| City of Tucson | |
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| Nickname: The Old Pueblo | |
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| Coordinates: | |
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| Country | United States |
| State | Arizona |
| County | Pima |
| Government | |
| - Mayor | Bob Walkup (R) |
| Area | |
| - City | 195. A geographic coordinate system enables every location on the Earth to be specified in three coordinates using mainly a spherical coordinate system. The Santa Catalina Mountains are located north of Tucson, Arizona, United States. A nickname is a Name of an entity or thing that is not its Proper name. Pima County is a county in the south central region of the US The State of Arizona ( is a state located in the southwestern region of the United States. Wikipedia talkFeatured lists for an explanation of this and other inclusion tags below -->This list of countries, arranged alphabetically The United States of America —commonly referred to as the The political units and divisions of the United States include The 50 states (four of these being officially styled as Commonwealths) which are typically The State of Arizona ( is a state located in the southwestern region of the United States. This is a list of counties in Arizona. There are 15 counties in the U Pima County is a county in the south central region of the US A mayor (from the Latin māior, meaning "greater" is a modern title used in many countries for the highest ranking officer in a municipal government Robert E Walkup (born November 14, 1936, in Ames Iowa) is the current Mayor of Tucson Arizona. Area is a Quantity expressing the two- Dimensional size of a defined part of a Surface, typically a region bounded by a closed Curve. A city is an Urban area with a large Population and a particular Administrative, Legal, or Historical status 1 sq mi (505. The square mile is an imperial and US unit of Area equal the area of a square of one statute mile. 3 km²) |
| - Land | 194. To help compare different Orders of magnitude and geographical regions we list here areas between 100 km² and 1000 km² 7 sq mi (504. 2 km²) |
| - Water | 0. 4 sq mi (1. 1 km²) |
| Elevation | 2,389 ft (728 m) |
| Population (2006)[1] | |
| - City | 518,956 |
| - Density | 2,647. The elevation of a Geographic location is its height above a fixed reference point often the mean sea level. A foot (plural feet or foot; symbol or abbreviation ft or sometimes &prime – the prime symbol) is a non-SI unit The metre or meter is a unit of Length. It is the basic unit of Length in the Metric system and in the International A city is an Urban area with a large Population and a particular Administrative, Legal, or Historical status Population density (in agriculture standing stock and Standing crop) is a measurement of Population per unit area or unit volume 8/sq mi (1,022. 5/km²) |
| - Urban | 720,425 |
| - Metro | 946,362 |
| - Demonym | Tucsonan |
| Time zone | MST (UTC-7) |
| Area code(s) | 520 |
| FIPS code | 04-77000 |
| GNIS feature ID | 0043534[2] |
| 1 Urban = 2000 Census | |
| Website: http://www.tucsonaz.gov | |
Tucson (pronounced /ˈtuːsɒn/) is the seat of Pima County, Arizona, United States, located 118 miles (188 km) southeast of Phoenix and 60 miles (98 km) north of the U.S.-Mexico border. A metropolitan area is a large population center consisting of a large Metropolis and its adjacent zone of influence or of more than one closely adjoining neighboring central A demonym or gentilic is a word that denotes the members of a People or the inhabitants of a place The Mountain Time Zone of North America keeps time by subtracting seven hours from Coordinated Universal Time ( UTC-7) during the shortest days of autumn UTC−7 can be observed in Mountain Standard Time Zone Pacific Daylight Time Zone Canada A telephone numbering plan is a plan for allocating Telephone number ranges to countries regions areas and exchanges and to non-fixed telephone networks ImageArea_code_520png|right|Map of Arizona area codes in blue (and border states with 520 in redpoly 0 0 73 58 14 59 14 100 0 90 Area code 775 poly 73 58 68 92 64 92 58 Federal Information Processing Standards ( FIPS) are publicly announced standards developed by the United States Federal government for use by all non-military The Geographic Names Information System ( GNIS) is a database that contains name and locative information about more than two million physical and cultural features located throughout Pima County is a county in the south central region of the US The State of Arizona ( is a