Arizona Houses a Vast Medical System

Arizona houses many state-of-the-art medical facilities, some of which attract people from all over the world who travel here to receive top-notch medical care.

Perhaps the best-known facility is the Mayo Clinic, which is world-renowned for its outstanding level of patient services. Thousands of people every year come to the Mayo Clinic to be treated for a variety of health care ailments ranging from cardiac care to cancer. Some patients are evaluated and treated all in one day and are then sent home, and others require a stay at the Mayo Clinic Hospital, which is on the Phoenix campus.

Additional medical options in Arizona include those found throughout the Banner Healthcare system, in fact, Banner Health hospitals operate over 30 facilities ranging from large hospitals to smaller clinics, some of which are urgent- and same-day locations. Banner Desert in Mesa, Banner Thunderbird in Glendale, Banner Ironwood in Queen Creek (southeast of Phoenix) and Banner Estrella in west Phoenix are four hospitals that offer high quality medical treatments to their patients. Meanwhile, St. Joseph’s Hospital near downtown Phoenix is also extremely well-known for its outstanding healthcare, in fact, U.S. News & World Report’s annual listing of top hospitals routinely ranks St. Joseph’s in the top 10 for neurology and neurosurgery. The hospital is home to Barrow Neurological Center, several Centers of Excellence in various specialties, and a busy Trauma Center that handles everything from gunshot wounds to traffic accident victims to drownings/near drownings.

From obstetricians and gynecologists to dermatologists, oncologists and endocrinologists, specialists abound in Arizona, and it is easy to locate a doctor who can help you with a specific health condition. For very focused needs, Cancer Treatment Centers of America recently opened a facility in Goodyear called Western Regional Medical Center. An easy freeway drive from Scottsdale and Phoenix, the facility is known for its leading-edge cancer care.

Children who require intensive or specialized medical treatment will often go to Phoenix Children’s Hospital in Phoenix. The colorful building is staffed with kid-friendly doctors and nurses who do everything they can to make a child’s visit as stress-free and pleasant as possible. Along with its downtown location, the hospital also has two satellite offices that offer follow-up appointments, checkups and urgent care options.

Throughout Arizona, you will also find numerous smaller medical clinics and Urgent Care facilities. In addition, some national chain drug stores like Walgreens and CVS offer walk-in medical clinics located right inside many of their stores.

Arizonas Government Make Up

If you live near downtown Phoenix, Arizona or visit, it is worth a stop at the Capitol building and complex. Out front is the beautifully-landscaped Wesley Bolin Memorial Plaza, named after one of the state’s former governors who died in office in the 1970s. The site is also home to many memorials and monuments, including the anchor and signal mast from the USS Arizona (one of the United States Navy ships sunk in Pearl Harbor). The original Capitol building, with its impressive copper dome, is still there too; it was finished in 1900 to the tune of $136,000, and dedicated the following year. This building is now a museum.

The Arizona Legislature is made up of a 30-member Senate and a 60-member House of Representatives. Legislators are elected for two-year terms, and each Legislature/legislative session covers a two-year period, starting each year on the second Monday in January. Both senators and representatives are limited to four consecutive terms in a chamber, although there is no limit on the total number of terms served.

Arizona’s executive branch is headed by a governor who is currently allowed to serve an unlimited number of terms, but no more than two in a row. A few little-known factoids related to Arizona’s governorship: Arizona is one of just a handful states in the country that does not have a governor’s mansion. Arizona has had four female governors, which is more than any other state. Arizona is one of just seven states without a lieutenant governor. Here, the Secretary of State is first-in-line to take over the governorship in the event of resignation, removal from office, death or disability.

The Arizona Supreme Court is the highest court in the state. The court currently is made up of a Chief Justice, a Vice Chief Justice and three associate justices. Each one is appointed by the governor from a list suggested by a bi-partisan commission, and each can be re-elected two years after his or her appointment. The Arizona Court of Appeals is the intermediate court in the state and is comprised of two divisions, one in Phoenix and one in Tucson.

Arizona is divided into 15 counties ranging in size from just over 1,200 square miles to almost 19,000 square miles. Maricopa County contains about 60 percent of the state’s population, and historically, Maricopa County tends to vote Republican in many elections. Meanwhile, Pima County, which is home to Tucson and most of southern Arizona, has traditionally voted more Democratic.

Interesting Arizona Demographic Information

Arizona is the 48th state and the last of the contiguous “lower” states admitted to the Union. It officially became a state on February 14, 1912 and is well-known for its hot summers, awe-inspiring scenery and desert climate filled with cacti of all shapes and sizes, as well as its magnificent mountain ranges in the northern high country. Every fall and winter, thousands of part-time residents or “snowbirds” flock to the Arizona real estate to enjoy a mild winter awash with plenty of blue skies, sunshine and best of all—no snow!

