According to legend, the phoenix is a mythical bird that fell to earth after 500 years only to rise from its own ashes. Its namesake, Phoenix, the nation's seventh largest city, seems to have risen from the desert sands and is soaring on the wings of a strong economy, a high quality of life and a future as bright as the Arizona sunshine. Get ready for fiery sunsets, challenging sports, remarkable dining, world class resorts and golf courses, a wealth of attractions and a distinctive southwest heritage. Phoenix is the thriving capital of Arizona. Countless suburbs, sprawling shopping centers and rambling ranch-style homes retain a Western look, while high-rise office buildings stand as gleaming symbols of Eastern influence. Spanish Colonial and Native American pueblo architecture add color and variety. Phoenix is the hub that binds together some important spokes nearby cities and communities, which play a large role in Arizona's impressive growth rate. Surrounded by sun-drenched desert sands to sparkling lakes and rivers, from fertile flat lands to craggy mountain peaks, the Valley of the Sun is an area of vast diversity. That kind of diversity is depicted as well in the reasons that an estimated 11,000 new residents flock to the state each month. Some come for the unique quality of life and panoramic views, others for the hospitable climate, and many more to be part of the thriving business environment. Phoenix is an agricultural, industrial and service center with much of the area growth attributed to a healthy economic outlook. Cotton as well as dates, olives, citrus and other subtropical fruits and vegetables are grown in the area. The dry climate and natural beauty has also attracted companies in the fields of electronics, high-tech research and development, and aerospace. Private industry has a dynamic presence in Phoenix, home to manufacturing giants like Honeywell, Motorola, Allied Signal and Intel. Since 1995, Maricopa County has had an unemployment rate well below national averages and bolstered by a diversified economy and an impressive list of resident high-tech manufacturing firms. Phoenix displays enthusiasm and pride in the many athletic and cultural activities it supports. The arts are pursued at excellent theaters, numerous museums and lectures at colleges and universities. The Civic Plaza downtown houses a state of-the-art convention center and a symphony hall. Greyhound races, horse races, golf tournaments and rodeos add to the city's entertainment scene. It is a business and tourism center with a wealth of restaurants and theaters, a city with more than 140 golf courses and the home of the NBA's Phoenix Suns, the NHL's Phoenix Coyotes, the NFL's Arizona Cardinals and the world champion Arizona Diamondbacks baseball team. Phoenix is home to the largest municipal park in the world. South Mountain Park covers more than 20,000 acres. The area has more than 1,700 acres of traditional park land. Popular with everyone from retirees to relocating corporations, the Valley of the Sun is in a building surge to assimilate the thousands of newcomers who will make their home in the area in the coming year. Demand is high but new homes in the region remain surprisingly affordable, a fact which continues to spur the current relocation boom. Once believed to be geographically limited by the mountains, homes can be found today on the mountainsides or strategically nestled along the foothills. And because of the extremely reasonable cost of living, the exciting high-tech industries, the positive business climate and the great community benefits found here, it's easy to understand why people are packing their bags and migrating to the desert. These characteristics combine to keep Phoenix among one of the country's premier relocation destinations.