The Phoenix Valley is a hiker's paradise, surrounded by hills and mountain ranges. Popular trails include South Mountain Regional Park, the iconic Camelback Mountain, and Echo Canyon recreational area. All of these offer great views and trails for hikers of all levels, although during the hot summer months, it's best to go in the morning. The city has a long history, beginning with Jack Swilling, a Confederate veteran of the Civil War who searched the nearby mining town of Wickenburg.
In 1972, Phoenix became a member of the international sister cities movement with the creation of the Phoenix Sister Cities (PSC) organization. The Territorial Legislature passed the Phoenix Charter Bill, incorporating Phoenix and providing mayor-council government; Governor John C. At the end of the decade, Phoenix adopted the Phoenix Concept 2000 plan that divided the city into urban villages, each with its own village core. Phoenix's first newspaper was the weekly Salt River Valley Herald, established in 1878. The city is also known as the Valley of the Sun and is part of the Salt River Valley. It is home to popular events such as the Waste Management Phoenix Open and golf courses like Links Course at the Arizona Biltmore Golf Club. The Arizona Upland subdivision of the Sonoran Desert (of which Phoenix is part) has some of the most structurally diverse flora in the United States.
Visitors come to Phoenix in search of clean air and healing sunshine from this region. With its rich history and natural beauty, Phoenix is an amazing place to explore.
