Facts & Fundamentals

The population of the city of Phoenix was 1,552,000 in 2007, although the Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) population stood at 4,179,400. It is the most populous US state capital, and is in fact the fifth largest city in the country.

Situated in south-central Arizona, Phoenix stretches over 475.1 square miles and is surrounded on four sides by mountain ranges. The MSA includes the suburban cities of Mesa, Chandler, Tempe, Scottsdale and Glendale, along with a host of other smaller cities and towns of various sizes.

Diverse sectors drive the economy. As the state capital, the city has a large number of government employees. Electronics companies, Arizona State University and the military are also major employers.

Weather

The city of Phoenix with an average annual temperature of 85° F is considered the hottest city in the US. During the summer months, the temperature is 100° F or higher for about 89 days. Unfortunately this coincides with the period of highest humidity (June-September), although the climate is ordinarily quite arid. The average annual rainfall at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport is a mere 8.3 inches.

Holidays & Business Hours

On federal and state holidays, many offices and businesses close or have truncated hours. Naturally, policies vary, but in general, the following holidays are broadly observed:

Coming & Going

Sky Harbor International Airport
3400 E Sky Harbor Blvd
Phoenix, AZ 85034
602-273-3300
http://phoenix.gov/AVIATION/
Served by more than 20 airlines, from JetBlue and Southwest to United and American, which fly to over 100 domestic destinations.

Making Your Way

AAA / Yellow Cab
http://www.aaayellowaz.com/
4525 E University Dr
Phoenix, AZ 85034
602-437-4000
602-252-5252

Public Transportation
http://www.ci.phoenix.az.us/PUBTRANS/pubtridx.html

DASH (Downtown Area Shuttle) buses are copper colored, and one arrives at most stops about every six minutes. Free.
http://www.ci.phoenix.az.us/PUBTRANS/dash.html

Phoenix is also in the process of constructing a light rail system, due to be opened in phases beginning December 2008. http://www.valleymetro.org/METRO_light_rail/

News & Views

Arizona Republic
http://www.azcentral.com/arizonarepublic/
200 E Van Buren Street
Phoenix, AZ 85004
602-444-8000
800-331-9303

Phoenix New Times
http://www.phoenixnewtimes.com/
1201 E. Jefferson, Phoenix, AZ 85034
602-271-0040
Fax: 602-340-8806

East Valley Tribune
120 W 1st Ave
Mesa, AZ 85210
480-898-6500

http://www.eastvalleytribune.com/

Neighborhoods

The Phoenix City Council has designated 15 “Urban Villages,” each with its own Council-appointed planning committee.

The city can be roughly divided into nine districts: Downtown, Midtown, West Phoenix, North Phoenix, South Phoenix, Biltmore Area, Arcadia, Sunnyslope, Ahwatukee. There may be several smaller neighborhood areas within each district.

Quirks & Curiosities

Phoenix is one the last large cities in the US to build a rail service. There was no intercity rail transportation, nor was there a citywide rail system. It wasn’t till the end of 2008 that the light rail system was finally complete and operational, making it much easier to get around the sprawling metropolis.

Phoenix, like most of the state of Arizona, does not follow daylight saving time.

Getting Your Bearings

Greater Phoenix Convention and Visitors Bureau
400 E Van Buren St
Ste 600
Phoenix, AZ 85004
602-254-6500
877-225-5749
visitors@visitphoenix.com
www.visitphoenix.com/

Glendale Office of Tourism & Visitor Center
5800 W Glenn Dr
Ste 140
Glendale, AZ 85301
623-930-4500
877-800-2601
www.visitglendale.com/

Necessities – Post Offices

http://www.usps.com/
Downtown Phoenix
522 N Central Ave Lbby
Phoenix, AZ 85004-9998
800-275-8777
Fax: 602-253-7920
Mon-Fri 9am-6pm

Phoenix Capitol
2 S 35th AVE
Phoenix, AZ 85009-9998
800-275-8777
FAX: 602-484-0059
Mon-Fri 8am-6pm

Need to Know – Safety

The Phoenix area has more than 40 licensed hospitals with over 8000 beds.

For emergencies, dial 911.

To contact the Phoenix Police Department in non-emergency situations, call 602-262-6151 or 602-262-7626. The Police Headquarters is located at 620 W Washington St, Phoenix, AZ 85003.

