombaught spotted it through a telescope at Lowell Observatory in Flagstaff on February 18, 1930.

18. Arizona Women Could Vote in 1912

The state of Arizona led the rest of the United States when it came to women’s suffrage. It awarded women the right to vote in 1912. The rest of American women didn’t get the same rights until August 18, 1920.

19. It Snows

That’s right. Everyone thinks of Arizona as a dry and dusty desert. However, the northern portion gets significant annual snowfall. There is even a ski resort (Arizona Snowbowl) in Flagstaff. The area averages nearly 102 inches of snowfall annually.

20. Mules Deliver the Mail

Much of Arizona remains remote and isolated from the rest of the state. Such is the case of the two communities that exist inside the Grand Canyon. Both Phantom Canyon and Supai Village still get all their mail delivered via mule.

21. Arizona Has the Oldest Native American Settlement in the United States

Oraibi is a Hopi Village within the third Mesa. It is the longest continuously inhabited Native American settlement in the entire U.S. Most researchers believe the first residents of Oraibi moved there around 1100.

22. There is a London Bridge in Lake Havasu City

In 1968, Robert P. McCulloch purchased the original London Bridge from the City of London. He transported the exterior granite to Lake Havasu City and reconstructed the bridge.

23. Arizona Is a Movie Haven

Hollywood loves the scenery in Arizona, so countless movies were set in the state (at least in part). Some of the most famous ones include 3:10 to Yuma, Young Guns II, The Lone Ranger, and The Quick and The Dead. There is even a dedicated movie set called Old Tucson. Built in 1939, the location frequently appears in Hollywood westerns. It also serves as a tourist mecca these days.

24. Jerome Grand Hotel Is the Most Haunted Spot in the State

Before becoming a hotel, the building was known as United Verde Hospital. During the hospital’s life (1927 to 1950), an estimated 9,000 people died there. The Jerome Grand Hotel is now considered the most haunted place in all of Arizona. There are reports of ghostly gurneys, voices, wheels rolling across carpeted floors, mystery phone calls from vacant rooms, slamming doors, and cold spots. 

Wildlife

25. Gila Monster

Gila monsters (Heloderma suspectum) have two distinctions — they are the only venomous lizard in the United States and the largest lizard in the country. They live in the Sonoran Desert. They live in the Sonoran Desert and can reach up to 22 inches (56 centimeters) long.

26. Rattlesnakes

There are a whopping fifteen species of rattlesnakes residing in Arizona! The most dangerous one is the Mohave rattlesnake. But, the Western diamond-backed rattlesnake is the biggest culprit of bites and deaths. Most experts believe that the annual bite total ranges between 250 and 350. However, Arizona poison centers only receive 200 bite reports annually.

27. Roadrunners

You are likely familiar with Greater Roadrunners (Geococcx californianus) thanks to Looney Tunes. These real-life birds live throughout the Southwest, including in Arizona. They can fly but prefer to run. They’ve been clocked at 26 mph!

28. Apache Trout Fish

The Apache Trout Fish (Oncorhynchus apache) is one of only two trout species native to Arizona. It is also the state fish. 

29. Other Wildlife Watching

Arizona is home to an incredibly diverse range of animal species, so wildlife watching there is quite fun. Some you may encounter include javelinas, coyotes, coatimundi, black bears, and the great blue heron.

Plants

30. Saguaro Cacti

The saguaro cactus (Carnegiea gigantea) is not only native to the Sonoran Desert, it doesn’t live anywhere else. Most of these tree-like cacti develop arms (branches). They can live up to 200 years and have the distinction of being the largest cacti in the United States.

31. Palo Verde Trees

The state tree is the stunning palo verde. Its Spanish name translates into “green stick,” which is a fitting description. There are two species native to the Sonoran Desert: the Blue Palo Verde (Cercidium floridum) and the Foothills Palo Verde (Cercidium microphyllum).

32. Prickly Pear Cactus

The prickly pear cactus (Opuntia spp.) is one of the most important cacti in Arizona. It has flat, green pads that are edible and a staple in local cuisine. Its fruit is also edible and makes delicious jams, drinks, and more.

People

33. Navajo Nation

Navajos have lived in the Four Corners region for centuries. While the people inhabited the area since at least 1300, the first documented encounter with Europeans happened in 1581. These days, Navajo tribal lands are known as Navajo Nation. Most of their land is in northern Arizona, but it extends into parts of Utah and New Mexico.

