The Grand Canyon State lies in the southwestern mountain region of the country. The state extends about 400 miles from north to south and 340 miles from east to west. Arizona is divided into 15 counties and 86 municipalities. Arizona is one of the fastest growing states, with its year-round warmth and abundance of golf courses and leisure activities.
Tourism is clearly the number one industry in Arizona.
However, copper mining is still active, and through extensive irrigation cotton, wheat, citrus and wine grapes are produced. Virtually all of Arizona s rivers are part of the Colorado River drainage system. The Colorado River is the fountainhead of some of the largest dam projects in the world, such as the Hoover and the Roosevelt, and artificial lakes such as Havasu, Mead, and Mohave. During the summer, vegetation that grew during the winter wet season dries out, creating a major fire hazard. Few of the fires, however, reach an intensity that would require FEMA assistance.