City Profile

Half way between Los Angeles and El Paso lies the capital of Arizona. Populated by almost 3 million people, of which about two thirds live in the central city, Phoenix has been Arizona's capital since 1889. Literally having risen from the ruins of an ancient Indian settlement, Phoenix was so named by a British immigrant early in it's history.

On the fringe of the Tonto National Forest, alongside the Salt River, the area where Phoenix lies was originally inhabited by the Hohokam Indians, as far back as 1300 AD. Its modern day settlement commenced in the 1860s, when ancient canals were used as a base for a new canal system. Within a decade, the town was incorporated as a city. Phoenix's early days were driven by agriculture, however in the last 50 years the city has taken on a life of it's own. The population has mushroomed, from a base of little more than 100,000. Attracted by job opportunities in manufacturing industries, and particularly the climate, people have flocked to Phoenix to take up residence.

The sun shines for 80% of the year in Phoenix, and whilst the summers are hot, the winters are mild. With the explosive population growth has come an enhanced culture of city living, with gleaming skyscrapers, and burgeoning malls populating the city and metropolis. The weather welcomes outdoor sports participation, and golf, tennis, pools, spas and other facilities are in great abundance. Hotels and resorts have sprung up, catering for an increasing tourist flow to the region, and a growing conference and convention market.