state located in the southwestern region of the United States. The United States of America —commonly referred to as the The kilometre ( American spelling: kilometer) symbol km is a unit of Length in the Metric system, equal to one thousand Phoenix (ˈfiːˌnɪks O'odham Skikik, Yavapai Wasinka, Western Apache Fiinigis, Navajo Hoozdo, As of July 1, 2006, a Census Bureau estimate puts the city's population at 518,956,[1] with a metropolitan area population at 946,362. "July 1st" redirects here For the Ayumi Hamasaki song see H (song. Year 2006 ( MMVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. The United States Census Bureau (officially Bureau of the Census as defined in Title) is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census A metropolitan area is a large population center consisting of a large Metropolis and its adjacent zone of influence or of more than one closely adjoining neighboring central In 2005, Tucson ranked as the 32nd largest city and 52nd largest metropolitan area in the U.S. It is the largest city in southern Arizona and the second largest in the state. The See also Metropolitan Statistical Area, Core Based Statistical Area Table of United States Core Based Statistical AreasThe United States Census Bureau has defined The United States of America —commonly referred to as the The State of Arizona ( is a state located in the southwestern region of the United States. Tucson is also the site of the University of Arizona. The University of Arizona (also referred to as UA, U of A, or Arizona) is a Land-grant and space-grant public institution
Major incorporated suburbs of Tucson include Oro Valley and Marana northwest of the city, and South Tucson and Sahuarita south of the city. Oro Valley, incorporated in 1974 is a Suburban town located 6 miles north of Tucson, Arizona, USA in Pima County. Marana is a town in Pima County Arizona, located northwest of Tucson, with a small portion in Pinal County. South Tucson is a city in Pima County, Arizona, United States and an Enclave of the much larger city of Tucson. Sahuarita (Saw wah ree ta History Sahuarita was founded in 1911 Hohokam (200 to 1450 The first known human inhabitants of the Sahuarita region Communities in the vicinity of Tucson (some within or overlapping the city limits) include Casas Adobes, Catalina, Catalina Foothills, Flowing Wells, Green Valley, Tanque Verde, New Pascua, and Vail. Casas Adobes is a Census-designated place (CDP in Pima County, Arizona, United States. Catalina is a Census-designated place (CDP in Pima County, Arizona, United States. Catalina Foothills is a Census-designated place (CDP located north of Tucson in Pima County, Arizona, United States. Flowing Wells is a Census-designated place (CDP in Pima County, Arizona, United States. Green Valley is a Census-designated place (CDP in Pima County, Arizona, United States. Tanque Verde is a Suburban Census-designated place (CDP in Pima County, Arizona, United States, northeast of Tucson. Tucson (ˈtuːsɒn is the seat of Pima County Arizona, United States, located 118 miles (188 km) southeast Vail is a Census-designated place (CDP in Pima County, Arizona, United States.
The English name Tucson derives from the Spanish name of the city, Tucsón [tukˈson], which was borrowed from the O'odham name Cuk Ṣon (pronounced [ʧʊk ʂɔn], roughly "chook shown"), meaning "at the base of the black [hill]", a reference to an adjacent volcanic mountain. O'odham (/ɔʔɔdham/ is an Uto-Aztecan language of southern Arizona and northern Sonora where the Tohono O'odham and Pima reside Tucson is sometimes referred to as "The Old Pueblo. "
History
Tucson was probably first visited by Paleo-Indians, known to have been in southern Arizona by about 12,000 years ago. Paleo-Indians or Paleo-Americans were the ancient peoples of the Americas who were present at the end of the last Ice Age. Recent archaeological excavations near the Santa Cruz River have located a village site dating from 4,000 years ago. The Santa Cruz River is a river in Southern Arizona, United States, and northern Sonora, Mexico. The floodplain of the Santa Cruz River was extensively farmed during the Early Agricultural period, circa 1200 BC to AD 150. These people constructed irrigation canals and grew corn, beans, and other crops while gathering wild plants and hunting animals. The Early Ceramic period occupation of Tucson saw the first extensive use of pottery vessels for cooking and storage. The groups designated by archaeologists as the Hohokam lived in the area from AD 600-1450 and are known for their red-on-brown pottery. Hohokam (ho-ho-KAHM
