Arizona changed all signage on Interstate 19 to metric, but faced challenges when trying to backtrack due to businesses already using metric measurements. Arizona is still trying to revert to customary US units. Arizona is home to the saguaro cactus and the Grand Canyon, and has a diverse climate.
In 1975, US President Gerald Ford signed the Metric Conversion Act into law, stating that the metric system had become the “preferred” way to measure weights and measures for all commerce and trade in the country. Looking around today, though, it’s clear that the move fell short, as no one wanted to give up the customary US units they found so familiar. Well, almost none. Arizona has taken the bait, changing all signage on Interstate 19 – 63 miles (101 km) from Tucson to the Mexican border – to metric. After it became apparent that no one else was following suit, Arizona wanted to backtrack, but didn’t anticipate the head-on collision it faced with hotels, restaurants and other businesses that were already using metric measurements to direct drivers to their establishments. Not to mention the cost of replacing around 400 road signs. The efforts started, stopped, started again and stopped again. As of 2019, Arizona is still trying to get back to the way the rest of America does.
Life in the Grand Canyon State:
Arizona is the only place in the world where saguaro cactus grows; the plant can reach 40 feet (12.2 m) in height.
Arizona’s Grand Canyon is one of the designated “Seven Natural Wonders” of the world; it is the only one located in the United States.
Arizona’s climate is so diverse that the state can sometimes boast both the hottest and coldest temperatures in the United States during a single day.
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