Phoenix is the anchor of
the Phoenix metropolitan area, also known as
the Valley of the Sun, which in turn is a part of
the Salt River Valley. Its area of 517.9 square
miles is one of the largest in the country. For more than 2,000 years,
the Hohokam people
occupied the land that would become Phoenix.It is believed that between AD 1300 and AD
1450, periods of drought and severe floods led to the Hohokam civilization's
abandonment of the area. Subsequently, the Akimel O'odham were the major Native
American group in the area, and lived in small villages, with well-defined
irrigation systems, which spread over the entire Gila River Valley, from
Florence in the east to the Estrellas in the west. When the Mexican–American War ended in 1848, Mexico ceded its northern zone to the United States and residents of that region
became U.S.
citizens. The Phoenix area became part of
the New Mexico Territory. On February 14,
1912, Phoenix became a state capital, as Arizona was admitted to the Union
as the 48th state under President William Howard Taft.
Phoenix is the fifth largest
city in the U.S. and the
largest metropolis in the state of Arizona.
It is the only state capital with more than 1,000,000 residents. By 2020 it is
estimated that the population in the city will reach nearly 1,650.000.There are over 520,000 households, with a
median household income of $46,881. The median age in Phoenix is 32.9 years. Phoenix
is known for its large number of excellent golf courses, its desert parks
throughout the city, and for interesting museums and cultural facilities, from
the PuebloGrandeMuseum to the JapaneseTranquilityPark.The award-winning PhoenixConvention Center
hosts a wide variety of meetings and venues. The DesertBotanical Garden
presents a unique local experience.
The median home price in Phoenix is $225,700, with a price per square
foot of $179.