How well do you know Arizona?
Arizona is home to the Grand Canyon, but its deserts, craters and quirky history hold many more surprises. Six questions, from easy to hard, with explanations.
Did you know?
- Pluto was discovered at Lowell Observatory in Flagstaff, Arizona, in 1930 by astronomer Clyde Tombaugh, who was only 24 years old. The telescope he used can still be seen by visitors today.
- The Hoover Dam, on the Arizona–Nevada border, created Lake Mead. Because the two states are in different time zones for much of the year, clocks on the dam's towers show different times.
- Antelope Canyon, a slot canyon on Navajo land near Page, is famous for its swirling sandstone walls and beams of light. It can only be visited with a Navajo guide.
Deserts, canyons and surprises
Arizona is known worldwide for the Grand Canyon, but the state offers much more: the Sonoran Desert with its towering saguaros, red rock country around Sedona, high pine forests near Flagstaff and ancient Native American sites. It is also home to 22 federally recognized tribes, whose lands cover a large share of the state.
The Sonoran Desert
The Sonoran Desert is one of the most biologically diverse deserts in the world. It receives two rainy seasons a year, supporting saguaros, palo verde trees and wildlife such as javelinas, roadrunners and Gila monsters, one of the few venomous lizards in the world.
Mountains and forests
Not all of Arizona is hot desert. Flagstaff, at about 7,000 feet, receives heavy snow in winter and is surrounded by the largest ponderosa pine forest in North America. The San Francisco Peaks rise above the city to over 12,000 feet.
Native nations
The Navajo Nation, the largest Native American reservation in the United States, covers much of northeastern Arizona. The Hopi, Tohono Oʼodham, Apache and many other nations also call Arizona home, and their art, languages and traditions are central to the state's culture.
Monsoon season
From mid-June to September, Arizona experiences a monsoon season with dramatic thunderstorms, dust storms called haboobs and sudden flash floods. The rain is vital for desert plants and wildlife but can be dangerous for drivers and hikers.
Stargazing capital
Clear, dry skies make Arizona a center for astronomy. Lowell Observatory in Flagstaff, where Pluto was discovered in 1930, still welcomes visitors, and Flagstaff became the world's first International Dark Sky City in 2001.
Route 66 in Arizona
Arizona has some of the best-preserved stretches of historic Route 66, the famous highway once linking Chicago and Los Angeles. Towns such as Seligman, Williams and Winslow celebrate the road's heritage with neon signs, diners and souvenir shops, attracting travelers who want to experience classic American road-trip culture.