10 Incredible Facts About Arizona That You Should Know

Everyone knows that Arizona is famous for record-breaking temperatures and the gorgeous Grand Canyon, but did you know these ten interesting facts about Arizona?

1. The Official State Flower of Arizona is the Saguaro Cactus Bloom

Between May and June, you can see the beautiful white flowers. Even cooler? The Saguaro is the largest cactus in America!

2. The Official State Fossil of Arizona is Petrified Wood

If you’re interested in seeing a whole lot of this multi-colored material, then head on over to Petrified Forest National Park where they’ve got tons of it!

3. Turquoise is the Official State Gemstone

People travel from all across the country to come to buy jewelry that incorporates these blue-green stones.

4. The Copper Roof of Arizona’s Capitol Building Honors Its Ongoing Heritage

As the nation’s top copper producer, Arizona provides a very important service for the rest of the country, which makes this one of the most important facts about Arizona. How much copper was needed to cover the roof?  The equivalent of about 4,800,000 pennies!

5. Arizona Doesn’t Participate in Daylight Savings Time

They use Mountain Standard Time all year long, with the exception of the Navajo Nation Community.

6. It Wasn’t Until 1926 That the Railroad Connected Arizona to the East Coast

Before the Southern Pacific Railroad, making the trek from the east coast to the west coast was an even more treacherous journey.

7) The Amount of Precipitation Ranges Widely

The variety of landscapes and altitudes provide a lot of precipitation diversity. While Flagstaff might average eighteen inches a year, Yuma would consider themselves lucky to see four inches annually.

8. Arizona Has the Most Native Protected Lands

This makes sense, considering the world’s oldest Indian settlement, Oraibi, was founded here by the Hopi Native Americans.

9. You’ll Find the World’s Largest Solar Telescope in Arizona

Head over to Kitts Peak National Observatory located on Kitt Peak of the Quinlan Mountains in the Arizona-Sonoran Desert on the Tohono O’odham Nation if you’re in the mood for some science.

10. Camels Were Once Widely Used

Camels were once used for transporting goods in Arizona. This interesting fact is probably the source of many camel-centered Arizonian legends! Unfortunately, you won’t find any camels in Arizona today — unless you’re in a zoo.