State and City Background

History: Tucson has been continuously settled for over 12,000 years. It celebrates a diversity of cultures, architecture, and peoples. Yet, it is one of the "Mega-Trend" cities of the 21st Century: the Optics Valley, premier health services center for the Southwest, the astronomy center of the world, home of a premier research institution - University of Arizona, and a tourism destination.

Tucson, too SAHN or TOO sahn, is one of the oldest towns in the United States. Tucson was orginally an Indian village called Stook-zone, meaning water at the foot of black mountain. Hugo O'Conor established the Tucson Presidio in 1775. August 20th, 1775 is considered Tucson's birthday. Spanish settlers arrived in the area in 1776. Tucson officially became part of the United States with the Gadsden Purchase of 1854. Tucson served as capital of the Arizona Territory from 1867 to 1877.

Tucson boasts the best of both worlds...the progress and innovation of a metropolitan community and the friendly, caring atmosphere of a small town. Tucson's rich cultural heritage centers around a unique blend of Native American, Spanish, Mexican and Anglo-American influences. Blessed with the natural beauty of the Sonoran Desert and an unsurpassed climate of 360 sunny days a year, Tucsonans embrace a rare lifestyle and are committed to preserving that quality of life.

Location: Lies along the Santa Cruz River in a flat plateau of the Sonoran Desert that is rimmed by the Santa Catalina, Tucson, Rincon, and Santa Rita Mountains. Situated about 155 miles southeast of Phoenix.

Elevation: 2,410 feet (735 m)

Climate: The highest temperature ever recorded was 117 degrees Fahrenheit on June 26, 1990. The annual average is 82 degrees Fahrenheit/28 degrees Celsius for the high temperature, and 55 degrees Fahrenheit/13 degrees Celsius for the low temperature. Tucson's mild climate is legendary.

Industry: Aircraft and missile manufacturing, electronics research and manfucturing, optical engineering.

Language: Bilingual community with a large Spanish-speaking minority.

Population: Roughly 800,000 people call Tucson home.

State Bird: Cactus Wren It measures 7 to 8 inches in length, and its back is brown with white spots, and its throat is lighter colored with black spots. Its bill is curved down and there's a white line over each eye. Cactus wrens eat insectes, seeds, and fruit. They often build their nests inside a cactus to protect them from predators.	State Flower: Saguaro Bloom This pure white flower blooms on the tips of the saguaro cactus during May and June.	State Nickname: Grand Canyon State
State Gem: Turquoise It's a blue-green, waxy-surfaced stone used for centuries in Southwest Indian Jewelry. It can be found throughout the Southwest and is composed of hydrous oxide of aluminum and copper.	State Tree: Palo Verde Its name means "green stick." It blooms a brilliant yellow-gold in April or May.	State Fossil: Petrified Wood
State Mammal: Ringtail	State Reptile: Arizona Ridge-nosed Rattlesnake	State Fish: Apache Trout
State Amphibian: Arizona Treefrog