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History |
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As you look around Phoenix, it is hard to image what life was
like in 1867. It was in this year that Jack Swilling created a
canal company. He began channeling water from the Salt River.
This small beginning is how Phoenix received its name. The
legendary Egyptian symbol of rebirth is the Phoenix bird rising
from its own ashes. Travelers coming through Phoenix Sky Harbor
Airport at Terminal 2 will see a spectacular mural. The mural
depicts the Phoenix bird in all its glory. Travelers will spot
the mural high on the west wall in the main section of the
terminal.
From such small beginnings this metropolitan city has grown.
Today, Phoenix and motto is and Vision, and values cascading into the
future. and
Phoenix is in Maricopa County and is the capital of Arizona. It is at
the heart of the state and has earned the nickname "Valley of
the Sun" or "The Valley". The name refers to over 300 days of
sunshine the city receives each year and its location set amid
the mountains.
Phoenix is situated on a flat valley floor with mountains
surrounding it on every side. Camelback Mountain and Squaw Peak
are both landmarks and hiking spots. Estrella Mountain and South
Mountain, which is a 12-mile wide chain of mountains divides the
valley from the Sonoran desert to the south. McDowell Mountain
is a mountain preserve at the north of the valley and the
Superstition Mountains in the east. All of these mountains
provide a spectacular scenic backdrop for the valley. Phoenix
covers 496 square miles. Phoenix is the center of almost
everything in Arizona- population, government, industry,
finance, business, agriculture, fine arts, sports and much more.
Phoenix began as a small farming town. Today Phoenix's
population is over 1.3 million.
The city sits at an elevation of 1,090 feet. The Valley has a
warm southwestern climate with a summer high temperature of 105
degrees and a winter low temperature of 34 degrees. Most will
agree that Phoenix is the ideal place to start your excursions
to other the parts of the state, although there is so much to
see and do in town too. There are so many attractions in the
Phoenix area; it is difficult to decide where to begin.
The
Heard Museum is known around the world for its mission of
preserving the Native American past. The museum does a
tremendous job with its displays and outst anding artwork
collections. Visitors will want to make it one of their stops to
learn more about the history of the Southwest.
If shopping is
your thing, then the Arizona Biltmore is the place for you. The
Biltmore has upscale shops and wonderful restaurants. |
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