Populated primarily by Native Americans through the 19th century, the descendants of many tribes, almost one-seventh of the Native American population in the United States, now occupy reservations on one-half of the state's land. Grand Canyon National Park is Arizona's wonder of the world. No photograph, no words will match the reality of its beauty. You have to see it for yourself. Hoover Dam, a 221-meter-high structure, is the highest concrete dam in the U.S. Canyon de Chelly National Monument, constitute scenic deep sandstone canyons and Anasazi ruins in the heart of Navajo Indian country.
Phoenix is the state's capital, a nice and very hot city averaging 38º C in summer. Flagstaff has the best light ordinance in the country, so that energy is not wasted and astronomical observation can be performed relatively close to town by Lowell Observatory. Meteor Crater is a unique geological wonder, the scar of a giant meteor impact. Tucson is smaller than Phoenix, with the walkable downtown, U. of Arizona Campus and several world-class astronomical observatories near the city. Saguaro National Park showcases the richest stands of desert giant cactus. Saguaros that live 150 to 200 years tower as high as 15 meters and weigh 8 tons or more.
