As the 3rd biggest city in the state of Arizona, with a population of 457,587, and its central location within the state, Mesa is a great stop for tourists passing through or anyone interested in Arizona life. The city has seen a 4.1 percent population increase, and the city is a great urban oasis in the middle of the arid southwestern climate.
At 136.45 square miles, Mesa sits on historic land. For thousands of years, the Hohokam people built up a civilization complete with intricate water canals, some of which still exist today. Their infrastructure provided some of the first great agricultural opportunity in the Mesa area, and eventually European settlers registered the area as a town in 1878 based on where their predecessors had also called home. A number of archaeological sites still dot the Mesa area for historical buffs to visit, from the Mesa Grande Ruins to the Park of the Canals.
Mesa is a short distance from the capital, Phoenix, and positioned between some great natural areas, such as the Tonto National Forest, the Gila River and the Sonoran Desert National Monument. The city is known for its dry heat in the summers, with average July temperatures of 106 degrees - but don’t let that stop you from getting outside! Red Mountain Park has a lake and is a short drive away, and for something closer to home, the Golfland Sunsplash waterpark is a great relief on hot days.