The magical red deserts of America, which we know especially from television as a red space, are one of the most interesting regions in the world. Utah and Arizona signify America’s wildlife and wilderness. These lands have provided settlements of Native American Indians since history. Today, it has become one of the areas that attract the world’s attention.
Arizona and Utah have the largest indigenous lands within the United States. These states are among the largest states in America. Within the borders of the state, there are areas of extraordinary fascination that must be seen.
If you travel in the USA, especially to the Southern states, you may come across these magnificent pieces of land. Moreover, as in all states of America, giant cities were established in these states. But these cities, stuck among the desert lands, protect the local world of America and live together with this world.
Arizona Territories
Arizona is located in the southwestern part of the United States. This large state is the 6th largest state in the USA. Within its borders, there are large known American desert areas as well as very large pine forests.
In fact, there are high plateau areas, skiing areas, mountainous areas and very deep canyons in the state of Arizona. In this respect, when it comes to the USA, the state of Arizona is among the regions that receive the most touristic visits. Although the capital of the state is Phoenix, it is possible to encounter many different historical and touristic buildings in this city.
It is possible to talk about many interesting attractions that you should see in Arizona and which may surprise you. For example, Flagstaff, an uninhabited forest region in the northern part of the state, is peaceful next to these desert lands.
But on the other hand, Utah, another state of the USA that we are interested in, is one of the Western states. One of the most interesting spots in the state of Arizona is Monument Valley, located on the border with the state of Utah, a valley engraved in people’s minds with its giant rock landscapes.
Monument Valley
This natural wonder valley continues to change shape with each passing year since it was discovered in the cinema in 1930. In this way, people continue to capture perfect photographs in the valley every day of the year.
One of the most important features of the valley is that it is famous thanks to Hollywood. Monument Valley, also known as the Valley of the Rocks, is located near Mexican Hat on the Arizona border. The sandstone hills in the valley, which can sometimes reach up to 300 meters high, add a characteristic visuality to the valley. This valley was used many times, especially in John Ford’s Western films shot in the 1930s.
Grand Canyon National Park
Among the largest natural areas in America, known through Hollywood movies, the Grand Canyon National Park is one of the most important areas that can be included in the list. Tours made in the canyon by horse or safari vehicles have attracted a lot of attention from tourists for years. Moreover, the canyon that reveals this magnificent beauty is considered among the “7 Natural Wonders of the World”.
The Grand Canyon is known as the oldest national park within the borders of the USA. The Colorado River, which flows right next to the canyon, supports the physical structure of the canyon by carrying water to the inner regions of the canyon.
The canyon, where many different colors come together, is a natural wonder admired especially by the 26th US President Theodore Roosevelt. President Roosevelt went on many hunting trips in the canyon.
The Colorado River, with its movement that started millions of years ago, caused the canyon to split in this way. In this way, a canyon with a length of 466 kilometers was formed. The width of the canyon sometimes reaches distances of 400 meters and sometimes 2.5 kilometers.
Moreover, the walls of the canyon provide a great depth with an altitude of 1600 meters. While billions of years of history of the world take place in this canyon, the Grand Canyon became known to the world when a European noticed it in 1540. However, Native Americans settled on the walls of the canyon hundreds of years ago.
Antelope Canyon
There is another canyon area in Arizona that is known especially from photographs and is very popular. This popular structure is also called Antelope Canyon and was formed as a result of erosion. There is sandstone in the rocky structure of the canyon, and this stone naturally has a red color.
However, you can notice that different colors are intertwined in all the photos you can see of the canyon. Because throughout history, the cracks created by water as it passes through the canyon receive light from different angles. With the reflection of light, orange, pink, yellow and purple images are obtained in varying color tones.
Sonoran Desert
Among the famous areas of Arizona known from postcards and movies, the Sonora Desert is a must-see area. Because the famous cactus trees of Western movies are located in this desert. The desert borders Tucson, one of the state’s largest cities.
Additionally, the city is on the UNESCO World Gastronomy City List. In this city, where there are many galleries and museums, the desert covers a large part of Mexico. Also, as an ecological zone, it is a very warm area. The Sonora Desert covers an area of 260 thousand square km.
Culture and Arts in Arizona
In the state of Arizona, we can talk about a building containing many works of art and culture, especially sculptures and paintings. The famous art gallery Exposures International Gallery of Fine Art is a must-see for a day filled with art. Additionally, the Heard Museum should definitely be seen as a museum that exhibits the life of indigenous tribes within the state borders and contains traces of their lives.
Although the capital Phoenix is a very large city within the state borders, it is also a complete industrial and tourism center. After visiting the museum mentioned above, you can also visit the Phoenix Art Museum within the borders of this city. You can also participate in a touristic event thanks to the Tovrea Castle tour, and then visit St. Petersburg, the largest religious building in the city. St. Mary’s Basilica can be seen.
Utah Territories
Within the territory of the state of Utah, the deserts and natural structures mentioned in our title are generally located in the Western Utah region. In this region there are endless deserts and very high mountains.
In addition, the Canyon Country region, which is largely covered by deserts and national parks, is one of the important regions of the state of Utah. This state, which borders Arizona as a western state, was named Utah, derived from the word “Ute”, called the mountain people.
Salt Lake City
The capital of the state of Utah is Salt Lake City, and right next to the city is the Great Salt Lake. While the Salt Lake Temple is located in the center of the city, the temple covers an area of 4 hectares. On the other hand, the city hosts one of the world’s most interesting religious groups, the Mormons. Especially when you visit the Church History Museum, you can see collections belonging to Mormons.
Mormons live a life that is very committed to their religious traditions and religious beliefs. Members of this religion, who are careful not to interrupt their worship, may try to travel the world for years to spread their religion. Mormons do not drink alcohol and are dedicated to fulfilling their religious duties.
The square known as Temple Square is located in the city as the meeting center of the Mormon religion and other religions in the state. Also, within the borders of Salt Lake, the Government Building, Utah State Capitol Building and Park City, which has a Texas atmosphere, should be seen.
Bryce Canyon National Park
Bryce Canyon National Park, one of America’s natural and magnificent structures within the borders of the state of Utah, should definitely be seen. Although the region is not really a canyon, it reveals a very interesting natural formation.
While the structures formed as a result of erosion, called fairy chimneys, are found in this region, there is a unique landscape with stones of different colors. Moreover, although it is much higher and larger than the Grand Canyon in Arizona, it has not become as popular as the Grand Canyon.
The canyon, which formed naturally over millions of years, is today considered a large amphitheater in its natural form. Both the Grand Canyon and Bryce Canyon receive plenty of rain, especially during the winter. Its appearance is very different in every season.
Arches National Park
Another national park is the park known as Kemerler Park, with its naturally formed stone structures. Arches National Park, known for its arches formed as a result of erosion, was formed hundreds of millions of years ago by the retreat of the ocean.
While there are over 2000 arches with this appearance in the park area, sometimes the arches with towers and balanced rocks create interesting images. Moreover, the constant sight of different colors in the park creates a magnificent view.
Zion National Park
Among the US national parks, Zion always stands out for its magnificent beauty. Located near Springfield in the Southern region of the state, this park is surrounded by spectacular rock formations and giant sandstone cliffs.
Although it is a canyon region, it is very popular for sightseeing or climbing, with colors changing from green to black and red depending on the seasons. Instead of watching this canyon from above, you can go down to the ground in Zion National Park and see its magnificence and watch the desert view yourself.
See you in the next post,
Anil UZUN