The capital of Arizona is Phoenix; this is also the state’s largest city. Tucson comes in second, followed by Mesa, Glendale, Chandler and Scottsdale. Over six-and-a-half million people call Arizona home, split about evenly between men and women.

Arizona is one of the “Four Corners” states, bordering New Mexico, Utah, Nevada and Colorado. Of its 113,998 square miles, approximately 15 percent is privately owned. The rest of the state is made up of public park and forest land and Native American reservations. In addition, Arizona has a 389-mile international border with the states of Sonora and Baja California in Mexico.

Although the state is known for its rugged desert landscape, residents and visitors alike are often surprised to learn just how mountainous Arizona truly is. Twenty-seven percent of the state is made up of forests, which is close to current-day Germany or France. In fact, the largest stand of Ponderosa pine trees can be found in Arizona.

Arizona also tends to get more rain than many people realize. The state has an average annual rainfall of almost 13 inches; most of this amount usually falls during the winter and summer rainy seasons. In July and August the “monsoon season” typically strikes, bringing higher humidity and often dramatic thunder and lightning storms along with welcome rain. Lower elevations feature temperate winters and extremely hot summers, but once you reach the upper-third of the state, you’ll find much colder winters complete with snow. In fact, Arizona Snowbowl in Flagstaff is a popular winter destination for thousands of people.

Arizona is growing fairly quickly in population. Between 1991 and 2001, the number of people who call Arizona home rose by over 45 percent, making Arizona the second fastest-growing state in the nation.

Arizona Shopping is the Best Around

When it comes to shopping in Arizona, there is literally something for everyone. Chock-full of options from high-end, high-fashion stores to outlet malls offering designer duds for next to nothing, Arizona’s numerous indoor shopping venues provide visitors and residents plenty of cool (literally and figuratively) options to being outside during the warm summer months.

Let’s start in central Scottsdale, where Scottsdale Fashion Square boasts dozens of shops from sleek and chic clothing boutiques to nationally-known anchor stores. It’s also a great place to people-watch—grab a table in the large food court and you might even see a local celebrity walk by. Meanwhile, downtown Scottsdale is where you’ll find authentic décor, jewelry and clothing, along with chi-chi galleries and quaint eateries – all with a distinctive Southwestern-style flair.

Home to Arizona State University, Tempe’s most trendy shopping district is definitely all along Mill Avenue, a street that is alive with shops, cafes and more. Easy to navigate by foot, the area is home to many historic buildings dating back to the late 1800s, so it’s an interesting place to take a stroll even if you’re just in the mood for window-shopping.

Just north of Phoenix, Outlets at Anthem features over 70 stores, many of them popular names such as Nike, Calvin Klein, Guess and the Gap, while in the northern part of Arizona, Sedona is also home to a small outlet mall. Speaking of Sedona, this picturesque and ultra-charming town is famous for its gorgeous red-rock formations, but it is also host to an amazing selection of shopping options, including beautiful art galleries showcasing the work of local artisans as well as national figures.

If you’re in the southern part of the state, Tucson is home to a plethora of upscale stores and shops that dot the city’s sprawling landscape. In fact, Tucson’s Foothills Mall contains over 90 stores, a fifteen-screen multiplex cinema, a food court with cuisine from around the world, and more. Open daily, the Foothills Mall even has a Kids Play Area to offer some entertainment for your little ones. 

Arizona Has Options Galore for Dining Out

Whether you are visiting for the first time, spending the high season here, or living in Arizona full-time, one thing is for certain: if you are hungry, you will have no trouble finding a fabulous place to eat. From Flagstaff to Bisbee, Phoenix to Tucson, restaurants serving up virtually every type of cuisine in every price range are in abundant supply.

Of course, thanks to our proximity to the border, Mexican food is practically a fine art here, and if you step off the beaten path, you can find some of the most delicious Mexican food in some of the most unlikely places. For example, in Phoenix, Barrio Cafe on North 16th Street is renowned for its tasty dishes from central and southern Mexico. Veering away from the traditional tacos and enchiladas, Barrio Cafe features palette-pleasing dishes like chicken with Oaxacan black mole, or cochinita pibil, a to-die-for slow-cooked pork flavored with
achiote.

Locally famous Carolina’s Mexican Food on Mohave Street in Phoenix provides its guests with authentic food in generous proportions. The cavernous warehouse-style building isn’t much to look at, but you’ll be too busy savoring your burrito or enchilada on one of Carolina’s legendary paper-thin flour tortillas to notice. Take a pint of machaca and a dozen steaming-hot tortillas home; you’ll be glad you did.