Jesuit missionary Eusebio Francisco Kino visited the Santa Cruz River valley in 1692, and founded the Mission San Xavier del Bac about 7 miles (12 km) upstream from the site of the settlement of Tucson in 1700. The Society of Jesus ( Latin: Societas Iesu, SJ and SI or SJ, SI) is a Catholic religious order Eusebio Francisco Kino SJ ( August 10, 1644 &ndash March 15, 1711) was a Catholic priest who became famous in what Mission San Xavier del Bac is a historic Spanish Catholic [[mission (Christian|mission]] located about 10 miles (16 km south of downtown Tucson Arizona The Spanish established a presidio (fort) on August 20, 1775 and the town came to be called "Tucson. Events 636 - Battle of Yarmouk: Arab forces led by Khalid ibn al-Walid take control of Syria and Palestine Year 1775 ( MDCCLXXV) was a Common year starting on Sunday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a " Tucson became a part of Mexico after Mexico gained independence from Spain in 1821. The United Mexican States ( or commonly Mexico (ˈmɛksɪkoʊ () is a federal constitutional Republic in North America. Spain () or the Kingdom of Spain (Reino de España is a country located mostly in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula. Following the Gadsden purchase in 1853, Tucson became a part of the United States of America, although the American military did not formally take over control of the community until March 1856. The Gadsden Purchase (known as Venta de La Mesilla or Treaty of La Mesilla in Mexico is a region of what is today southern Arizona and New Mexico The United States of America —commonly referred to as the From August 1861, until mid-1862, Tucson was the capital of the Confederate Arizona Territory. The Confederate States of America (also called the Confederacy, the Confederate States, and CSA) formed as the government set up from 1861 The Arizona Territory of the Confederate States of America was an Organized territory of the Confederacy that existed between 1861 and 1865 Until 1863, Tucson and all of Arizona was part of New Mexico Territory. The Territory of New Mexico became an Organized territory of the United States on September 9, 1850, and it existed until New Mexico From 1867 to 1879, Tucson was the capital of Arizona Territory. The Territory of Arizona was an Organized territory of the United States that existed between 1863 and 1912 The University of Arizona, located in Tucson, was founded in 1885. The University of Arizona (also referred to as UA, U of A, or Arizona) is a Land-grant and space-grant public institution
By 1900, 7,531 people lived in the city. At about this time, the US Veterans Administration had begun construction on the present Veterans Hospital. The United States Department of Veterans Affairs ( VA) is a government-run military Veteran benefit system with Cabinet -level status Many veterans who had been gassed in World War I and were in need of respiratory therapy began coming to Tucson after the war, due to the clean dry air. Chemical warfare involves using the toxic properties of Chemical substances to kill injure or incapacitate an enemy. World War I (abbreviated WWI; also known as the First World War, the Great War, and the War to End All Respiratory Therapy is categorized as an Allied health profession in the United States and Canada The population increased gradually to 13,913 in 1910, 20,292 in 1920, and 36,818 in 1940. In 2006 the population of Pima County, in which Tucson is located, passed one million while the City of Tucson's population was 535,000. Pima County is a county in the south central region of the US
During the territorial and early statehood periods, Tucson was Arizona's largest city and commercial area, whereas Phoenix was the seat of state government and agriculture. The establishment of Tucson Municipal Airport increased its prominence. By the 1920s-30s, Phoenix outgrew Tucson and has continued to expand. Tucson has still been growing but at a slower pace.
Geography and climate
Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the Tucson has a total area of 195. The United States Census Bureau (officially Bureau of the Census as defined in Title) is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census 1 square miles (505. The square mile is an imperial and US unit of Area equal the area of a square of one statute mile. 3 km²), of which, 194. Square Kilometre ( US spelling square kilometer) symbol km2, is a decimal multiple of the SI unit of 7 square miles (504. 2 km²) of it is land and 0. 4 square miles (1. 1 km²) of it (0. 22%) is water.
