The Copper State

About Arizona

Arizona is called the Grand Canyon State thanks to the eponymous canyon within its borders. At 277 miles long, 18 miles wide, and 6,000 feet (just over 1 mile) deep, the Grand Canyon is the largest canyon in the world both by length and volume.

Though many people immediately think of wide desert vistas when they picture Arizona, the state contains very diverse terrain. In the south you'll find iconic Saguaro cacti, as well as rolling hills blanketed in sagebrush under enormous desert skies. Many species of animals, including bobcats, gila monsters, owls, coyotes, javelinas, quail, and more live in the Sonoran Desert. In the north, you'll find the San Francisco and White Mountains. Snow lovers enjoy skiing and snowboarding in Flagstaff and Greer in the winter.

Arizona’s biggest mineral export is copper. Thanks to the fact that it produces almost 70% of the copper exported by the United States, Arizona has well-earned its second nickname: "The Copper State." Arizona also enjoys a reputation for farming and ranching. Yuma, AZ alone provides almost 90% of the winter leafy greens to the United States. It is also the second leading producer of cantaloupes, honeydews, pistachios and dates for the nation. Ranchers in the state run nearly 1,000,000 head of cattle per year, while wine growers produce nearly 300,000 barrels per year.