As the site of old Spanish missions, ancient Native American settlements and Old West ghost towns, Arizona embodies the American West in many ways. Although it is famous for its hot, dry deserts, Arizona also has vast cattle ranches and higher-elevation mountains covered in pine forests. This exciting moving destination and its plateaus are also well-known; its official nickname is "the Grand Canyon State," which was bestowed in honor of a 277-mile rift in the Colorado Plateau area of Arizona.

Origin of state's name: The origins of word "Arizona" are uncertain. It may be derived from the Pima Indian word meaning "little spring place," or it may be derived from the Aztec word arizuma, which means "silver bearing."

Capital city: Phoenix is the state capital of Arizona, and it is also its largest city. It was founded in 1861 near the confluence of the Salt River and the Gila River, and it soon became an important center of trade for European settlers moving from the eastern United States. Phoenix is the hottest city in the United States, with average temperatures of more than 100 degrees Fahrenheit in the summer months. The highest recorded temperature in Phoenix was 120 degrees.

Population: According to 2009 estimates by the U.S. Census Department, Arizona has more than 6.5 million residents.

Driving: Driver's license information, applications, testing requirements, driver's manuals and testing locations can all be found on Service Arizona, which is the Arizona Department of Transportation (DOT) customer service website.

Agriculture and Industry: The state's economy is driven by manufacturing, particularly electronics, printing, aerospace and transportation. High-tech research and development also plays a key role. Most of Arizona's agricultural wealth is in its cattle; calves, beef and dairy products are among the state's most important exports. Other important farm products include cotton, sorghum, lettuce, cauliflower and broccoli.

State Bird: The Cactus Wren is the state bird. At seven to nine inches in length, it is larger than most wrens, and friendlier and less shy around humans than other wrens.

State Tree: The state tree is the Palo Verde, which means "green stick." The tree is hardy in the dry Arizona climate.

State Flower: The state flower is the Saguaro Cactus Blossom, which is a yellow-and-white flower that blooms on a tree-sized cactus.

State Song: The state song is the "Arizona March." An alternate song called simply "Arizona" was designated in 1981; it was written by Rex Allen, Jr., a famous singer of cowboy songs.