The city's elevation is 2,389 ft (728 m) above sea level. Tucson is situated on an alluvial plain in the Sonoran desert, surrounded by five minor ranges of mountains: the Santa Catalina Mountains and the Tortolita Mountains to the north, the Santa Rita Mountains to the south, the Rincon Mountains to the east, and the Tucson Mountains to the west. An alluvial plain is a relatively flat Landform created by the deposition of sediment over a long period of time by one or more Rivers coming from highland regions The Sonoran Desert (sometimes called the Gila Desert after the Gila River or the Low Desert in opposition to the higher Mojave Desert) is The Santa Catalina Mountains are located north of Tucson, Arizona, United States. The Tortolita Mountains are a minor mountain range located north of Tucson, Arizona, USA. The Santa Rita Mountains, located about 65 km (40 mi southeast of Tucson Arizona, extend 42 km (26 mi from northwest to southeast The Rincon Mountains are a significant mountain range east of Tucson, Arizona, in the United States. The Tucson Mountains are a minor mountain range west of Tucson, Arizona. The high point of the Santa Catalina Mountains is 9,157-foot Mount Lemmon, the southernmost ski destination in the continental U. Mount Lemmon is in the Santa Catalina Mountains located in the Coronado National Forest S. , while the Tucson Mountains include 4,687-foot Wasson Peak.
The city is located on the Santa Cruz River, fomerly a perennial river but now a dry river bed for much of the year (called a "wash" locally) that floods during significant seasonal rains. The Santa Cruz River is a river in Southern Arizona, United States, and northern Sonora, Mexico. (The Santa Cruz becomes a subterranean stream part of the year although it may appear dry. )
Tucson is located along Interstate 10, which runs through Phoenix toward Santa Monica, California in the northwest, and through El Paso, Texas, and New Orleans, Louisiana, toward Jacksonville, Florida in the east. In the US state of Arizona, Interstate 10 is the major east-west Interstate Highway in the Southern United States, runs east from California Phoenix (ˈfiːˌnɪks O'odham Skikik, Yavapai Wasinka, Western Apache Fiinigis, Navajo Hoozdo, New Orleans (nʲuːˈɔrliənz nʲuːˈɔrlənz French: La Nouvelle-Orléans) is a major United States port city and the largest city in Louisiana I-19, runs south from Tucson toward Nogales and the U.S.-Mexico border. Interstate 19 (I-19 is an intrastate Interstate highway located entirely within the state of Arizona. Nogales is a city in Santa Cruz County, Arizona, United States. I-19 is the only Interstate highway that uses "kilometer posts" instead of "mileposts", although the speed limits are marked in miles per hour instead of kilometers per hour. The kilometre ( American spelling: kilometer) symbol km is a unit of Length in the Metric system, equal to one thousand
Environmental sustainability
Tucson is considered to be in a natural location for the development of a solar energy community, but the city has not yet undertaken this as a serious project. Perhaps the biggest sustainability problem is potable water supply. Household water use is the principal drain on the water supply, with agriculture a close second. In 1997, the 35 golf courses in the area consumed about 10% of the municipal water supply, and since then, 16 of the remaining 25 or so courses use reclaimed water.
As a result, residences consume the vast majority of municipal water. Like golf courses, agricultural lands are turning toward reclaimed water. Mining and other industrial water uses combined accounted for about a 15% of water use in 1997. [3] Although Tucsonans find lawns and swimming pools less acceptable than their neighbors in Phoenix, massive drawing down of groundwater resources over the last 100 years has occurred, visible as ground subsidence in some residential areas. In Geology, Engineering, and Surveying, subsidence is the motion of a surface (usually the Earth's surface as it shifts downward relative to
Tucson's reliance on the Central Arizona Project Aqueduct, which passes more than 300 miles (480 km) across the desert from the Colorado River, casts doubt over "sustainability" claims even at current population levels. The Central Arizona Project (CAP is a 336 mi (541 km diversion canal in Arizona in the United States The Colorado River (' Aha Kwahwat in Mojave) is a River in the southwestern United States and northwestern Mexico, approximately This points to the need for further efforts at re-use and recycling, prompted by Pima County and the city in numerous outreach campaigns.
Water
More than 100 years ago, the Santa Cruz River flowed nearly year-round through Tucson. This supply of water has slowly disappeared, causing Tucson to seek alternative sources.
From 1803 until 1887, Tucson residents purchased water for a penny a gallon from vendors who transported it in bags draped over burros' backs. After that, water was sold by the bucket or barrel and delivered door-to-door in wagons.
In 1881, water was pumped from a well on the banks of the Santa Cruz River and flowed by gravity through pipes into the distribution system.
