Destination Information

Arizona's capital city of Phoenix combines with the surrounding cities of Chandler, Glendale, Mesa, Paradise Valley, Scottsdale and Tempe, among other cities, to form the Valley of the Sun, a rich mecca of diverse experiences.

Central Arizona's desert is home to the Phoenix-metropolitan area and its more than 3.4 million residents. Encompassing more than 2,000 square miles, the area amazes with a variety of experiences, ranging from world-class resorts, spas, shopping and golf courses, to renowned restaurants and a vibrant nightlife. The metropolitan area has all the wonderful experiences you would expect to find in a major city – set against the breathtaking backdrop of the Sonoran Desert.

In addition, the region also boasts fantastic museums and galleries, a wide array of sports events, Old West and Native American history, hiking and other outdoor activities suited for the state's more than 300 days of sunshine each year.

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. 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 (the state is rapidly growing) and tourism. 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.

Arizona abounds in minerals. Copper is the state's most valuable mineral; Arizona leads the nation in production. Other leading resources are molybdenum, sand, gravel, and cement.

The mountains in the north and central regions have 3,180,000 acres (1,286,900 hectares) of commercial forests, chiefly ponderosa pines and other firs, which support lumber and building-materials industries. The U.S. government owns about 95% of the commercial forests in the state. National and state forests attract millions of tourists yearly. Tourism centers in the N on the Grand Canyon, the Painted Desert, the Petrified Forest, meteor craters, ancient Native American ruins, and the Navajo and Hopi reservations that cover nearly all of the state's northeast quadrant. SE Arizona's warm, dry climate and Spanish colonial ruins also attract a large tourist trade, as do golf courses and other leisure facilities.

Our main focus when visiting Arizona is to assist those living in a long term medical facility and to assist Habitat For Humanity in their Re-Store. For more information on these partners please see the Main Page.