34. Ceasar Estrada Chavez

Ceasar Chavez is an important historical figure in the Southwest. He was born in Yuma on March 31, 1927. Chavez made his mark organizing farm workers. 

35. Havasupai Tribe

This ancient Native American tribe still lives inside the Grand Canyon. They are known as “the people of the blue-green waters.” Today, their reservation covers 188,077 acres.

36. Hopi Tribe

The Hopi tribe lives in Navajo and Coconino Counties in northeastern Arizona. They are well-known for their mesa settlements, which were easier to defend from raiders and attackers. Their artisan goods are highly sought-after. Many visitors flock to the reservation for a chance to purchase their beautiful blankets and pots.

37. Linda Ronstadt 

This well-known singer and highly regarded American singer was born in Tucson in 1946. On top of her countless other awards, Ronstadt has earned eleven Grammy Awards. 

By Numbers

38. Three National Parks

The state of Arizona has three national parks. They are the Grand Canyon, Petrified Forest, and Saguaro.

39. Three National Historic Trails

With its rich history, Arizona is home to three national historic trails. One of those is the Butterfield Overland Trail, the route taken by the stagecoaches and U.S. Postal Service. Additionally, the Juan Bautista de Anza Trail connected California and Nogales. The Old Spanish Trail was a trading route connecting California and Santa Fe and ran through Arizona.

40. Twenty-two Native American Tribes

There are twenty-two Native American tribes with federal recognition living within Arizona. They all have diverse cultures and rich histories.

41. Eighteen National Monuments

Arizona has the most national monuments in the United States. They are Agua Fria, Canyon de Chelly, Casa Grande Ruins, Chiricahua, Grand Canyon-Parashant, Hohokan Pima, Ironwood Forest, Montezuma Castle, Navajo, Organ Pipe Cactus, Pipe Spring, Sonoran Desert, Sunset Crater Volcano, Tonto, Tuzigoot, Vermilion Cliffs, Walnut Canyon, and Wupatki.

42. Four National Memorials and Historic Sites

There are meaningful memorials dotting Arizona, including Coronado, Fort Bowie, Hubbell Trading Post, and Tumacacori. 

43. Seventy-Five Craft Breweries

In a surprising claim to fame, Arizona is home to over seventy-five craft breweries. Thirty of them are in Phoenix alone. There are plenty of online guides to help you visit as many as you want.

44. Over One Hundred Wineries

Arizona is home to an increasingly growing wine industry. As of early 2023, there were 108 wineries in the state. That makes them #17 in the nation. 

Ghost Stories and Legends

45. Skinwalkers

The Navajo talk about a creature called skinwalkers, which will send a chill down anyone’s spine. These shape-shifters often get likened to the Western idea of a werewolf. But they are more complicated than that. Skinwalkers are considered malevolent people who can transform themselves into animals. Any encounter with a skinwalker is considered dangerous, as it exposes innocent people to dark witchcraft.

46. The London Bridge is Haunted

When parts of the London Bridge were reconstructed in Lake Havasu City, many believed it came with ghosts. There are reports of Jake the Ripper’s ghost, a London bobby on patrol, and multiple apparitions wandering on (or jumping from) the bridge.

47. Lost Dutchman’s Gold Mine

Many lives have been lost over the years as people search for the Lost Dutchman’s Gold Mine deep in the Superstition Mountains. While the person said to have discovered this mine is real, its physical existence may only be a story. Nevertheless, it continues to spark fascination among adventure seekers.

48. El Chupacabra

While many parts of the United States are replete with tales of bigfoot, El Chupacabra reigns supreme in Arizona. Locals insist the presence of a strange creature is real. Descriptions vary, but most say it has a dog-like appearance.

49. Red Ghost

The Red Ghost was first spotted in 1883. It brought terror to the frontier for almost a decade. Locals told of a large, red beast ridden by a dead man. Witnesses swore they saw a skeleton atop the fiery animal. It turned out that the spooky beast was a camel leftover from pre-Civil War days. But this camel did have a dead man riding its back. After prospectors took a shot at the “ghost,” parts of a skeleton fell off its back. To this day, no one knows who was riding it.

50. La Llorona

The Weeping woman, La Llorona, is common throughout much of the Southwest, including Arizona. Rumor has it that she drowned her children. She supposedly quickly regretted her decision and now wanders the land as a punishment. However, young children learn from a young age that La Llorona may get ahold of them if they wander outside after dark.

Summary of the 50 Incredible Facts That Make Arizona Like No Other Place in the World

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