Mesa, Urban center in Maricopa County, Arizona.
Mesa is the third-largest city in Arizona and covers Sonoran Desert terrain with broad streets, residential areas, and business districts at 1,240 feet (378 meters) elevation. The city sits east of Phoenix and forms part of the larger metropolitan valley region.
Mormon pioneers founded the settlement in 1878 and developed a farming community that reused ancient Hohokam irrigation canals. The city grew rapidly during the 20th century with aircraft manufacturing and electronics companies.
The name comes from the Spanish word for tabletop and refers to the flat-topped rock formations in the surrounding area. Local residents gather at farmers markets along Main Street and meet in the parks near the red hills.
Valley Metro light rail links several neighborhoods and reaches downtown Phoenix as well. Most travel within the city works best by car because distances are often long.
The city became the first in the world to receive autism certification through training programs and adjustments in public spaces. Many stores and museums now offer special quiet hours or sensory-adjusted areas.
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