Lodging in a Nutshell |
by Todd Etshman, Contributing Writer |
 The 'Valley of the Sun' has become a popular nickname for Phoenix and its adjacent suburbs - where sunshine dominates the weather more than 300 days a year.
The allure of sunny dry heat and an even hotter economy has attracted enough residents to make this the sixth largest city in the nation, as well as a prime vacation destination.
Before it became home to 2.8 million people in the metropolitan area and the itinerary of some 12 million visitors a year, however, Phoenix was home to such Indian tribes as the Hohokam (meaning those who have gone) and pioneers who came with the first railroad line into the valley in 1887. Preserved and unpreserved Indian ruins can be found in close proximity to the city and at area museums. A replica pioneer village depicts 19th century life on I-17 just north of the city.
In all practicality however, it was the introduction of the air conditioner into American life after World War II, that attracted people here by the thousands. Today Phoenix and Las Vegas share the distinction of being the fastest growing cities in the country.
Phoenix is the capital of Arizona, which was the last of the lower 48 states to achieve statehood in 1912. State, federal, and local governments now constitute a large portion of the traditional downtown area as private sector business has spread throughout the valley. Top
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