History: Mesa is the largest suburban city by population in the United States, with a population of 527,666. 2,000 years ago, the Hohokam people built the original canal system in Mesa helping to transform the area into an agricultural oasis. Incorporated in 1883, military personnel began moving in in the 1940's with the opening of Falcon Field and Williams Field. Industry, such as early aerospace companies, grew in the 1950s and 1960s. Less agriculture is now present as Mesa's suburban growth has continued.

Schools: Mesa Unified School District; Polytechnic campus of Arizona State University

Parks: Alta Mesa, Candlelight, Desert Trails Park, Meadowgreen

Shopping: Village Square at Dana Park, Downtown Mesa, Mesa Riverview

Major employers: Banner Health, The Boeing Company, Mesa Public Schools