Amidst rugged mountains, deep canyon lakes, and the lush Sonoran desert arises the Arizona Tech Oasis… Arizona led the nation throughout the last decade in economic growth – adding a third more new tech jobs in the later part of the decade and, among other things, becoming the second largest region for semiconductor manufacturing employment. Tempe has the highest concentration of high technology firms in Arizona. It is also home to Arizona State University. Pictured above is Tempe and the ASU BioDesign Institute. The region houses advanced technology development facilities for many large companies including Intel, Motorola, Medtronic, ASML, Boeing, Honeywell, CMC, PADT, Special Devices, and MicroChip, just to name a few. Some of these firms make the ASU Research Park their home. Over one billion dollars is being invested in downtown Tempe in the next year.

The town was named Tempe (pronounced tem-PEE) in 1879. “Lord” Darrell Duppa, an Englishman who helped establish Phoenix, is credited with suggesting the name. The sight of the butte, the wide river, and the nearby expanse of green fields reminded him of the Vale of Tempe in ancient Greece. A vale is a valley with a stream or river running through it. The Vale of Tempe lies at the foot of Mount Olympus, home of the Greek Gods. The goddess-huntress Artemis resided in the Vale of Tempe, often joined by her twin brother (of Zeus and Leto) Apollo. It was a favorite locale of many of the Greek Gods in legend, due to its dramatic scenery. Apollo is the the God of Light (the Sun,) prophecy, medicine, and music, so the name seems especially well suited for use in the “Valley of the Sun”.

Phoenix, is a city also named by “Lord” Duppa. In ancient Greek and Egyptian mythology, the Phoenix is a mythical bird and associated with the Egyptian sun-god Re and the Greek Phoibos Apollo. Phoenix, in Greek mythology, was also a friend and tutor of the warrior Achilles, the Trojan War hero. To view event schedules and the many things to do in the whole Phoenix region visit AZCentral.Com. Tucson and Rocky Point (Sea of Cortez) are roughly 90-120 minutes driving time to the south. The Grand Canyon, Flagstaff, and Sedona, are about 2-4 hours driving time distances to the north. San Diego and the California Pacific Coast are only 5 hours west.

The Valley is well-known for being home to some of the best resorts and spas in the country. If you are visiting the area, and really wish to treat yourself, or your family, above is a list of the top ten resorts and spas that are all within about 20 minutes driving time of Tempe.