Maricopa County






Maricopa County named after the Maricopa Tribe, was created from portions of Pima and Yavapai counties in 1871. It was the fifth county formed in Arizona, and eventually protions were used to create Gila and Pinal counties. In the late 19th century, citizens living far south of Prescott, the territorial capital and site of the Territorial Legislature, petitioned for a more local seat of government. Residents of the Salt River Valley and the Gila River area wanted a new county in their respcetive locations. After weighing both proposals, the Legislature agreed with the Salt River Valley group and created Maricopa County. In 1889, Phoenix became the final site of the territorial capital and retains its status as Arizons's capital city. More than half of the state's population resides in Maricopa County, which includes the cities of Phoenix, Mesa, Glendale, Scottsdale, Tempe, Chandler, Peoria, and Gilbert. This metropolitan area is the states's major center of political and economic activity. In addition to housing the state capital, the county is home to a growing high-tech industry; manufacturing and agricultural industires; 14 institutions of higher learning, including Arizona State University and the American Graduate School of International Managment; various cultural attractions; major leage professional basketball (Phoenix Suns and Phoenix Mercury), football (Arizona Cardinals), hockey (Phoenix Coyotes) and baseball's 2001 World Champion Arizona Diamondbacks; and Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport, fifth businest in the world with over 1,300 daily flights.



Map of Maricopa County




Pictures of Maricopa County

Chandler Skate Park


Downtown Gilbert



Maricopa Community Colleges

Maricopa County Arizona Weather

Maricopa County Sheriff's Office