Arizona: State Flag, Bird and Facts
The cactus wren is the state bird of Arizona, and the state flower is the saguaro cactus blossom.
- Capital
- Phoenix
- Nickname
- The Grand Canyon State
- State bird
- Cactus wren
- State flower
- Saguaro cactus blossom
- State tree
- Blue palo verde
- Admitted
- February 14, 1912
- Population
- 7,151,502 (2020 census)
- Motto
- Ditat Deus
- Region
- West
- Area
- 295,234 km² (113,990 sq mi)
- Highest point
- Humphreys Peak (12,637 ft)
- Borders
- California, Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah
About Arizona
Arizona shares the Four Corners with Colorado, New Mexico and Utah, and it meets Mexico, including Sonora and Baja California, along its southern edge. Phoenix is both the capital and the largest city. Down south the desert brings scorching summers and gentle winters, while the north has pine and spruce forests, the Colorado Plateau, deep canyons and enough snow for ski resorts near Flagstaff.
This was the last of the contiguous states to join the Union, on Valentine's Day of 1912, which earned it the nickname Valentine State. The flag splits into two halves. Up top 13 red and gold rays spread outward, a nod to the original colonies and to the colors of Spain. The bottom half is solid dark blue for the Colorado River, and a copper star sits in the middle to honor the state's mining.
Did you know?
- Humphreys Peak is the highest spot in Arizona at 12,637 feet.
- Arizona became the 48th state on February 14, 1912.
- The southernmost slice of Arizona was added in 1853 through the Gadsden Purchase.
Questions about Arizona
Why is there a star on the Arizona flag?
The copper star in the center stands for copper mining, since Arizona produces more copper than any other state.
What is the highest point in Arizona?
Humphreys Peak, at 12,637 feet, is the highest point in the state.
Sources
- Wikidata Q816, checked October 8, 2026
- Wikipedia: Arizona, checked October 8, 2026
- Wikipedia: Flag of Arizona, checked October 8, 2026
Facts are compiled from these open sources and rewritten in our own words. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.