Flagstaff is a city located in northern Arizona, in the southwestern United States. In 2008, the city's estimated population was 60,222.The population of the Metropolitan Statistical Area was estimated at 127,450 in 2007.It is the county seat of Coconino County.The city is named after a Ponderosa Pine flagpole made by a scouting party from Boston (known as the "Second Boston Party") to celebrate the United States Centennial on July 4, 1876.
Flagstaff lies near the southwestern edge of the Colorado Plateau, along the western side of the largest contiguous Ponderosa Pine forest in the continental United States. Flagstaff is located adjacent to Mount Elden, just south of the San Francisco Peaks, the highest mountain range in the state of Arizona. Humphreys Peak, the highest point in Arizona at 12,633 feet (3,850 m), is located about 10 miles (16 km) north of Flagstaff in Kachina Peaks Wilderness.
Flagstaff's early economy was based on the lumber, railroadranching industries. Today, the city remains an important distribution hub for companies such as Nestlé Purina PetCare and Walgreens, and is home to Lowell Observatory, The U.S. Naval Observatory, the United States Geological Survey Flagstaff Station and Northern Arizona University. Flagstaff has a strong tourism sector, due to its proximity to Grand Canyon National Park, Oak Creek Canyon, theArizona Snowbowl, Meteor Crater and historic Route 66. The city is also home to medical device manufacturing, including such companies as W. L. Gore and Associates, and Machine Solutions.
History
In 1855 Lieutenant Beale, in surveying a road from the Rio Grande in New Mexico to Fort Tejon in California, passed over the spot where Flagstaff now stands. While camping at the Eastern extremity of the present town, the lieutenant had his men cut the limbs from a straight pine tree in order to fly the United States flag.
In 1894, Dr. Percival Lowell chose Flagstaff, due to its great visibility, as the site for the now famous Lowell Observatory. The Arizona Teacher’s College began in 1899, later becoming Northern Arizona University (1966). During the 1920’s, Route 66 was built and passed right through town making Flagstaff a popular tourist stop. Flagstaff was incorporated as a city in 1928.
Today, Flagstaff is a community rich with cultural diversity, beauty and history, as well as amazing educational, recreational, and scientific opportunities.
Geography
Flagstaff is located at 35°11′57″N 111°37′52″W / 35.19917°N 111.63111°W / 35.19917; -111.63111.
At 7,000 feet (2,130 m) elevation, located adjacent to the largest contiguous Ponderosa Pine forest in North America, the area around Flagstaff is considered a high altitude semi-desert.However, ecosystems ranging from pinon-juniper studded plateaus, high desert, green alpine forest and barren tundra can all be found within a short drive of Flagstaff.
According to the
United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 63.6 square miles (164.7 km2), of which only 0.04 square miles (0.10 km2) (0.06%) is water.
The Flagstaff Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) encompasses all of Coconino County. On July 1, 2006, the total population of the Flagstaff MSA was 124,953.
Climate
Flagstaff has a humid continental climate with four distinct seasons. The combination of high altitude and low humidity provide mild weather conditions throughout most of the year, and the predominantly clear air radiates daytime heating effectively. Temperatures often fall precipitously after sunset throughout the year, and winter nights can be very cold. Despite being less than 150 miles (240 km) from Phoenix, the mean annual temperature is 28.0 °F (15.6 °C) cooler, due to its higher elevation.
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