Gross Domestic Product (GDP): $266,891 million (2012 U.S. Department of Commerce)
Key Industries: Copper mining, cotton, manufacturing, electronics, cattle, and tourism
How Arizona got its name: Historians are not sure exactly where the name for Arizona originated. Most think that it came from a Native American word meaning little spring. Some other names were considered for the territory including Montezuma and Arizuma.
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Arizona State Symbols
State Nickname: Grand Canyon State
State Slogan: The Grand Canyon State; also on its license plate
State Motto: Ditat Deus (God enriches)
State flower: Saguaro Cactus blossom
State bird: Cactus Wren
State fish: Apache trout
State tree: Palo Verde
State mammal: Ringtail
State foods: Prickly-pear cactus
Becoming a State
Date admitted: Wednesday, February 14, 1912
Number admitted: 48
Prior Name: Arizona Territory
Postal Abbreviation: AZ
The Geography of Arizona
Total Size: 113,635 sq. miles (source: 2003 Census)
Geographical Low Point: Colorado River at 70 feet, located in the county/subdivision of Yuma (source: U.S. Geological Survey)
Geographical High Point: Humphreys Peak at 12,633 feet, located in the county/subdivision of Coconino (source: U.S. Geological Survey)
Central Point: Located in Yavapai County approx. 55 miles east-southeast of Prescott (source: U.S. Geological Survey)
Counties: 15 (source: National Association of Counties)
Bodies of Water: Major bodies of water include the Colorado River, Gila River, Lake Mead, Lake Havasu, and Lake Powell.
