Arizona (1947)

[Music] [Applause] the youngest state in this land of ours is the state of Arizona situated in the great Southwestern sector of the United States and bordering on the Republic of Mexico Arizona is the nation's fifth largest state larger in area and all of the six New England states [Music] combined Arizona is a land of contrasts of high mountains plateaus and semiarid desert it is a land of healthy dry climate and the giant saguaro cactus whose gorgeous White Blossom is the Arizona state flower long before Columbus discovered America the territory which is today the State of Arizona was populated by Indians today there are more full-blooded Indians in the state of Arizona than in any other state and of these most numerous are the navajos some of the Indians have advanced with a March of progress others have changed but little down through the years theirs is the simple existence of their forefathers growing grain and weaving clothing and [Music] blankets the largest city and the capital of the state of Arizona is Phoenix from Mere Stage Coach stop in 1868 Phoenix has grown to be the southwest's largest Inland [Music] City the second largest city in the state is Tucson in addition to being one of the state's most important commercial centers Tucson is the home of the University of [Music] Arizona a few miles to the South of Tucson is the United States Mexican border on one side of the street is nales in the state of Arizona on the other side is Nogales in the state of Sonora Republic of Mexico one of the southwest's most picturesque towns is Tombstone at one time a city equal in importance to San Francisco Tombstone today is almost a ghost town silver was the lure that brought Reckless men to Tombstone men who died with their boots [Music] on the prosperity of the State of Arizona is not based on any one industry a great diversity of interests shares the responsibility for its exceptional stability ranking first of among the copper mining States Arizona produces almost 1/3 of the nation Supply these great open pit mines contain perhaps the largest known copper reserves in the world near these mines giant smelters concentrating and leeching plants reduced mountains of ore into crude copper the largest Virgin Pine Forest in the world is in Arizona in addition Arizona claims the nation's largest stand of ponderosa pine ensuring a stable Lumber [Music] industry in many ways the most valuable resource of the Arizona desert Empire is water within the confines of this one state Engineers have constructed some of the finest dams of their types in the world kage Dam the highest masonry type Roosevelt Dam the highest wedge type and Boulder Dam generally referred to as the greatest engineering achievement of all [Music] time as a direct result of this tremendous supply of water for irrigation Arizona is is a bountiful all year vegetable and fruit [Music] basket Arizona Citrus oranges lemons tangerines limes and grapefruit are unsurpassed for quality and [Music] flavor Arizona ranks high in the production of sugar beads vast acreage is devoted to the growing of a large share of the nation's winter head lettuce long staple cotton and Luscious dates must be added to the varied list of Arizona's agricultural [Music] products Arizona with its vast areas of grazing lands is one of the leading livestock producers of the Great Southwest thousands of head of cattle and sheep not to mention tons of wool are supplied to the markets of the [Music] world the state State of Arizona is rich in Scenic wonders Arizona's petrified forests cover thousands of Acres petrified remains of once Mighty forests of prehistoric trees ranging up to 250 ft in length one of Nature's most brilliant achievements is Monument Valley here huge outcrops of red Sandston several hundred ft High have eroded to become pillars and spires and great rectangular blocks which have the appearance of immense Greek [Music] temples Arizona is famous for its dude ranches with a pair of riding breaches cow pony and a little assistance to get up into the saddle the visitor becomes initiated into the wonders of the once Wild and Woolly [Music] West but with without question the most magnificent and a inspiring of all of Arizona's Scenic wonders is the Grand Canyon here the mighty Colorado River over a period estimated to be more than 100 million years has cut a Gorge a mile deep and more than 200 M long creating what is probably the world's most spectacular example of river erosion and now let us review what we've seen and learned about the State of Arizona we've learned that Arizona is the youngest state in the Union we've learned that Indians inhabited this area before Columbus discovered America and that the majority of Indians in Arizona today are [Music] Navaho we've learned that the capital and largest city in the state state is Phoenix we've visited the nation's greatest copper producing area we've seen some of Arizona's magnificent dams and have seen a desert Wasteland which has been transformed into a rich agricultural Empire we visited the dude ranches and some of the more prominent Scenic wonders of the state and finally we've seen the Grand Canyon of the Colorado a mighty Chasm of breathtaking grandeur rought by the forces of river erosion Arizona is a proud and Progressive State a state of unquestioned promise for the future to the visitor Arizona extends a cordial welcome for Arizona is one of the most hospitable States in this land of ours oh