| A short history of the Arizona State flag | Arizona was first visited by a Spanish Franciscan monk in 1539. His name was Marcos de Niza. Arizona became part of the United Mexican States in 1824, and was passed (after the Mexican War) to the USA in 1848. The name is believed to come from arida-zona, the Spanish words for "dry belt". Arizona got it's flag in 1911, when it was designed for a rifle team competing in Ohio. Charles Harris (the Territories Adjutant-General) quickly designed the flag. Arizona was admitted to the union in 1912, and the flag was official in 1917. Harris indicated his background information for the colors and design of the flag. The design is to show the sun setting over the desert, with the red and yellow representing the Spanish colors. The copper color in the center star is for the main mineral found in the state. The blue bottom represents the United States. |
| A short history of Arizona (The Grand Canyon State)) | In the southwest on the Colorado River between the USA and Mexico is Arizona, containing the Grand Canyon. First settled in 1752, then part of Mexico. Part of this huge territory ceded by Mexico to the USA in 1848, which became a territory in 1863, and was admitted to the Union on 14 February 1912. |
| Area of Alaska | 113,508 sq. miles |
Capital | Phoenix |
| Major Products | Cotton, livestock, cereals, minerals (especially copper) |
| State Motto | Ditat Deus ("God enriches") |