| Phoenix is located in central Arizona about 150 miles | | | | Sonoran desert, home of the giant Saguaro cactus |
| south of Flagstaff and 150 miles north of Tucson. | | | | that can exceed 10 meters in height. The surrounding |
| It is situated on a broad, flat desert basin amid | | | | countryside varies from barren rocky waste to fields |
| scattered barren rocky mountain peaks. It is a large | | | | of cactus and exotic desert vegetation interspersed |
| sprawling city that has expanded to envelop the | | | | with mountains and mesas of varied colour rocks. It is |
| surrounding communities of Scottsdale, Mesa, Tempe, | | | | a land that can be rugged and forbidding yet strangely |
| Glendale and Sun City. | | | | beautiful. |
| It has a small downtown area containing a few dozen | | | | There are many things to see in Phoenix and the |
| high rise buildings surrounded by a large metropolitan | | | | surrounding area. The Desert Botanical Museum has a |
| area that has expanded outward rather than upward. | | | | wonderful collection of desert plants from arid regions |
| Phoenix has attracted many retired people who come | | | | around the world. It is a great place to learn about the |
| to enjoy the year round warm climate, the dry desert | | | | flora of the southern Arizona desert. The museum is |
| atmosphere and the relatively modest cost of living. | | | | located near the popular Phoenix zoo, which contains |
| Unfortunately, this popularity has given rise to increased | | | | a fine exhibit of animals living in the surrounding desert. |
| population density, urban sprawl and traffic congestion. | | | | Heard Museum features Native American culture and |
| Nevertheless, Phoenix and the surrounding areas retain | | | | art including an extensive collection of artefacts that |
| a pleasant arid climate free of the rains and | | | | depict the lifestyle of local indigenous people. Deer |
| mosquitoes in Florida and without the exorbitant cost | | | | Valley Rock Art Centre is dedicated to the |
| of living in Southern California. | | | | preservation and interpretation of petroglyphs or |
| The climate is very dry with temperatures ranging | | | | prehistoric Native American rock art. Pueblo Grande |
| from pleasantly temperate during the winter to | | | | Museum features an archaeological site revealing |
| extremely hot during the summer. Daytime | | | | some of the ancient dwellings. These attractions in |
| temperatures often exceed 45 during the summer | | | | addition to the Mining and Mineral Museum and the |
| months but average a refreshing 20 to 25 during the | | | | Chicano Museum help form a complete depiction of |
| winter. | | | | the Central Arizona heritage. |
| Golfing at one of the many surrounding courses is | | | | Outdoor activities like golf, tennis and mountain biking |
| popular during the winter. Residents usually avoid all | | | | are very popular all year round in Phoenix but |
| outdoor activities during midday hours in the summer. | | | | especially during the winter months. There are nearly |
| Late fall and early spring are good times to visit | | | | 120 golf courses near Phoenix. Horseback riding is |
| Phoenix, in order to avoid the summer heat and the | | | | another favourite pastime and many horse rental |
| winter tourists. | | | | stables are located in the area. |
| The Phoenix area lies within the northern fringe of the | | | | |