Arizona is a state in USA. The territory of Arizona was organised in 1863 partly from territory ceded by Mexico to the USA by the 1848 treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo and partly from the 1853 Gadsden purchase. Arizona was admitted to the Union in 1912.
The surface of Arizona is generally mountainous, but many fertile and well-watered valleys lie between the ridges. Part of the surface consists of deserts often entirely destitute of vegetation. The territory belongs to the basin of the Colorado, which passes through a portion of it, besides forming the boundary; while the Gila and Little Colorado, tributaries of the Colorado, traverse it from east to west. The canyons of the Colorado form a wonderful feature, the river flowing for hundreds of miles in a deep rocky channel with walls rising perpendicularly to the height of 500 to 1828 meters. In some parts timber is plentiful. The rainfall is small, and irrigation has been employed for agricultural purposes. Large tracts of elevated land have been found excellently adapted as pastures for sheep and cattle. The territory is rich in gold, silver, and other minerals, and mining is largely carried on, much silver and gold being now obtained.
Abbreviations
Gazetteer
Research Arizona