When you drive on Phoenix’s freeways or stand at the top of Dobbin’s Lookout on South Mountain, it’s easy to think this sprawling Arizona city was built in just the last few decades. But the human occupation of this area, now a metropolis of 1.5 million people, dates back millennia. The earliest inhabitants were the Hohokam people, who cultivated their land and lived in communities for more than 500 years. They were skilled farmers and craftsmen who used sophisticated irrigation canals to produce crops. They also made use of natural springs and developed a rich culture with ceremonies that honored the dead.
Despite the desert climate, Phoenix Arizona is an affluent and growing community. The city has a strong and diversified economy that includes services, manufacturing, and tourism. Its high-tech industries include aerospace technology, transportation equipment, and semiconductor production. It is also a major center of financial services, banking and insurance.
The city has a long and distinguished history of community participation in civic affairs. The first city charter was approved by voters in 1913, and Phoenix became one of the first cities to adopt the council-manager form of government. The city has also passed a series of general-purpose bond issues to finance urban improvements and services.
In the past, Phoenix’s economy was primarily agricultural and ranching, but it has shifted to a service-based economy. Today, the Phoenix metropolitan area is one of the fastest-growing and most diverse areas in the United States. In addition to a booming services sector, it is home to large numbers of corporate headquarters and distribution centers.
Phoenix’s rich cultural life is reflected in its many museums, parks, and festivals. A must-see is the Heard Museum, which preserves a wealth of Native American artifacts and offers docents who can explain how the region’s original residents thrived in the harsh Sonoran Desert environment. Other popular attractions are the Phoenix Zoo, the Desert Botanical Garden, and the campus of architect Paolo Soleri’s Arcosanti, which houses a unique collection of sculptures and buildings.
The city’s thriving business community has contributed to the development of a number of major civic projects. The city’s airport is one of the nation’s largest and most efficient, serving nearly 25 million commercial passengers a year. Other important civic projects include the construction of the 20-story Phoenix City Hall, a new Central Library and the Arizona Science Center, as well as the expansion of the Civic Plaza. The city has also adopted a comprehensive program to preserve open space, and is home to one of the most successful public-private partnerships in the country.