Sedona is a city and community that straddles the county line between Coconino and Yavapai counties in the northern Verde Valley region of the U.S. state of Arizona. The population was 10,192 at the 2000 census. Founded in 1902, it has become a gathering place for mystics, who believe some of the earth's energy, as it flows around the rocks is concentrated into power spots some call vortexes. Believers in Vortex Healing believe the Sedona area is the home of several such vortexes. One of Sedona's main attractions is its stunning array of red sandstone formations, the Red Rocks of Sedona. The formations appear to glow in brilliant orange and red when illuminated by the rising or setting sun. The Red Rocks form a breathtaking backdrop for everything from spiritual pursuits to the myriad of incredible hiking and mountain biking trails. There are several events that are hosted annually in the Sedona area, including:
Politically, Uptown Sedona (the part in Coconino County) and West Sedona (the Yavapai County portion) form the City of Sedona. Originally founded in 1902, the town was incorporated into a city in January 1988. The Village of Oak Creek, despite its location seven miles to the south and outside Sedona city limits, is a significant part of the community. Sedona is named after Sedona Miller Schnebly (1877–1950), the wife of the city's first postmaster, who was celebrated for her hospitality, her industriousness, and her commitment to education for people of all ages. Sedona is located at 34°51′36″N, 111°47′21″W (34.859897, -111.789199),GR1 which is in the Upper Sonoran Desert of northern Arizona. At an elevation of 4,500 feet (1,372 m), Sedona has mild winters and summers that are often described as being, "not as hot as Phoenix." According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 48.2 km² (18.6 mi²), all land. The famous Red Rocks of Sedona are formed by a layer of rock known as the Schnebly Hill Formation. The Schnebly Hill Formation is a thick layer of red to orange-colored sandstone found only in the Sedona vicinity. The sandstone is thought to have been deposited during the Permian period. |