Arizona calls to mind vast deserts dominated over by tall cacti or the vast depths of that massive chasm called the Grand Canyon. To many the name Arizona calls to mind stories of marauding native people, rip roaring mining towns, gunfights in the streets or lonesome cowboys on the open range. But today's reality is one of major cities, magnificent resorts with their verdant golf courses and high tech industries. But Arizona is still a land of breathtaking scenery, traditional Native American cultures, mining towns and vast ranches. This is a land of paradoxes. It is a new state as far as American history, but one of the oldest settled regions relative to Native American history. This is a state with a romantic image that has a magnetic appeal. There is an old saying, "Once you have sand in your boots, you will never get rid of it. And that's the magic of Arizona. This illustrated book introduces you to the varied landscapes of Arizona, its unique geology and geography. Then it walks you through over 2,000 years of history. And finally it takes you on a tour of each of the major regions that combine to produce this one of a kind state. THIS IS NOT A TOUR BOOK. There are no hotel or restaurant recommendations. Those books are easy to find. This is a book that makes Arizona come alive and gives you information the tour books either ignore or skip over briefly. Come and visit Arizona through the pages of this book and then hopefully plan your next vacation in the Grand Canyon State.