Arizona is one of the largest states in the union, covering nearly 114,000 square miles. Only around 365 square miles of the state are covered by water, making Arizona one of the driest states and giving rise to its name. There are three predominant land features that cover the state including the Basin and Ridge Region, the Transition Zone and the Colorado plateau.
The Basin and Range Region is a prominent landform that dominates much of the geography of the southwestern United States, ranging across portions of Texas, New Mexico, Utah, Nevada, Idaho and California as well as most of the southern and far western regions of Arizona. This landform is characterized by a series of rugged mountain ranges running from the southeast to the northwest including the Santa Catalina, Chiricahua, Huachuca, Gila, Pinaleno and others. The valleys between these ranges are fertile and are cultivated to produce such crops as cotton, lettuce and melons. The region serves well for cattle ranching and mining.
The Transition Zone is a narrow strip of land extending from the middle eastern portion of the state, across the center and almost to the western border. This landform is a transition area between the Basin and Ridge Region in the south and the Colorado plateau in the north. It is characterized by steep, rocky mountain ranges, arid valleys and deep canyons. Most of Arizona's mining industry operates in the Transition Zone.
Most of the northern half of the state of Arizona is covered by the Colorado plateau. This landform is characterized by broad, flat land broken occasionally by canyons or mountains. The Colorado River runs through this region, carving out some of the most spectacular canyons in the world, including the Grand Canyon. This region is home to some of Arizona's most recognized landmarks including the Painted Desert, the Petrified Forest and Monument Valley. It is also home to Humphreys Peak, the tallest mountain in the state at 12,633 feet above sea level. This region is semi-desert with little rainfall and sparse vegetation.
