DISCOVER PHOENIX

Phoenix is the capital and the most populous city of the U.S. state of Arizona and the county seat of Maricopa County. It is the most populous capital city in the United States. Its physical location is along the banks of the normally dry Salt River. It was incorporated as a city on February 25, 1881. Residents of Phoenix are known as Phoenicians.

Phoenix has an arid climate, and its average annual maximum temperature is the highest of any major US city. In fact, out of the world's large urban areas, only some cities around the Persian Gulf, such as Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Baghdad, Iraq, and cities in India such as Kanpur and Jaipur have higher average summer temperatures. The temperature reaches or exceeds 100 oF (38 oC) on an average of 89 days during the year, including most days from early June through early September.

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CITYSCAPE OF PHOENIX

The city of Phoenix is divided up into 15 Urban Villages. These urban villages are: Ahwatukee Foothills, Alhambra, Camelback East, Central City, Deer Valley, Desert View, Encanto, Estrella, Laveen, Maryvale, North Gateway, North Mountain, Paradise Valley (not to be confused with the town of Paradise Valley), South Mountain, as well as a fifteenth which is as of yet unnamed (created in 2004 and currently called, "New Village."). The fifteenth is sparsely populated (if at all) and new development is not expected in the near future.

Phoenix has six commonly referred-to regions/ districts: Downtown, Midtown, West Phoenix, North Phoenix, South Phoenix, Biltmore Area, Arcadia, Sunnyslope, and Ahwatukee.

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ECONOMY OF PHOENIX

The early economy of Phoenix was primarily agricultural, dependent mainly on cotton and citrus farming. In the last two decades, the economy has diversified as rapidly as the population has grown. As the state capital of Arizona, many residents in the area are employed by the government.

Arizona State University has also enhanced the area's population through education and its growing research capabilities. Numerous high-tech and telecommunications companies have also recently relocated to the area. Due to the warm climate in winter, Phoenix benefits greatly from seasonal tourism and recreation, and has a particularly vibrant golf industry.

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THE ARTS IN PHOENIX

Arizona Biltmore
Arizona Historical Society Museum
Arizona Opera
Arizona Science Center
Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum at the Arizona State Fairgrounds
Burton Barr Central Library
Camelback Mountain
Castles N' Coasters
Chase Field (formerly Bank One Ball Park)
Chase Tower (formerly Bank One Center), the tallest building in the state of Arizona
Desert Ridge Marketplace
Desert Sky Mall
Encanto Park
Enchanted Island
Fleischer Museum
Hall of Flame
Heard Museum
Hotel San Carlos
Metrocenter Mall
Mystery Castle
Papago Park
Paradise Valley Mall
Phoenix Art Museum
Phoenix Museum of History
Phoenix Zoo
Pueblo Grande Museum and Cultural Park
Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art
St. Mary's Basilica
South Mountain
Symphony Hall for the Phoenix Symphony at the Phoenix Civic Plaza
Tovrea Castle
U.S. Airways Center (formerly America West Arena)
WaterWorld
Wrigley Mansion