Arizona 101

ARIZONA FACTS:

State Flag:	The lower half of the flag is a blue field, the upper half divided into thirteen equal segments, six light yellow and seven red. In the center of the flag is a copper-colored five-point star. The red and the blue are the same shades as the flag of the United States of America, and it measures four feet high and six feet wide. The flag was designed by Charles W. Harris and first sewn by Nan D. Hayden. Blue and yellow are the Arizona colors, and red and yellow the colors of the Spanish Conquistadores headed by Coronado who first came to Arizona in 1540. The copper star represents Arizona as the largest producer of copper in the nation.
State Seal:	Arizona’s main enterprises and attractions are represented in the seal. In the background of the seal is a range of mountains with the sun rising behind the peaks. At the right side of the mountains is a water storage reservoir and a dam, with irrigated fields and orchards. There are cattle grazing on the right, a quartz mill and a miner with a pick and shovel on the left. Above the drawing is the Arizona state motto, Ditat Deus, (Latin for “God Enriches”).
State Songs:	Anthem: Arizona March: Arizona March Song
State Flower:	Blossom of the Saguaro Cactus.The pure white waxy blossom of the giant saguaro cactus was designated the state flower of Arizona in 1931. It blooms on the tips of the saguaro cactus during the May and June months.
State Gem:	Turquoise.Turquoise was designated the official gemstone of Arizona in 1974. It’s a blue-green, waxy-surfaced stone used for centuries in Southwest Indian Jewelry. It can be found throughout the Southwest and is composed of hydrous oxide of aluminum and copper.
Official Neckwear:	Bola Tie.The bola tie was designated the official neckware of Arizona in 1973. A bola (sometimes referred to as a bolo tie) is a type of necktie consisting of a piece of cord or braided leather with decorative metal tips secured with an ornamental clasp or slide. It’s usually made by silversmiths and leather makers in almost every size and shape, most often with silver and turquoise.
State Tree:	Palo Verde.The Palo Verde was designated the official state tree of Arizona in 1954. “Palo Verde” is Spanish for “green stick.” They bloom in the spring (late march to early May) with brilliant yellow-gold flowers.
State Bird:	Cactus Wren.It measures 7 to 8 inches in length, and its back is brown with white spots, and its throat is lighter colored with black spots. Its bill is curved down and there’s a white line over each eye. Cactus wrens eat insects, seeds, and fruit. They often build their nests inside a cactus to protect them from predators.
State Fossil:	Petrified Wood.Petrified wood was designated the state fossil of Arizona in 1988. It was formed from trees alive in Triassic time, over 200 million years ago. These trees grew in high mountain ranges in central Arizona.
State Mammal:	Ringtail.The ringtail was designated the state mammal of Arizona in 1986. Ringtails are cat-sized carnivores resembling a small fox with a long raccoon-like tail. The tail is about the length of the head and body with 14-16 black and white bands and a black tip.
State Reptile:	Arizona Ridge-Nosed Rattlesnake.The Arizona ridge-nosed rattlesnake was recognized as the official state reptile of Arizona in 1986. First known to science in 1905, this small brown snake is one of the most primitive rattlesnakes found in this country.
State Fish:	Apache Trout.The Apache trout was designated the state fish of Arizona in 1986. It is found nowhere else in the world besides the coldwater streams in the White Mountains of Arizona.

Year of Statehood: 1912
Population:	6,392,017 (2010 Census)
State Capitol:	Phoenix
State Motto:	Ditat Deus (God Enriches)
Largest City:	Phoenix
State Nickname:	Grand Canyon State
State Size:	113,909 square miles Live It Up AZ