Arizona is located in southwestern United States, bordered by Utah, New Mexico, Mexico, and, across the Colorado River, Nevada and California. It became a state on February 14, 1912, and was the 48th state to be admitted to the Union.   Area: 113,909 sq mi (295,024 sq km)                                                 Population: 6,338,755 Capital and Largest City: Phoenix Nicknames: Grand Canyon State, Copper State Motto: Ditat Deus [God Enriches] State Bird: cactus wren State Flower: blossom of the saguaro cactus State Tree: paloverde State Song: Arizona March Song A Franciscan, Marcos de Niza, was the first European to explore the area in 1539. The Coronado expedition came to the area in 1540-1542 in its search for Cíbola, one of the mythical Seven Cities of Gold. In the early 1690's and 1700's Padre Eusebio Francisco Kino founded missions in Pimería Alta (now southern Arizona and northern Sonora) and taught Christianity to the Native Americans. Spain founded presidios (fortified towns) at Tubac in 1752 and at Tucson in 1775. When Mexico gained independence from Spain in 1821, all of present-day Arizona was part of the Mexican state of Vieja, California. The United States took possession of most of Arizona at the end of the Mexican-American War in 1848. The land south of the Gila River was acquired from Mexico in the Gadsen Purchase of 1853. The state was administered as part of the Territory of New Mexico until it was organized into a separate territory on February 24, 1873. Arizona entered the Union as its 48th state on February 14, 1912. Manufacturing is the leading economic activity, with electronics, printing and publishing, processed foods, and aerospace and transportation leading sectors. High-technology research and development, communications, and service industries are also important, as are construction and tourism. Arizona is rich in minerals. Copper is the state's most valuable mineral, and Arizona leads the nation in its production. Other leading resources are molybdenum, sand, gravel, and cement. The state's principal crops are cotton, lettuce, cauliflowers, broccoli, and sorghum. Cattle, calves, and dairy goods are, however, the most valuable Arizona farm products. Military facilities contributing to Arizona's economy include Fort Huachuca, Luke, and Davis-Monthan Air Force bases, and the Yuma Proving Grounds. Testing and training with military aircraft and desert storage of commercial and military planes are both major undertakings. Between 1940 and 1960, Arizona's population increased more than 100%, and since then growth has continued. By the 2000 census the cumulative increase since 1940 amounted to more than 1000%, and Arizona was ranked among the fastest growing states in the nation. The mountainous north, however, has not shared the population growth of the southern sections of the state. Over 80% of the people are Caucasian and nearly 20% are Hispanic.     Information from Columbia Encyclopedia, Sixth Edition, and the Maricopa County Area Visitors & Relocation Guide.