Sam Fox’s collection of boutique restaurants can be found throughout Scottsdale. These include Blanco, The Greene House, Olive & Ivy and much more, however, if you prefer seafood, be sure to check out Mastro's Ocean Club Fish House, Tommy Bahama's Restaurant & Bar and Wildfish Seafood Grille, also all located in Scottsdale.

At The Phoenician Resort in Phoenix, guests can choose from about ten different dining options. Il Terrazzo is well-known for its progressive menu of Italian fare featuring many specialty dishes, while J&G Steakhouse offers – what else? – steakhouse favorites in a gorgeous setting.

Up north in Page, near Lake Powell, Fiesta Mexicana Family restaurant boasts scrumptious food in a friendly atmosphere and with outstanding service. Page may be a small town, but even here you can find a good selection of restaurants including a locally-owned Italian place with enormous calzones. Meanwhile, in the southern Arizona city of Tucson, The Lodge at Ventana Canyon is a luxurious location for enjoying a delectable meal. If you prefer casual dining, visit the lodge’s Catalina dining room or the laidback ambience of the Ventana Bar and Grill.

Arizona Living Offers Many Movie Theater Choices

Most folks living in Arizona prefer to watch a movie nestled in a plush reclining chair inside an air-conditioned theater, so thankfully, just about every city or town in Arizona has a movie theater either within the city limits or a short distance away. In fact, in Arizona, movie theaters are actually quite plentiful, with a current total of nearly 100 theaters showing films on over 900 screens. Small-town Kayenta, near Monument Valley, has the Black Mesa Twin Cinema, and Page in northern Arizona has Westates Theatres Page Mesa Theatre. Even tiny Saint Johns is host to the single-screen Town Square Theatre.

Some towns in Arizona still offer drive-in movies. Scottsdale has a six-screen drive-in called West Wind Scottsdale 6 and Tucson has one as well – the four-screen DeAnza Drive-In Theatre. If you are in Globe, about 80 miles east of Phoenix, take in a movie at the Apache Drive-In. Seeing a movie from the comfort of your car may make you feel as if you’ve stepped back, or technically, parked back in time to warm summer evenings spent watching movies with friends.

As you might have guessed, as you get into larger metropolitan areas throughout Arizona you will find more theaters from which to choose, most of them with numerous amenities. Phoenix alone has a plethora of theater screens, including AMC Ahwatukee 24 with 24 screens showing popular first-run movies. Harkins Metrocenter 12 has a dozen screens and AMC Deer Valley boasts an impressive 30. Meanwhile, the Glendale/Peoria area is home to both a multi-screen Harkins theater and a multi-screen AMC theater. Discount movie theaters are sprinkled across Arizona as well; one such theater is Tempe Cinemas where six screens show a wide variety of movies at much less than ‘normal’ admission.

Finding a movie theater and a listing of what’s playing is easy; either just look in the local newspaper for showings and locations or visit www.boxofficemojo.com or www.moviefone.com and click on the theater you wish to visit.

Arizona Living Offers Many Movie Theater Choices

Most folks living in Arizona prefer to watch a movie nestled in a plush reclining chair inside an air-conditioned theater, so thankfully, just about every city or town in Arizona has a movie theater either within the city limits or a short distance away. In fact, in Arizona, movie theaters are actually quite plentiful, with a current total of nearly 100 theaters showing films on over 900 screens. Small-town Kayenta, near Monument Valley, has the Black Mesa Twin Cinema, and Page in northern Arizona has Westates Theatres Page Mesa Theatre. Even tiny Saint Johns is host to the single-screen Town Square Theatre.

Some towns in Arizona still offer drive-in movies. Scottsdale has a six-screen drive-in called West Wind Scottsdale 6 and Tucson has one as well – the four-screen DeAnza Drive-In Theatre. If you are in Globe, about 80 miles east of Phoenix, take in a movie at the Apache Drive-In. Seeing a movie from the comfort of your car may make you feel as if you’ve stepped back, or technically, parked back in time to warm summer evenings spent watching movies with friends.

As you might have guessed, as you get into larger metropolitan areas throughout Arizona you will find more theaters from which to choose, most of them with numerous amenities. Phoenix alone has a plethora of theater screens, including AMC Ahwatukee 24 with 24 screens showing popular first-run movies. Harkins Metrocenter 12 has a dozen screens and AMC Deer Valley boasts an impressive 30. Meanwhile, the Glendale/Peoria area is home to both a multi-screen Harkins theater and a multi-screen AMC theater. Discount movie theaters are sprinkled across Arizona as well; one such theater is Tempe Cinemas where six screens show a wide variety of movies at much less than ‘normal’ admission.

Finding a movie theater and a listing of what’s playing is easy; either just look in the local newspaper for showings and locations or visit www.boxofficemojo.com or www.moviefone.com and click on the theater you wish to visit.