Phoenix is the capital city and the most heavily populated city in Arizona. Notably, it also happens to be the biggest capital city in the US in terms of population. Phoenicians, as they are commonly called, make their home along the banks of the Salt River and have done so since 1881. The climate of Phoenix can be described in one word: HOT. It takes many years to acclimatize to the desert temperatures. Phoenix has an approximate population of 1.5M , which means it's the fifth largest city in the United States. Phoenix is also a very large city from the perspective of land size. It covers over 500 sq. miles. The city is sub-divided into the following villages: North Gateway, North Mountain, Ahwatukee Foothills, Camelback East, Central City, Alhambra, Desert View, Deer Valley, Encanto, Estrella, Maryvale, Laveen, Paradise Valley and South Mountain