The city of Mesa, Arizona is a bedroom community of the bigger city of Phoenix. It is situated within Maricopa County and is the third-largest city within the state of Arizona following Phoenix and the city of Tucson. Mesa's population is around 439,000 as of 2010, giving it the state's highest concentration of suburban population. Mesa is located 32 km east of Phoenix. Mesa is bordered by Chandler and Gilbert on the south, the Salt River Prima-Maricopa Indian Community on the north, Tempe on the west and the Apache Junction on the east.
The remarkable Hohokam people settled the Mesa area about two thousand years ago. The Hohokam built extensive canal systems that were the biggest and most sophisticated in pre-contact North America. Some extended 26 km across the Sonoran Desert to deliver water for agricultural purposes. Some were as much as 27 m wide at their head gates. By A.D. 1100 a part of desert measuring about 450 km2 was capable of yielding crops thanks to irrigation. Many of these canals are still in use nowadays.
At present, Mesa is a successful industrial area, home to the Polytechnic campus of Arizona State University and companies like for example Boeing and AT&T. Other top businesses include Mesa Public Schools, Banner Health, Mesa Community College, Wal-Mart and the City of Mesa. Businesses and young professionals continue to be attracted to the thriving economy of Mesa.
Tourists go to the city of Mesa for the mild weather condition and cultural attractions. Mesa and region is called a golfer's paradise. There are more than 100 golf courses to choose from. The Rim and Desert Forest Golf Club are among the area's best regarded courses. Mesa's Arts and Cultural District consists of theaters, galleries and several arts organizations: the Mesa Arts Center, the Mesa Southwest Shakespeare Company and dance companies. The area's history is featured at the Mesa Southwest Museum, Commemorative Air Force Museum and Mesa Historical Society & Museum. The Mesa Amphitheatre is a major location featuring top musical performers. A three-hour drive north of Mesa is the Grand Canyon.