Tucson currently draws water from two main sources: Central Arizona Project (CAP) water and groundwater. The Central Arizona Project (CAP is a 336 mi (541 km diversion canal in Arizona in the United States Groundwater is Water located beneath the Ground surface in Soil pore spaces and in the Fractures of lithologic formations In 1992, Tucson Water delivered CAP water to some customers that was referred to as being unacceptable due to discoloration, bad odor and flavor, as well as problems it caused some customers' plumbing and appliances. Tucson's city water currently consists of CAP water mixed with groundwater.
In an effort to conserve water, Tucson is recharging groundwater supplies by running part of its share of CAP water into various open portions of local rivers to seep into their aquifer[1]. Additional study is scheduled to determine the amount of water that is lost through evaporation from the open areas, especially during the summer.
Cityscape
Similar to many other Western U.S. cities, Tucson was developed on a grid plan, with the city center at Stone Avenue and Broadway Boulevard. The Western United States &mdashcommonly referred to as the American West or simply the West &mdashtraditionally refers to the region comprising the westernmost The grid plan or gridiron plan is a type of City plan in which Streets run at right angles to each other forming a grid. While this intersection was initially near the geographic center of Tucson, that center has shifted as the city has expanded far to the east. An expansive city covering substantial area, Tucson has many distinct neighborhoods.
Earliest neighborhoods
Tucson's early neighborhoods (some of which are covered by the Tucson Convention Center) include El Presidio; Barrio Histórico; Armory Park, directly south of downtown; Barrio Anita, named for an early settler; Barrio Tiburón (in the present Fourth Avenue arts district), designated in territorial times as a "red light" district; El Jardín, named for an early recreational site, Levin's Gardens; and El Hoyo, named for a lake that was part of the gardens. Tucson Convention Center ( TCC) previously named the Tucson Community Center, is a large multi-purpose Convention center located in Downtown Up until the building of the Tucson Convention Center (or TCC), El Hoyo (Spanish for pit or hole) referred to this part of the city, which was inhabited mainly by Mexican-American citizens and immigrants from Mexico. Other historical neighborhoods include the University neighborhood west of the University of Arizona, Iron Horse and Pie Allen neighborhoods just east of downtown, Sam Hughes neighborhood (named after an instigator/hero of the Camp Grant Massacre), located east of the University of Arizona, and Menlo Park, situated adjacent to Sentinel Peak. ( April 30, 1871) The Camp Grant massacre was a violent attack on Pinal and Aravaipa Apaches surrendered to the United States Army at Camp Sentinel Peak, or more commonly known as A Mountain is a prominent ridge in the Tucson Mountains west of Tucson, Arizona.
Downtown
Downtown Tucson is undergoing a revitalization effort by city planners and the business community. The primary project is Rio Nuevo, a large retail and community center that has been in planning for more than ten years. Downtown is generally classified as north of 12th Street, east of I-10, and southwest of Toole Avenue and the Union Pacific (formerly Southern Pacific) railroad tracks, site of the historic train depot and "Locomotive #1673", built in 1900. In the US state of Arizona, Interstate 10 is the major east-west Interstate Highway in the Southern United States, runs east from California Downtown is divided into the Presidio District, Convention District, and the Congress Street Arts and Entertainment District.
Tucson's tallest building, the 23-story UniSource Energy Tower (also called the Bank Building) is situated downtown and was completed in 1986. The UniSource Energy Tower is the tallest building in Tucson Arizona and 13th tallest in Arizona. The proposed Century Tower for downtown would surpass the Bank Building at 27 stories. Other high-rise buildings downtown include Bank of America Plaza, and the Pioneer (completed in 1914). Banc of America Securities Bank of America () is the largest bank by asset and second largest commercial Bank by deposits and Market capitalization in United
Attractions downtown include the historic Hotel Congress designed in 1919, the Art Deco Fox Theatre designed in 1929, the Rialto Theatre opened in 1920, and St. Augustine Cathedral completed in 1896. The Hotel Congress was built in 1919 and is located in downtown Tucson Arizona. Art Deco was a popular international design movement from 1925 until 1939 affecting the decorative arts such as Architecture, Interior design, and Industrial [4] Included on the National Register of Historic Places is the old Pima County Courthouse, designed by Roy W. The National Register of Historic Places (NRHP is the United States government's official list of districts sites buildings structures and objects deemed worthy of Place in 1928. [5]
Central or Midtown
As one of the oldest parts of town, Central Tucson is anchored by the Broadway Village shopping center designed by local architect Josias Joesler at the intersection of Broadway Boulevard and Country Club Road. The 4th Avenue Shopping District between downtown and the University and the Lost Barrio just East of downtown also have many unique and popular stores. Local retail business in Central Tucson is densely concentrated along Fourth Avenue and the Main Gate Square on University Boulevard near the UA campus. The El Con Mall, now close to vacant, is also located in the eastern part of midtown. El Con Mall is an enclosed Shopping mall in the city of Tucson Arizona, United States.
