What is the Four Corners Area?

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The Four Corners area is a region in the United States where four states meet at a precise point, which is marked with a brass plaque. It is located in the Southwest, where Colorado, New Mexico, Utah, and Arizona meet; in addition to marking the intersection of four states, the Four Corners area also meets up with boundaries from two Indian tribes, the Navajo and the Ute Mountain Indians, so technically there are six corners at Four Corners.

Tourists traveling in the region often like to stop by Four Corners, because it's an interesting spot to visit. The site hosts the Four Corners Monument, which features state flags and other artifacts of interest in addition to the brass plaque which marks the spot where the four states meet. The Four Corners Monument is administered by the Navajo Nation, and a variety of Native American crafts can be found for sale at the site, including some very fine examples of Navajo artistry.

The first marker at the site was put up in 1912, and it was refurbished in 1992 to celebrate the history of the site and its uniqueness in the United States. Because of the way the United States was surveyed and broken up, this is the only location where four states meet up in a single point, making it a rather remarkable spot. Several states have their own individual baby four corners sites, where four counties meet up.

The region around Four Corners is quite rural, and it can get extremely hot in the summer. Visitors are encouraged to wear lightweight clothing and sunscreen, and it's a good idea to bring water and snacks, as amenities are often limited. Bringing a camera is essential, as many people feel that the best thing about visiting Four Corners is bringing back pictures of the site.

People are encouraged to stand on the Four Corners plaque, and many people like to perform silly acrobatics so that they end up with a limb in each state. The surrounding area is also quite attractive, as it is located in the high desert, so when people tire of the novelty of being in four states at once, they can hike, picnic, and bike in the surrounding region to enjoy the natural beauty of the Southwest.

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