The phrase serves as a specific geographic designator, pinpointing a metropolitan area within the state of Arizona. It combines a city name with a state name to create a location reference. For example, when discussing real estate prices, stating this location clarifies the subject area, as opposed to referring to other places with similar names.
Specifying a location in this manner provides essential context, enabling efficient communication and targeted information retrieval. Historically, its benefit lies in avoiding ambiguity, particularly as populations grow and place names are duplicated across different regions. This practice ensures clarity in official documents, news reports, and general conversations.