Phoenix,
known as the
Valley of
the Sun, is
the sixth-largest
city in the
nation. It
is the hub
of the rapidly
growing Southwest
and the heart
of a metro
area of 2.45
million people.
Phoenix is
also the capital
of Arizona
and the Maricopa
County seat.
In 1867, Phoenix
founder Jack
Swilling formed
a canal company
and diverted
irrigation
water from
the Salt River.
In 1911, Roosevelt
Dam was completed
and water
supplies were
stabilized.
Phoenix's
explosive
growth began
during World
War II when
military
airfields
were built
in Maricopa
County for
the near-perfect
flying weather.
Many defense
industries
followed.
Luke Air
Force Base,
west of
Phoenix,
is still
a major
training
center for
fighter
pilots.
Climate
has been
a prime
factor in
the city's
growth:
the area
experiences
sunshine
nearly every
day of the
year.
The name
Phoenix
- legendary
Egyptian
symbol of
rebirth
- was chosen
because
the city
was built
on the ruins
of the Hohokam
civilization
whose farmers
dug irrigation
canals still
in use today.
Professional
sports flourish
in Phoenix.
Teams include
the Diamondbacks
(MLB), Cardinals
(NFL), Suns
(NBA), Coyotes
(NHL) and
Mercury
(WNBA).
Each spring,
Cactus League
baseball
games feature
the Chicago
Cubs, Oakland
Athletics,
San Francisco
Giants,
Milwaukee
Brewers
and Seattle
Mariners.
Downtown
Phoenix,
the cultural
and entertainment
hub for
the metro
area,
is home
to America
West Arena,
Bank One
Ballpark,
Phoenix
Symphony
Hall,
Phoenix
Civic
Plaza
and Convention
Center
as well
as the
following
attractions:
Arizona
Center.
Downtown
Phoenix's
shopping
& entertainment
destination.
Features
50+
specialty
shops,
nightclubs
and
restaurants.
Arizona
Science
Center.
One
of downtown
Phoenix's
crown
jewels,
the
center
features
a multitude
of hands-on
exhibits,
and
a planetarium.
Desert
Botanical
Gardens.
Displays
more
than
20,000
plants
from
all
over
the
world,
exhibits
and
demonstrations.
Heard
Museum.
World-renowned
museum
devoted
to Native
American
art
and
culture
that
boasts
over
75,000
artifacts.
Herberger
Theater.
The
theater's
two
stages
provide
an intimate
setting
for
ballet,
performances
by the
Arizona
Theatre
Company
and
others.
Phoenix
Art
Museum.
Features
13,000
works.
Permanent
collection
of Western,
contemporary,
Latin
American
and
European
art.
Phoenix
History
Museum.
Dynamic
interactive
exhibits
showcase
the
area's
metamorphosis
from
a dusty
desert
town
to a
modern
metropolis.
Phoenix
Zoo.
Arizona's
largest.
Attractions
include
the
4-acre
African
veldt
and
the
Forest
of Uco,
a rain-forest
exhibit
with
rare
bears.
Pueblo
Grande.
Near
downtown
Phoenix,
the
museum
showcases
life
as it
was
2,000
years
ago
in the
Sonoran
Desert.
South
Mountain
Park.
The
largest
municipal
park
in the
world,
with
hiking,
biking
and
equestrian
trails,
picnic
and
camping
facilities,
and
spectacular
views
of the
entire
Phoenix
area.
St. George Golf Guide: Contains essential info about the golf scene in St. George, including course and hotel info.
Phoenix,
known as the
Valley of
the Sun, is
the sixth-largest
city in the
nation. It
is the hub
of the rapidly
growing Southwest
and the heart
of a metro
area of 2.45
million people.
Phoenix is
also the capital
of Arizona
and the Maricopa
County seat.
In 1867, Phoenix
founder Jack
Swilling formed
a canal company
and diverted
irrigation
water from
the Salt River.
In 1911, Roosevelt
Dam was completed
and water
supplies were
stabilized.
