The city of Tempe, Arizona is located within the county of Maricopa. It lies east of Phoenix in a part called East Valley. The cities of Phoenix and Guadalupe are on the west, Scottsdale toward the north, Chandler to the south, and Mesa toward the east. The United States Airways Group corporate headquarters is situated in Tempe, as is the Arizona State University's largest and oldest "Tempe" campus. Tempe was recorded as having a population of approximately 161,719 during the year 2010 by the Census Bureau. The name of the city originates from the Vale of Tempe in Greece.
It was the Hohokam who initially claimed the land where Tempe currently sits. They built canals to be able to help support their agriculture. Nevertheless, in the 15th century the Hohokam abandoned their settlements. Only a few people decided to remain.
In the year 1865 Fort McDowell was established just 25 miles northeast of what is now present day downtown Tempe. This allowed new towns to be built further down the Salt River. In order to help supply the fort, several US military service members together with Hispanic workers were employed to farm the land to grow animal weed and food. In a year, these new settlers set up small camps close to the river. These would turn into the first permanent communities in the Valley after Hohokam fell to ruin.
Tempe is dedicating to preserving the arts. The Community Center Complex, which is open to both adults and children, offers a wide assortment of classes which explore the visual and performing arts, as well as other subjects. Over 405,000 books are kept within the Tempe Public Library, a $12 million structure dedicated to preserving the cities rich cultural heritage. Other historic data could be found within the Tempe Historical Museum, which consists of several exhibits and collection on display. The Tempe Symphony Orchestra offers several free concerts each year which are performed at the Boyle Auditorium. Frank Lloyd Wright designed the Grady Gammage Memorial Auditorium within the Arizona State University, that could seat more than 3,000. The Spring and Fall Art Festivals are held by Downtown Tempe and are extremely popular with both residents and tourists. The city of Tempe is likewise home to some stand-up comedy clubs as well as professional theatre venues, such as the Tempe Center for the Arts.
US Airways and Insight Enterprises are two huge Fortune 500s that have their headquarters in Tempe City. Other important businesses in Tempe, include LifeLock, Limelight Networks, First Solar, the Salt River Project, Mobile Mini, Circle K and Fulton Homes. Arizona State University's largest campus is in Tempe. Until 2007, Tempe was the host of the Fiesta Bowl. Ever since then, the city of Tempe has hosted the Insight Bowl.