Found in the Sonoran Desert, the Salt River runs through the city. The Sonoran desert is one of the richest deserts in the world with the well known saguaro cactus. This cactus stands straight up with arms coming off of it. It lives up to 200 years old. The city is at a mean elevation of 1,117 feet. Although north of Tucson by about 100 miles, the low elevation actually makes the weather in Phoenix hotter then Tucson. The Phoenix area is surrounded by mountains; the McDowell Mountains to the northeast, the White Tank Mountains to the west, the Superstition Mountains far to the east, and the Sierra Estrella to the southwest. Within the city are the Phoenix Mountains and South Mountains. Phoenix's dry desert air and winter sunshine make it a popular health and winter resort.

The city size is 475 square miles. The is population 1,321,045 people (2000), making Phoenix the 6th largest city in the U.S.A. The larger metropolitan area is 3,251,876 people (2000), making it the 14th largest Metro area in the country. Nearby cities and suburbs include Avondale, Chandler, Gilbert, Glendale, Mesa, Paradise Valley, Peoria, Scottsdale, Sun City, and Tempe. Phoenix has become one of the nation’s largest and fastest-growing cities. The city is serviced by 1 major airport, Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport. It is located only a few miles to the southeast of the downtown. Major highways include I-17, I-10 and (nearby) I-8.

Native Americans have lived in this area for upto 8,000 years. Fort McDowell was established in 1865. By 1870 irrigation led to the settlement of present day Phoenix and was soon producing agricultural products. The railroad arrived in 1887 and by 1889, became the capital of Arizona Territory. Phoenix became the state capital in 1912 and in 1920 became the states largest city, eclipsing Tucson. The Theodore Roosevelt Dam by 1911 assured adequate water supply and flood control in this desert city. Growth accelerated after WWII bases had introduced many to the area and air conditioning made the summers livable.

Phoenix's economy is based on a tourism, retirement, manufacturing and government operations. The city is home to the Arizona State University (in nearby Tempe) and Luke Air Force Base. The City's industries include semiconductor's, aerospace and electromic equipment, information processing, warehouse and distribution, and agriculture products.

Outdoor activities are plentiful and are enhanced by year round good weather. The Salt River course runs westward through the city of Phoenix; the riverbed is normally dry except when excess runoff forces the release of water from the four dams upriver. The city of Tempe has built two inflatable dams in the Salt River bed to create a year-round recreational lake, called Tempe Town Lake. The dams are deflated to allow the river to flow unimpeded during releases.

Museums include the Arizona Science Center, Phoenix Museum of History and the Phoenix Art Museum. Also downtown is the Burton Barr Central Library. The main institution of higher education in the area is Arizona State University, with its main campus located in Tempe, and satellite campuses in Phoenix and Mesa. ASU is currently one of the largest public universities in the U.S., with a 2004 student enrollment of 57,543. The University of Phoenix is also headquartered in Phoenix. This is the nation's largest private, for-profit university with over 130,000 students at campuses throughout the United States (including Puerto Rico), Canada, Mexico, and the Netherlands.

Weather Information, Phoenix temperature is an avg high/low in Jan of 65F/41F and 105/80F in July. It has with only 7-8" of rain per year. Winter and summer are the "rainy" seasons. Spring in Phoenix is very dry.

All pictures are from Phoenix or the nearby area, using various film and digital cameras.

The state capital between Adams and Jefferson on 17th Street.
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The state capital.
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The House of Representatives at the state capital between Adams and Jefferson on 17th Street.
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Wesley Bolin Memorial Plaza between Adams and Jefferson on 17th Street.
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The city skyline from Chase Field, Home of the Az Diamondbacks.
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The city skyline from Chase Field, Home of the Az Diamondbacks.
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From inside Chase Field, Home of the Az Diamondbacks.
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From inside Chase Field, Home of the Az Diamondbacks.
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From inside Chase Field, Home of the Az Diamondbacks.
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From inside Chase Field, Home of the Az Diamondbacks.
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From inside Chase Field, Home of the Az Diamondbacks.
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Old Main at Arizona State University, in nearby Tempe.
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Music Building at ASU.
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ASU Football Stadium and the Sun Devil mascot.
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Camelback Mtn in Phoenix, AZ.
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Camelback Mtn in Phoenix, AZ.
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Looking west from Camelback Mtn in Phoenix, AZ. to the downtown area.
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Looking North from South Mountain Park in the Ahwatukee Foothills, to the downtown area in Phoenix AZ.
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Looking south from South Mountain Park to the nearby mountains.
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Further information on Phoenix can be found at the Phoenix AOL City Guide website, or
Maps of the World Phoenix site.