Phoenix (Arizona) – all about the city on the American Cities portal. Useful information, statistics, photos, sights.

Phoenix (Arizona)

Phoenix is ​​the capital of the state of Arizona. The population of the city of Phoenix is ​​1 million 513 thousand people (for 2013), which allows it to close the top five US cities with the largest population. The urban agglomeration of Phoenix (Phoenix metropolitan area or Phoenix Metro), in addition to the city itself, includes suburbs and settlements of the central part of Arizona (among them, 8 exceeded the mark of 100 thousand inhabitants). This agglomeration, romantically named The Valley of the Sun, has approximately 4.3 million people (12th in the United States). From 1990 to 2000, the population of the Phoenix metropolitan area grew by 45%, which is 3 times the US average. This allowed the state of Arizona to become the second fastest growing state after Nevada. Significant growth, albeit at a slower pace, continues into the first decade of the 21st century.

The modern history of the city began in 1867. Having received the status of a city relatively recently in 1881, Phoenix is ​​currently an important transport hub on the North American continent. It is the industrial and economic center of the southwestern United States. Since World War II, several military bases have been located in the Phoenix area, as well as military production facilities have been built. There are many companies in the high-tech and telecommunications sector in Phoenix. In particular, only Intel built 3 chip factories at once. Arizona State University has a significant impact, with its huge research facilities and graduating 15,000 students each year. With warm winters, Phoenix has a thriving seasonal tourism and golf industry. The total size of the Greater Phoenix market is estimated at $180 billion

Greater Phoenix occupies a vast territory of 475 square miles (more than 1200 sq. km). It is one of the largest cities in the United States in terms of area. Located in the Salt River Valley, Phoenix lies at an altitude of 340 meters above sea level. The city is surrounded by one of the hottest and largest deserts of the North American continent – the Sonoran Desert. The Salt River along which Phoenix is ​​located is almost always dry. This is the negative side of the extensive irrigation network that surrounds the area. Phoenix is ​​conditionally divided into 15 districts (urban villages – urban villages), some of which were in the past independent settlements.

Statistics for 2013

• White – 45.1%
• Hispanics – 41.3%
• African Americans – 6.6%
• Asians – 2.9%
• Mixed race – 2.2%
• Indians – 1.7%

• Average per capita income – $23,703
• The average cost of a house is $162,300
• The average cost of renting a house – $868
• Unemployment (June 2014) – 6.6%
• Residents living below the poverty line – 23.6%

The cost of living rating is 92.3 (comparatively low, 8% below the US average).

The crime rate has been declining significantly in recent years, although there have been serious problems with crime since the 1970s.

Phoenix's climate is characterized as dry. Among the largest cities in the US, Phoenix is ​​the hottest. During the year, the number of clear days is more than three hundred. On average, for 110 days a year the temperature exceeds 38 degrees Celsius (from May to September). Precipitation is rare for most of the summer, but localized precipitation is possible from early July to September due to the influx of monsoon moisture. Also during the monsoons, strong winds or hail are possible, but tornadoes are rare. Winters in Phoenix are mild and dry. Only 5 days a year the temperature drops below zero. Snow is extremely rare.

Phoenix was named the 2009 All-America City of the United States. Prior to that, he won the same award in 1950, 1958, 1980 and 1989.