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Arizona has been inhabited for at least 20,000 years. Later cultures included the Anasazi, Hohokam,
and Cochise peoples. The Hohokam were farmers who built elaborate irrigation systems as long ago as
500 A. D. Eventually, Pueblo peoples built a civilization between the 11th and 14th centuries, and
constructed cliff dwellings that remain today. The Apache and Navajo arrived around the year 1300
from Canada.
Europeans arrived to what is now Arizona around 1539, when the Franciscan friar Marcos de Niza
arrived. Other explorers arrived, including Francisco Vasquez de Coronado. Jesuit missionaries
founded the missions of Guevavi and Tuamcacori near the end of the 17th century.
Mexico gained control of the area following the country’s declaration of independence from Spain.
After a war with the U.S. ended in 1848, the land north of the Gila River became a U.S. territory.
The remainder of the land was obtained by the U.S. via the Gadsden Purchase in 1853. Pioneers and
prospectors began moving west into the area, leading to strife between the settlers and the Native
peoples inhabiting the land. The region also experienced turbulence between the pioneers themselves,
such as in Tombstone, until the U.S. Marshals created a more peaceful environment. Arizona became a
state in 1912.
The 20th century brought about massive hydroelectric and irrigation projects to the Grand Canyon
State, including the opening of large dams along the Colorado River. The economy of Arizona also
diversified, with manufacturing and high technology taking over the historically important farming and
mining industries. Arizona is now poised to forge ahead in the biotechnology and life science
industry.
Many famous people have called Arizona home. Among these are author Zane Grey, senator John
McCain, actress Lynda Carter, Apache chiefs Cochise and Geronimo, politician Barry Goldwater, singer
Linda Ronstadt, labor leader Cesar Estrada Chavez, and director Steven Spielberg.
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