Native Americans and the Spanish have an enormous impact on the history of Arizona. Before the Hopi, the Apache, and the Navajo tribes that we see in Arizona today, Arizona was home to even older tribes such as the Anasazi and the Sinagua people. Roughly 1,000 years ago, the Anasazi built complex, multi-family dwellings into cliff and canyon walls into the area they occupied now called the Four Corners Region. For unknown reasons, the Anasazi abandoned their Arizona home in the 12th and 13th centuries. In central Arizona, the Sinagua also began to build elaborate dwellings before completely disappearing by the end of the 14th century. (http://www.gatewaytosedona.com/article/id/1463/page/1)
Today, the Hopi, believed to be direct descendants of the Anasazi, occupy their own 1.5 million acre reservation outside Flagstaff, Arizona. As of 2000, their numbers are about 7,000 and are divided into several matrilineal clans. Making up a majority of Arizona's Native American population today are the Navajo, who as part of a larger group, migrated into the Four Corners area between 1000 and 1200 AD. Their nation today includes aproximately a quarter million people within a 27,000 square mile area, surrounding the Hopi reservation. (http://www.gatewaytosedona.com/article/id/1463/page/2)
The Spanish arrived in the 16th century in search of gold. Legend says that during the Moorish invasion, seven bishops fled Spain and founded seven cities in the territory north of Mexico. Upon hearing these rumors, a Spanish Franciscan Friar by the name of Marcos de Niza came in search of these Seven Cities of Gold. From 1810 to 1821, during the Mexican war of independence from Spain, Arizona came under Mexican control. Then, in 1848, in the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, Mexico relinquished control to the United States. In 1863, Arizona was organized as a separate territory. It attained statehood in 1912. (http://www.destination360.com/north-america/us/arizona/history-of-arizona)
Today, several Arizonan traditions continue with their Native American and Latin Cultural heritage. One example is the celebration of Dia de los Muertos which is celebrated in October throughout various Arizona locations. Arizona state facts also exhibit signs of its past. The state gem is turquoise which was widely used in Native American jewelry. The state flag's red and gold colors represent the colors worn by Spanish explorers while in search of the seven cities of gold. (http://www.destination360.com/north-america/us/arizona/history-of-arizona)
The earliest religions of Arizona were obviously those of its earliest inhabitants, the Native Americans. Today, a majority of inhabitants are of the Christian faith, probably due to the Spanish missionaries who converted many Arizonan Indians. In 2000, Catholics numbered at approximately 975,000. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormons) constitutes the 2nd-largest Christian denomination with 251,974 adherents in 643 congregations. Mormons were among the state's earliest Anglo settlers. Other major Christian denominations include the Southern Baptist Convention, 138,516 adherents; Assemblies of God, 82,802; and the United Methodist Church, 53,232. (http://www.city-data.com/states/Arizona-Religions.html)
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