About Tucson

About Tucson

Tucson is a cosmopolitan city with a unique blend of Native American, Spanish, Mexican, African American, Asian and Anglo heritages. Ancient Hohokam Indians developed complex irrigation systems in the area for growing crops. The name "Tucson" is derived from the Indian word, "Chuk-son", meaning village of the dark spring at the foot of the mountains. The city was established in 1775 by Spanish soldiers as a walled presidio - the Presidio of San Augustin de Tucson. Tucson became a part of Mexico in 1821 when Mexico won its independence from Spain, and in 1854 became a part of the United States as part of the Gadsden Purchase. Following a turbulent territorial period racked by conflict with the Apache Indians, Arizona became the 48th state in 1912. Today, Tucson is one of the fastest growing urban areas in the U.S. The metropolitan area population of 804,200 people is expected to reach one million shortly after the turn of the century. With this anticipated growth, the community is retaining the rich charm which earned it the nickname, "The Old Pueblo".

Geographic Features

Tucson, offering so much contrast, is located in a desert valley, surrounded by mountain ranges. At an elevation of 2,584 feet, Tucson is cradled by the Santa Catalina Mountains rising 9,100 feet on the north, the Rincon Mountains to the east, the Tucson Mountains to the west and the Santa Rita and Sierrita Mountains to the south.

The desert contains much natural growth, unlike a Sahara-like desert. Green trees such as Palo Verde, Mesquite and Cottonwood grow in abundance. There are also many varieties of cacti in colorful bloom from April until late May. In Tucson's residential areas native desert landscaping and many other types of shrubs and flowers grow easily.

The city limits of Tucson cover an area of 156.04 square miles, while the entire metropolitan area spreads over 495 square miles.

Economic & Demographic Profile
Of the Tucson Metropolitan Area

The Tucson metropolitan area is home to over 884,000 people with a civilian labor force of roughly 404,000. The median age of a Tucson resident is 35.7 and the average earnings per worker is $32,300.

With more than 1,200 companies employing over 50,000 people in the high-tech industries of Southern Arizona, Tucson has become a leader in the new knowledge-based economy. The city of Tucson, Pima County, the State of Arizona and the private sector have all made commitments to create a growing, healthy economy with high-tech industries as its foundation.

Advanced technology companies like Raytheon Missile Systems, Texas Instruments, IBM, America Online, Universal Avionics, Slim Fast Foods, Sun quest Information Systems and Bombardier have already made Tucson a home for their businesses.

David Monthan Air Force Base

Davis-Monthan Air Force Base is a key air combat command installation located within the city limits of Tucson, Arizona with a colorful history and a long tradition of excellence in service to our country.

Davis-Monthan Air Force Base is hosted by the highly decorated and prestigious 355th wing/12th Air Force. DM is one of just a handful of military facilities worldwide who serves as a training ground for the Air Forces A-10 & OA10 pilot.

Other Federal agencies using the base include the Federal Aviation Administration, the U.S. Customs Service Air Branch, the U.S. Corps of Engineers, the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center and a detachment of the Naval Air Systems Command.

Approximately 6,000 military and 1,700 civilian employees work at Davis-Monthan and nearly 13,000 military retirees reside in the Tucson area.

Tucson's Weather:

Tucson is renowned for its superb weather. Warm and sunny throughout most of the year, the air is remarkably dry, with a low relative humidity. Though daytime summer temperatures are high, the temperature drops at sunset providing cool comfortable evenings.