Yuma, << YOO muh >> (pop. 95,548; met. area pop. 203,881), is a commercial center in southwestern Arizona. It lies on the Colorado River, near where Arizona, California, and Mexico meet.
Yuma has a hot, dry climate that once made farming in the area difficult. But irrigation systems built since the early 1900’s have turned the desert that once surrounded the city into rich farmland. The area’s major crops include alfalfa, citrus fruits, cotton, lettuce, and wheat. A U.S. Marine Corps air station and the Yuma Proving Ground—a U.S. Army testing area—are near Yuma. Agriculture, government and military agencies, and tourism each provide many jobs for Yuma’s people.
Yuma was founded in 1854 at a popular spot for crossing the Colorado River. It was originally called Colorado City and, later, Arizona City. In 1873, it was renamed Yuma, after the Yuma Indians (also called the Quechan Indians). In the late 1800’s, Yuma served as a shipping center for goods entering Arizona on the Colorado River via the Gulf of California. From 1876 to 1909, it was the site of the Arizona Territorial Prison. The prison buildings still stand, and the grounds are now a state historical park.
Yuma is the seat of Yuma County. It has a council-manager form of government. For the monthly weather, see Arizona (Climate) .
