Fact 1. The word ‘œArizona’ originates from one of the following: ‘œarizuma’ from the Aztec Indians meaning ‘œsilver bearing,’ ‘œAleh-zone’ meaning ‘œsmall spring’ from the Tohono O’dham tribe or ‘œAli shonak’ which also means ‘œsmall spring’ in the Pima Indian word.

Fact 2. Arizona represents one of the four states advocating American Laws for American states due to the advent of Islam and the Islamic court system called sharia into the U.S. courts. The law prevents courts from applying foreign laws such as sharia laws if it violates fundamental Constitutional rights such as the freedom of speech.

Fact 3.    Arizona’s economy is dependent on the defense industry as the state has four military installations and a vast network of defense contractors providing employment to Arizonians.

Fact 4.  Famous Arizonians include: Rex Allen, Apache Kid, Lynda Carter, and Linda Ronstadt.

Fact 5.  The Grand Canyon located in Arizona received a National Park status in 1919.

Fact 6. Arizona is home to the longest stretch of  Route  66, called the ‘œmother road’ by John Steinbeck in the novel The Grapes of Wrath.

Fact 7.  Arizona has the third highest (6%) Native American population in the United States originating  from the Navajo, Mohave, Apache, Hopi, Paiute, Tohono O’odham, Pima, Maricopa, Yavapai, Hualapai, and Havasupai groups.

Fact 8.  The Native Americans’ main source of livelihood is agriculture, but due to insufficient water, the production of handicrafts, tourism, and mineral leases have become the main source of income.

Fact 9. The largest petrified forest, known as the Petrified Forest National Park, in Eastern Arizona was declared a national monument in 1906 and a national park in 1962.

Fact 10. The Grand Canyon was known as the Big Canyon or Great Canyon before being named the Grand Canyon by J. W. Powell .