Until the past two decades, Chandler was primarily an agricultural and tree-lined farming community.  And, although a much smaller part of the economic base today than it was historically, you can still drive around and see dairy farms, corn fields, cotton fields and grazing sheep.  In recent years, Chandler has attracted many high tech businesses and has blossomed into a center for dynamic high tech industry - and is now nicknamed the “Oasis of the Silicon Desert.”  Home to over 10,000 Intel employees, Chander’s high tech manufacturing sector is one of the fastest growing in the western U.S. More than just a hub of technology and business in the Southeast Valley, Chandler offers outstanding recreation with world-class golf courses, breathtaking resorts, restaurants of every cuisine, premier shopping and plenty of exciting, local activities year round. For all of these reasons, Chandler is consistently one of the ten fastest growing cities in the U.S. (for cities with a population over 100,000), and has grown 155.5% from 1990 to 2005.  Today’s population is approximately 232,000 citizens, making Chandler the 5th largest city in Arizona. And, not only is Chandler one of the fastest growing cities in the U.S., it is also one of the most promising, thanks to a young, affluent and well-educated population. The city offers its residents and businesses a highly skilled and educated workforce, a pro-business atmosphere, and a high quality of life.