In the Beginning
The name of this growing metropolis comes from a Tohono O’odham Indian word “Stjukshon”, which is pronounced as CHUK-son and loosely translates to mean the “spring at the foot of black mountains”. These descendants of the ancient Hohokam peoples have lived in this valley near the Santa Cruz River as long ago as the first century A.D., according to local archeologists.
The beginning of the modern incarnation was founded by Irishman High O-Connor in 1775 and the establishment of the Presidio of San Augustin de Tucson. At that time this sleepy frontier town only had about 3,000 residents. Today Tucson is still affectionately called Old Pueblo for the adobe presidio that marked the town’s original borders and is still the heart of Downtown Tucson in the historic El Presidio neighborhood.
In June 1854, Tucson became a part of the United States with the Gadsden Purchase, but this colorful city continued to hold onto the Spanish, Mexican and Native American heritage that continue to make this one of the friendliest cities in the country.
Today, the 4,400-square-mile Tohono O’odham reservation is located just south of Tucson and a small population of Pasqua Yaqui Indians maintains a small community in the center of Tucson. Both populations add to the town’s cultural festivities with annual celebrations and permanent exhibits at several museums including the Arizona State Museum and the Arizona Historical Society Museum.
Tucson’s Hispanic heritage is also self-evident in the architecture and ethnic cuisine. The Mission San Xavier del Bac, built by Spanish missionaries in the 18th-century is still open for mass on the Tohono O’odham reservation, the Spanish-style architecture takes a prominent place in Tucson’s historic downtown neighborhoods and this thriving metropolis celebrates it’s Spanish and Mexican origins with some of the best Sonoran-style Mexican food in the country.
Today visitors come to savor Tucson’s unique blend of the past and the present, for not only can you enjoy the eclectic mix of cultural offerings, but you can also enjoy all of the other attractions this lady of the desert has to offer.
You can watch gunslingers in the street on the western set at Old Tucson Studios, explore the Sonoran Desert on foot or on horseback, watch a world-renowned PRCA rodeo, learn to dance south of the border-style, tee off on world-class greens, rockhound at the world’s largest gem and mineral show, shop for collectibles and fine art, relax in the natural settings of Tucson’s famous spas and enjoy more than 300 days of sunshine each year. It just doesn’t get any better than this.
Climate
With more than 350 days of sunshine a year and a higher elevation than Phoenix, Metropolitan Tucson has mild temperatures in the spring, fall and winter. The annual average high is 82 degrees Fahrenheit, with a low of 55 degrees. Cool winter nights typically drop into the 40s, but the days are usually warm and sunny in the 70s. Summer temperatures range with high in the 90s and lows in the 70s. July marks the beginning of the rainy season. Of the approximately 11 inches of annual rainfall, more than half falls from July through September.
Tucsonans rarely dress to impress. Instead these desert dwellers take a more relaxed approach, wearing casual clothing for nearly all occasions. Sunscreen is recommended year-round. Add hats and sunglasses for the steamy summer months. A lightweight sweater or coat will generally suffice in the cooler winter months.
Quick facts
� Population: With more than 800,000 residents, Metropolitan Tucson is the second largest city in Arizona.
� Time Zone: Mountain Standard Time year-round. Daylight Savings Time is not observed.
� Telephone Codes: 520 for Tucson and other parts of southern Arizona.
� Elevation: Approximately 2,400 feet.
� Area: Metropolitan Tucson is spread out over 500 square miles in the Santa Cruz River Valley, which is surrounded by five mountain ranges - the Rincon, Tucson, Santa Catalina, Santa Rita and Tortolita Mountains.
For more information, contact the Metropolitan Tucson Convention %26 Visitors Bureau at 110 S. Church Avenue, Suite 7199 in La Placita Village; toll-free, (800) 638-8350.
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