Happy (Late) Birthday Arizona!

I was going to post this yesterday but I didn't have time/was too tired etc. but,

HAPPY BIRTHDAY ARIZONA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Arizona became a state on February 14, 1912 bringing the total number of states to 48. Arizona is known for being hot and dry and covered with deserts. The original Navajo name for Phoenix is Hoozdo which means "the place is hot". But less well known are the large pine forests and mountains that cover the norther half of the state. Although there is plenty of desert in Arizona, there are also many areas of a temperate climate.

Arizona is also home to more than 6 million inhabitants and the largest city, Phoenix, is the 5th largest city in the US (6th according to the 2005 census bureau estimates, but as it only had 2000 fewer inhabitants and Phoenix is growing at about 30% a year, I think we passed them up long ago). The majority of the inhabitants (more than half, like about 65%) live in Mericopa County which is where the Phoenix metro area is located.

Arizona is also famous for its saguaros. They can grow to over 50 ft. and weigh several tons. You also don't want to be close to one when it falls, because it's kind of filled with water, covered with spines and kind of hurts.

There are also a number of words common to Arizona that are rarely found anywhere else. Try pronouncing these words. If you can't figure them out just ask me. "Saguaro", "Ocotillo", "Tempe", "Gila Bend", "San Xavier", "Canyon de Chelly", "Mogollon Rim", "Cholla", and "Ajo".

Here are two sites that give a taste of what Arizona is like. "You know your are from Arizona if..." and "Arizona Quotes".