Boulders and giant cacti, hot air balloons and verdant green golf courses set amidst the arid landscape - the city of Phoenix literally rises from the rolling deserts of Arizona. The eighth largest city in the country, Phoenix is one of the fastest growing American cities, encompassing the nearby towns of Mesa, Tempe and Scottsdale in its vast spread. An upcoming Silicon Valley, Phoenix offers great shopping, golfing, tennis and dining experiences. Some of the country’s best spas and luxury resorts are based in the Scottsdale area and are well worth a visit if you want to unwind and relax in their lush surroundings. So if you want a golfing vacation or maybe just bask in the sun by the pool, head to Phoenix. You won’t be disappointed.

In ancient times, this area housed the Hohokam Native Indians. In the 1860s, a small farming community was established here -- the name Phoenix was given as it was built on the remains of the old Indian settlement. Over the years as the farming community prospered, many people came here in search of warm sunshine and clean air. By the 1960s, Phoenix rose to become Arizona's major financial center with many booming industries, particularly the tourist industry.

The city of Phoenix lies in the midst of the Salt River Valley, a flat region surrounded by low mountains. The Salt River flows through the city and joins the Gila River east of the city. Both rivers are usually dry, given that Phoenix has about 300 days of sunshine in the year. Summers can be very hot here with temperatures rising above 100ºF and summer thunderstorms are common. Winters are pleasantly warm at about 65ºF. Spring and fall are pleasant.

For detailed country information see USA.