Keys to the City

Facts & Fundamentals

The population of the city of Phoenix was 1,552,000 in 2007, although the Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) population stood at 4,179,400. It is the most populous US state capital, and is in fact the fifth largest city in the country.

Situated in south-central Arizona, Phoenix stretches over 475.1 square miles and is surrounded on four sides by mountain ranges. The MSA includes the suburban cities of Mesa, Chandler, Tempe, Scottsdale and Glendale, along with a host of other smaller cities and towns of various sizes.

Diverse sectors drive the economy. As the state capital, the city has a large number of government employees. Electronics companies, Arizona State University and the military are also major employers.

Weather

The city of Phoenix with an average annual temperature of 85° F is considered the hottest city in the US. During the summer months, the temperature is 100° F or higher for about 89 days. Unfortunately this coincides with the period of highest humidity (June-September), although the climate is ordinarily quite arid. The average annual rainfall at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport is a mere 8.3 inches.

Holidays & Business Hours

On federal and state holidays, many offices and businesses close or have truncated hours. Naturally, policies vary, but in general, the following holidays are broadly observed:

Coming & Going

Sky Harbor International Airport
3400 E Sky Harbor Blvd
Phoenix, AZ 85034
602-273-3300
http://phoenix.gov/AVIATION/
Served by more than 20 airlines, from JetBlue and Southwest to United and American, which fly to over 100 domestic destinations.

Making Your Way

AAA / Yellow Cab
http://www.aaayellowaz.com/
4525 E University Dr
Phoenix, AZ 85034
602-437-4000
602-252-5252

Public Transportation
http://www.ci.phoenix.az.us/PUBTRANS/pubtridx.html

DASH (Downtown Area Shuttle) buses are copper colored, and one arrives at most stops about every six minutes. Free.
http://www.ci.phoenix.az.us/PUBTRANS/dash.html

Phoenix is also in the process of constructing a light rail system, due to be opened in phases beginning December 2008. http://www.valleymetro.org/METRO_light_rail/

News & Views

Arizona Republic
http://www.azcentral.com/arizonarepublic/
200 E Van Buren Street
Phoenix, AZ 85004
602-444-8000
800-331-9303

Phoenix New Times
http://www.phoenixnewtimes.com/
1201 E. Jefferson, Phoenix, AZ 85034
602-271-0040
Fax: 602-340-8806

East Valley Tribune
120 W 1st Ave
Mesa, AZ 85210
480-898-6500
http://www.eastvalleytribune.com/

Neighborhoods

The Phoenix City Council has designated 15 "Urban Villages," each with its own Council-appointed planning committee.

The city can be roughly divided into nine districts: Downtown, Midtown, West Phoenix, North Phoenix, South Phoenix, Biltmore Area, Arcadia, Sunnyslope, Ahwatukee. There may be several smaller neighborhood areas within each district.

Quirks & Curiosities

Phoenix is one the last large cities in the US to build a rail service. There was no intercity rail transportation, nor was there a citywide rail system. It wasn't till the end of 2008 that the light rail system was finally complete and operational, making it much easier to get around the sprawling metropolis.

Phoenix, like most of the state of Arizona, does not follow daylight saving time.

Getting Your Bearings

Greater Phoenix Convention and Visitors Bureau
400 E Van Buren St
Ste 600
Phoenix, AZ 85004
602-254-6500
877-225-5749
visitors@visitphoenix.com
www.visitphoenix.com/

Glendale Office of Tourism & Visitor Center
5800 W Glenn Dr
Ste 140
Glendale, AZ 85301
623-930-4500
877-800-2601
www.visitglendale.com/

Necessities - Post Offices

http://www.usps.com/
Downtown Phoenix
522 N Central Ave Lbby
Phoenix, AZ 85004-9998
800-275-8777
Fax: 602-253-7920
Mon-Fri 9am-6pm

Phoenix Capitol
2 S 35th AVE
Phoenix, AZ 85009-9998
800-275-8777
FAX: 602-484-0059
Mon-Fri 8am-6pm

Need to Know – Safety

The Phoenix area has more than 40 licensed hospitals with over 8000 beds.

For emergencies, dial 911.

To contact the Phoenix Police Department in non-emergency situations, call 602-262-6151 or 602-262-7626. The Police Headquarters is located at 620 W Washington St, Phoenix, AZ 85003.