Mesa is a city in Maricopa County, Arizona and part of the Phoenix-Mesa-Scottsdale Metropolitan Area. It is the third-largest city in Arizona, after Phoenix and Tucson.

Mesa is one of the United States' fastest-growing cities, and currently ranks as the 38th-largest. The 2006 US Census estimated the city's population to be 447,541. It has a larger population than better-known United States cities (minus their suburban areas) such as Cleveland, St. Louis, Oakland, Miami, and Pittsburgh. Mesa is the most populous suburban city in the United States, and second most populous suburban city in North America, after Mississauga, Ontario. When Mesa reaches build-out the city is expected to have a population of about 630,000.

Mesa was founded in January 1878 by Mormon (Latter-day Saint or LDS) pioneers and its population is still roughly one-tenth Mormon. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints operates one of its oldest temples in Mesa (the Mesa Arizona Temple), and the city is a hub for Latter-day Saints residing in the Phoenix Metro area.

Almost all of the city of Mesa is served by public schools operated by Mesa Public Schools; however, a small southern portion is served by the Gilbert Public Schools, and a small western portion is served by the Tempe Elementary School District and the Tempe Union High School District.

Mesa is also home to Mesa Community College, the largest of the Maricopa Community Colleges, which enrolls over 22,000 full and part time students. In addition, the Polytechnic campus of Arizona State University lies in southeast Mesa. This satellite campus enrolls over 6,000 undergraduate and graduate students in scientific and engineering fields

Cultural Attractions

• HoHoKam Park Cactus League spring training home of the Chicago Cubs.
• Mesa Arts Center
• Mesa Amphitheatre
• Mesa Arizona Temple, a large LDS temple, where an elaborate Easter Pageant is held every spring.

Museums

• Arizona Museum for Youth
• Mo Commemorative Air Force Arizona Wing Aircraft Museum – B–17 Sentimental Journey
• Mesa Historical Society and Museum
• Mesa Southwest Museum
• Sirrine House

Public Libraries

• Main Library
• Dobson Ranch Branch
• Red Mountain Ranch

North Scottsdale is currently the most actively developed area of Scottsdale, and is one of the most expansive and expensive areas in Scottsdale. The city's borders rapidly expand to the east and west in this area, containing the McDowell Mountain range. Homes in North Scottsdale see median values of $667,450.

Amenenites

Superstition Springs Center is a shopping mall located in Mesa, Arizona, featuring an outdoor ampitheatre and a fountain that converts a stage featuring free concerts on Saturday evenings from May to August. In February 2002, the mall underwent remodeling to include exterior paint, interior paint, flooring, and lighting to create a new refined atmosophere with color, texture and regional imagery. It is owned by Westcor. The anchors at the mall are Dillard's, JCPenney, Macy's, Mervyn's and Sears. The mall also features a multi-screen cinema and several smaller stores.

Fiesta Mall is also a shopping mall located in Mesa and owned by Westcor. The anchors at the mall are Dillard's, JCPenney, Macy's,and Sears. Nearby are a multi-screen theater, several shopping centers, banks, restaurants, and retail outlets.

Mesa Riverview is a new outdoor center in the northwestern corner of the city at Loop 202 and Dobson Road, consisting of 1.3 million square feet of retail. The anchors are Bass Pro Shops, Cinemark Theatre, Wal Mart, Home Depot, Bed Bath and Beyond, Petco, Office Max, Sports Authority, Jo Ann Superstore, and numerous restaurants and specialty stores.

Links

• City of Mesa information – www.cityofmesa.org
• Mesa Convention and Visitors Bureau – www.visitmesa.com