State Name Origin: Arizona

Arizona is the 48th state and last of the contiguous states to be admitted to the Union, achieving
statehood on February 14, 1912. Historically part of the territory of Alta California in New Spain,
it became part of independent Mexico in 1821. After being defeated in the Mexican–American
War, Mexico ceded much of this territory to the United States in 1848. The southernmost portion
of the state was acquired in 1853 through the Gadsden Purchase.
Southern Arizona is known for its desert climate, with very hot summers and mild
winters. Northern Arizona features forests of pine, Douglas fir, and spruce trees; the Colorado
Plateau; mountain ranges (such as the San Francisco Mountains); as well as large,
deep canyons, with much more moderate summer temperatures and significant winter snowfalls
Arizona is a state in the south-western region of the United States. It is also part of the Western
United States and of the Mountain West states. It is the sixth largest and the 15th most
populous of the 50 states. Its capital and largest city is Phoenix. Arizona is one of the Four
Corners states. It has borders with New Mexico, Utah, Nevada, and the State of California, and
Mexico, and one point in common with the south-western corner of Colorado. Arizona's border
with Mexico is 389 miles (626 km) long, on the northern border of the Mexican states of Sonora
and Baja California.
The word Arizona comes from one of the following (its origin is not certain): the Aztec Indian
word "arizuma," that means "silver-bearing," from the Tohono O'odham Indian word "Aleh-zone"
which means "small spring," or the Pima Indian word "Ali shonak" which also means "small
spring."

From the Indian "Arizonac," meaning "little spring" or "young spring."

It's said that a mining speculator named Charles D. Poston first suggested the name Arizona in
a petition to the United States Congress to make Arizona a legal territory.

The name is derived from a combination of two words from the Papago Indian dialect of the
Pima language; "Aleh" and "Zon" together as "Aleh-zon" meaning "little spring." The "little
spring", located in Mexican territory, is near a large silver discovery made in Arizona Creek.

Some scholars believe that the state's name comes from a Basque aritz onak ("good oak") and
was applied to the territory because the oak trees reminded the Basque settlers in the area of
their homeland.

The State Nicknames:

 Grand Canyon State

Arizona's most popular nickname celebrates its most famous natural feature, the Grand
Canyon. Arizona was carved out of New Mexico Territory after a lot of thought struggle and
bickering. At one time the plan was to divide New Mexico Territory on an East-West gridline with
Arizona taking the bottom half. Had that been done, the Grand Canyon would be in New
Mexico.

 Copper State

Celebrates its mineral wealth, and is also represented by a copper-colored star on its flag

 The Baby State

When Arizona was admitted to the union in 1912, it quickly gained the nickname The Baby
State, which it held on to until 1959 when Alaska was admitted.

 Apache State

Its connection with American Indians gave Arizona the name Apache State

 Italy of America

The Italy of America nickname compares the beautiful and scenic mountain regions of the
state of Arizona with the mountains of Italy.

 Aztec State

This nickname was probably in reference to the Aztec place names found in the Gila and Salt
River valleys. Some of the ruins along these rivers may have been built by the Aztecs.

 Sand Hill State

Sand Hill State is a reference to the desert-like appearance of many areas throughout the
state.

 Sunset State

This nickname most certainly stemmed from the beautiful sunsets throughout the state and
particularly at the Grand Canyon. Arizona does provide a magnificent foreground for dramatic
sunsets.

 Valentine State

Arizona gained statehood on February 14, 1912