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Located in the Southwest United States, in Southern
Arizona, Tucson is one of the oldest, continually
inhabited areas in North America. Hohokam Indians
lived and farmed here for 4,000 years before Spanish
missionaries and soldiers arrived in the late 1600s.
These "newcomers" established the Presidio San
Agustín del Tucson and the Mission San Xavier del
Bac in the 1700s; the two most iconic and historic
structures in the region. "Old Pueblo," as the
adobe-walled Tucson Presidio became known, is a
nickname that is used for Tucson to this day. Tucson
officially was founded on August 20, 1776-an event
celebrated every year at Tucson's birthday party, La
Fiesta de San Agustín.
Though once part of Mexico, Tucson officially became
part of the United States in 1854. Soon after,
cattle ranchers, settlers, miners, and Apache
Indians began to clash, thus beginning the famously
documented Wild West era of 1860-1880. With the
Southern Pacific Railroad's arrival in 1880,
Tucson's multicultural roots grew as new residents
adopted customs of the Tohono O'odham Indians and
Mexicans living here. In 1877, the city was
incorporated, making Tucson the oldest incorporated
city in Arizona.
Tucson is now the second-largest city in Arizona
after Phoenix, the state capital; it is also the
county seat of Pima County, which includes the towns
of Marana, Oro Valley, Catalina, South Tucson, Vail,
Sahuarita, and Green Valley. The Metropolitan Tucson
population is more than 1 million; this includes
roughly 50,000 students and employees at the
University of Arizona, the first university in
Arizona, founded in 1885.
With an average 350 sunny days and warm dry air,
Tucson's climate is ideal for year-round outdoor
recreation. The city's legendary mild winters boast
average highs of 64-75 °F. Renowned winter events
include Tucson Gem, Mineral & Fossils Showcase, WGC-Accenture
Match Play Golf Championship, La Fiesta de los
Vaqueros-Tucson Rodeo, and the Festival of Books.
Other prominent annual events are El Tour de Tucson,
Tucson International Mariachi Conference, Southwest
Wings Birding Festival, and New Year's Competition
Powwow. Summer days can get quite warm and are great
for exploring Tucson's excellent spas, shopping,
museums, and art galleries. Summer's cooler early
mornings and late evenings invite outdoor dining and
activities like hiking, and horseback riding. Of
course, early and later tee times are available at
amazing prices. Tucson is set in a Sonoran Desert
valley surrounded by five mountain ranges. A trip
from the 2,389-foot valley floor to the 9,157-foot
Mt. Lemmon summit along the Catalina Highway-Sky
Island National Scenic Byway traverses seven of the
world's nine life zones-it's like driving from
Mexico to Canada. Tucson is bordered on all sides by
natural areas, including Coronado National Forest,
Catalina State Park, Ironwood Forest National
Monument, and Saguaro National Park-land of the
rare, giant saguaro cactus.
Tucson offers one-of-a-kind experiences for visitors
interested in outdoor adventure and nature, heritage
and culture, arts and attractions, golf, and
original Southwest-inspired dining. With lodging at
hotels, resorts, spas, guest ranches, and bed and
breakfasts available to please all ages and
preferences, Tucson is truly the Real. Natural.
Arizona.
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