Arizona is internationally renowned for its natural beauty, pleasant winters, varied recreational activities, and diverse cultural opportunities. There is no place on earth quite like the Grand Canyon State with 6 national forests, 21 Indian reservations, 27 state parks, 26 national parks, assorted monuments, and many recreation areas and historic sites.

Arizona has much to offer, from breathtaking landscapes of tall mountain ranges, to stunning plateaus and gorges like The Grand Canyon, nature’s grandest architectural masterpiece, which is 277 miles long, more than one mile deep, and ranges in width from 4 to 18 miles. In addition, swift rivers, grasslands, sand dunes, and cactus forests are also located throughout the state. Then there is all the Arizona history, which is rich in legends of America’s Old West.

The recreation opportunities available in Arizona are one of the main reasons many people choose to live in this beautiful state. Every form of outdoor activity is here in abundance. There are more than 325 golf courses ready for you to tee off on, plus snow skiing, water skiing, sailing, mountain biking, hiking, horseback riding, boating, rock climbing, rafting, camping, hunting, and fishing. Indoor fun is also virtually unlimited. From ice skating to yoga and world-renowned spas to shopping, you will find your favorite indoor activities everywhere you turn. You will never be bored in Arizona - indoors and outdoors, there are always more fun things to do than there is time to do them!

Arizona is one of the few lucky states to have all four major professional sports to support. Add a climate and fan base and you have one of the richest sporting environments in the world. For the ideal spectator, Arizona is host to several national golf tournaments, including the Phoenix Open, which is the best attended golf get-together in the country. You will also find MLB Baseball, NFL Football, NBA Basketball, NHL Hockey, NASCAR, professional tennis, and professional and amateur rodeo events. Since 1947, Arizona has also been a popular location and host to thirteen MLB Baseball spring training teams. Everything the sports fan could want is right here in Arizona!

The foundation of life in the Phoenix “Valley of the Sun” is business. Founded as a cattle ranch for hungry miners, Arizona's economy relied heavily on the "Five C's - Copper, Cotton, Cattle, Citrus, and Climate.” At one point, Arizona was the largest producer of cotton in the country. Now, the Phoenix metropolitan area is home to almost every major corporation in the world, many of which have their headquarters here. The environment for business has been carefully nurtured to provide a place where any enterprise can grow and thrive. An ample workforce, moderate cost of living, convenient transportation, and favorable tax structure make Arizona ideal for business.

A variety of cultural attractions, such as museums, art galleries, ballet, opera, and concerts for all musical tastes, provides the basis to feed the sole with the arts necessary for a fulfilled life. There is a quality of life in Arizona that is unsurpassed by any area of its size in the world. Arizona has so many positive factors including climate, open spaces, job opportunities, lower living costs, natural beauty, friendliness of people, abundance of natural resources, and a minimum danger of physical hazards such as earthquakes and floods.

Almost everyone that comes to Arizona finds the year-round outdoor living with its unsurpassed natural beauty, wonderful climate, and diverse recreational and cultural activities incredibly appealing. The “Valley of the Sun” has also become a hub of business and culture in the Southwest. Great schools, major corporations, professional sporting events, and world-class entertainment have made Arizona one of the best places to reside in the world. Whether you are single, married, or a retiree, Arizona is a great place to live your dreams!

Waking up to the sun every morning is probably something Phoenix, Arizona residents take for granted, but we love to share our more than 325 days of annual sunshine each year. The average high in Phoenix is 84°F while the average annual temperature is 72.5°F. The temperature exceeds 100°F for an average of 89 days a year. Though it is warm during the summer months (the highest recorded temperature was 122°F in July 1990), the locals refer to it as a "dry heat" due to the lack of humidity in the air. The annual rainfall averages 8.29 inches a year, with rain on about 36 of those days each year. Of course with such minimal amount rain in the desert, there are definitely fewer mosquitoes, flies, and other airborne insects.

The greatest example of weather in the Phoenix metropolitan area is during the summer thunderstorms, known as the monsoon season. Unlike most areas of the country, Phoenix does not really have four seasons of weather. Rather, there is the dry season and the wet season. Rarely will Phoenix see snow, tornadoes, or other major weather issues that plague most parts of the country. Instead, Phoenix has its summer thunderstorms. The monsoon season begins in July and lasts until September and is responsible for most of the rainfall in the Valley of the Sun. Most notably, these summer thunderstorms are known for their spectacular light shows.

The average low in Phoenix, Arizona is 61°F, so temperatures cool quickly once the sun goes down, especially in the spring, fall and winter. On average, the coolest month is January (the lowest recorded temperature was 16°F in 1913). Locals generally do not mind the heat in the summer as everyone lives for the moderate temperatures during the winter. All in all, Phoenix offers a climate that is just about perfect for everyone!

AVERAGE PHOENIX TEMPERATURES & PRECIPITATION

The London Bridge at Lake Havasu City is the largest antique ever sold to the United States.

Rainbow Bridge National Monument at Lake Powell is the largest natural bridge in the United States.

Time Zones: Arizona does not observe daylight savings time except at the Navajo Nation located in the northeastern portion of the state.