Phoenix, Arinzona's state capital and sixth - largest city in the United States, is the nerve center of the Southwest, one of the fastest growing regions in the country. The greater Phoenix metropolitan area, known as the "Valley of the Sun" for its more than 300 days of sunshine each year, offers numerous educational, social, cultural and recreational activities that enhances student life. Surrounded by mountains and the arid beauty of the Sonoran Desert. Phoenix provides unlimited opportunities for hiking, cycling, golf and virtually any other activity all year long.

Attractions range from dynamic museums, inclduding many featuring Native American arts and crafts to historical sites and theme parks. The Heard Museum, on the northern outskirts of downtown, houses thousands of Native American exhibits, demonstrations and audiovisual displays. In Papago Park, desert flora aficionados can stroll among the 145-acre Botanical Garden. The garden, park and the Phoenix Zoo are a short eight mile drive east of the capital building.

This complex contains a museum with 350 hands-on exhibits that encourage visitors to explore and experiment with computers, bubbles, weather, physics and biology. There's also a five-story giant screen theater with shows about the American West, NASA and other subjects. A planetarium has star shows every hour; in the evenings, you can relive junior high school at one of the planetarium's laser light shows that accompany the music of such AOR stalwarts as Pink Floyd and the Doors.

Southeast of Phoenix, Tempe is home to Arizona State University. Scottsdale, northeast of Tempe is known for its Old West shopping district and upscale resorts. The metropolitan area's greatest attraction is the land that surrounds it; a vast expanse of untamed desert and mountains encompass the valley.

Covering 25 square miles, South Mountain Park is the largest city park in the United States, providing trails for hiking, mountain biking and horse-back riding. Tubing down the Salt River is a good way to chill and numerous companies offer hot-air balloon flights over the valley.

Frank Lloyd Wright - America's most famous 20th century architect - lived, designed and taught in Scottsdale at Taliesin West. Set on 600 acres of desert, Taliesin West is a working example of Wright's organic architecture, which uses natural forms to shape most structures. Wright moved here in 1927 and didn't finish building for 30 years. Today, the natural rock, wood and canvas structures continue to be both living quarters and a teaching establishment. Taliesin West is about 10 miles northeast of Phoenix.