1. Geronimo! The fierce Chiricahua Apache, Geronimo, was a war leader who defended the land of his ancestors against Mexico and the U.S. Born in 1829 in southeastern Arizona, Geronimo spent much of his life there until he and hundreds of other Apaches were transported to military outposts in Florida. Eventually he ended up at Fort Sill in the Oklahoma territory. Before his death in 1909, Geronimo expressed his desire to return to Arizona. Today, however, he is buried in the Apache cemetery in Fort Sill.
2. Spring Forward and Fall Back. But not in Arizona: it’s one of the few regions in the United States that does not observe Daylight Savings Time. As a result, when the rest of the country adopts Daylight Savings Time, there is a three hour difference from Phoenix to the east coast. When the rest of the country returns to standard time, there is only a two hour difference.
3. Despite the fact that Arizona is a favorite place in the United States to retire, it’s also a place that has plenty to do at night. In the Valley, you’ll find just about any kind of nightclub – from country to rock and blues to sports.
4. Have you Heard the news? When it comes to museums, the Heard is not to be missed. No other museum focuses so much attention on Native American culture. Its internationally renowned collection of fine arts and crafts includes more than 32,000 works of art and ethnographic objects that span several centuries. The Heard Museum annually attracts 250,000 visitors from all around the world.
5. Be sure to notice the “White House,” which is located on the hill near 24th Street and Lincoln Drive. Located in Phoenix’s “uptown” Biltmore Estates neighborhood, the house was a 50th anniversary present from chewing gum magnate, William Wrigley, Jr., to his wife. After serving as a home to the deceased Geordie Hormel, heir to the Hormel fortune, the mansion is a top location for social events to be held.
6. With more than 300 days of sunshine each year, it seems as though anytime would be a great time to visit Phoenix. That’s really not the case. In general, even though temperatures can reach 120 degrees, the humidity is low and you can get comfortable. However, during the late summer, humidity builds up and releases itself during the rainy season known as the Monsoon. In just minutes, the pitter patter of rain-drops can accumulate to massive amounts of water and cause devastating flash floods.
7. Desert, anyone? While hiking in the desert, it’s important to know that you and your comrades aren’t alone. Sixteen species of rattlesnakes, twenty species of scorpions, and the Gila Monster all live there. No need to panic, though – they’re likely to stay out of your way during your hike, and they avoid populated areas. The most brutal enemy is the sun, so remember to put on sunscreen – you can burn in less than twenty minutes while you’re admiring the gorgeous desert scenery.
8. When it comes to active sports in Phoenix, golf is the fore-runner! With more than 200 golf courses within 50 miles of downtown Phoenix, you can pretty much pick your favorite. It may not be quite so easy from late December through April – golf’s high season. That’s when the temperatures are mild and the sun is aglow. The highest fees are also charged during this time, but if you wanna play, you gotta pay!
9. You’ve come this far – why not go all the way … to the Grand Canyon. A trip to the south-rim of the canyon is well worth the 5-hour drive from Phoenix.
10. Whether you’re inside or outside, you and the kids have plenty of choices when it comes to entertainment. Phoenix has its own Hall of Flame Museum of Firefighting with more than 100 restored firetrucks and equipment dating from 1725 to 1961. While you’re there be sure to dress up in fireman’s gear and climb into the seat of one of the big red trucks. It’s just one of the many attractions Phoenix has to offer!

Thanks to the mythological tale of the persevering bird, the name Phoenix conjures up images of rising from the ashes – and it is an appropriate moniker for a city that made the transition from deserted Native American ruins to upscale playground for spa-goers, duffers, arts lovers and other city-dwellers.

The Hohokam farmed the land as early as 300 BC and built a sophisticated network of canals more than 135 miles long. But despite their ingenuity, the society soon disappeared – experts believed the area suffered a fatal drought. The name Hohokam is derived from what other tribes called the area – “Ho Ho Kam,” the people who have gone.

The modern city of Phoenix was formed in 1865 as an outpost for the U.S. Army. Originally dubbed Punkinsville for its bounteous pumpkin crop, the city was later renamed Phoenix in hopes that it would undergo a dramatic resurrection. The name proved to be prophetic, as the area saw dramatic growth during the second half of the 20th century.

Today, Phoenix is just one part of the “Valley of the Sun,” which includes closely linked cities such as Scottsdale, Mesa and Tempe. Each section has its own unique look and feel, and with good reason – these are individual towns that meshed into one thanks to rapid population growth and the consequential urban sprawl. Each has maintained its unique character, and the Valley as a whole offers an abundance of history, culture, leisure and natural beauty.

Downtown Phoenix is where commerce and government are found, but it also boasts a litany of entertainment options, including Chase Field, home of the Arizona Diamondbacks, and US Airways Center, where the Phoenix Suns play. Meanwhile, the NFL Arizona Cardinals play “under the roof” at the University of Phoenix Stadium. Attractions such as the Heard Museum, Arizona Science Center and Heritage Square dot the area, providing plenty of things to do on Phoenix vacations.

Scottsdale, once considered a cowpoke town, is now known for its wealth of swanky resorts, with a burgeoning dining, shopping and arts scene to go with it. Tourists traveling in the Phoenix area flock here for a taste of the good life, and the three dozen area resorts comply with every pampering treatment you can imagine, from salt glows to seaweed wraps to full-body massages. Tempe has more of a college town vibe, with bars, sidewalk cafes and other less-expensive hangouts, while Mesa is known as a high-tech mecca, with lots of chain restaurants and shops.

While those who prefer indoor pursuits will have their fill of things to do in Phoenix, outdoorsy types will also be more than accommodated. The Desert Botanical Garden is a must-see, with more than 150 acres filled with beautiful examples of native flora and fauna. Hiking, camping and cycling are popular among locals and visitors alike, while the adventurous may want to try hot-air ballooning. And of course, there are tennis and golf, the mainstays of the snowbirds that make their way west each fall. Phoenix travelers can enjoy more than 200 golf courses, most offering stunning views.

Whether you prefer mud wraps or mountain bikes, cowboy boots or contemporary art – or all of the above – you’ll find it all under the blazing Phoenix sun. And after your day of activity, don’t forget to slow down and soak up the enchanting desert sunset. While Phoenix has risen gloriously from the ashes, this stunning view is a reminder that some things haven’t changed since the Hohokam walked these lands more than 2,000 years ago.