The University of Arizona, chartered in 1885, is located in midtown and includes Arizona Stadium and McKale Center. The University of Arizona (also referred to as UA, U of A, or Arizona) is a Land-grant and space-grant public institution Arizona Stadium is an outdoor football Stadium on the campus of the University of Arizona in Tucson Arizona. McKale Memorial Center is an athletic Arena located on the campus of the University of Arizona in Tucson Arizona. Historic Tucson High School (designed in 1924), the Arizona Inn (built in 1930), and the Tucson Botanic Gardens are also located in Central Tucson.
Tucson's largest park, Reid Park is located in midtown and includes Reid Park Zoo and Hi Corbett Field. The Reid Park Zoo, founded in 1975 is a city-owned and operated non-profit Zoo in Tucson Arizona. Hi Corbett Field is a Baseball field located in Tucson Arizona. Speedway Boulevard, a major east-west arterial road in central Tucson, was named the "ugliest street in America" by Life Magazine in the early 1970s, quoting Tucson Mayor James Corbett. James N Corbett Jr (died June 30 2007) was an Arizona politician Despite this, Speedway Boulevard was awarded "Street of the Year" by Arizona Highways in the late 1990s. For a list of highways in Arizona see List of Arizona State Routes Arizona Highways ( is a magazine that contains
South side and South Tucson
The Southside contains the city of South Tucson, with an area of approximately 1¼ square miles (3¼ square kilometers), which is completely surrounded by the city of Tucson. South Tucson is a city in Pima County, Arizona, United States and an Enclave of the much larger city of Tucson. The South side is generally considered to be the area of approximately 25 square miles (65 square kilometers) north of Los Reales Road, south of 22nd Street, east of I-19, west of Davis Monthan Air Force Base and southwest of Aviation Parkway. Interstate 19 (I-19 is an intrastate Interstate highway located entirely within the state of Arizona. Much of Tucson's Mexican-American population live on the south side and South 12th Avenue is considered as the cultural locus of the working class Mexican-American population. The Tucson International Airport and Tucson Electric Park are also located here. Tucson International Airport is a joint civil-military public Airport located six miles (10 km south of the Central business district of Tucson, Tucson Electric Park (TEP is a stadium in Tucson Arizona. It was home to the Tucson Sidewinders.
West Tucson
West Tucson is a combination of urban and suburban development. South San Jose (cropjpg||thumb|A suburban development in San Jose California. Generally defined as the area west of I-10, West Tucson encompasses the banks of the Santa Cruz River and the foothills of the Tucson Mountains. In the US state of Arizona, Interstate 10 is the major east-west Interstate Highway in the Southern United States, runs east from California The Santa Cruz River is a river in Southern Arizona, United States, and northern Sonora, Mexico. The Tucson Mountains are a minor mountain range west of Tucson, Arizona. Attractions in West Tucson include Saguaro National Park West, Sentinel Peak, the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum, Old Tucson Studios, and the Marriott Starr Pass Resort & Spa. Saguaro National Park, located in the state of Arizona, is part of the United States National park system Sentinel Peak, or more commonly known as A Mountain is a prominent ridge in the Tucson Mountains west of Tucson, Arizona. The Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum is one of the most visited attractions in Tucson Arizona. Old Tucson Studios is a Movie studio and Theme park just west of Tucson Arizona, adjacent to the Tucson Mountains and close to the western portion JW Marriott Hotels is an up-scale brand of hotels operated by Marriott International, headquartered in suburban Maryland.
On Sentinel Peak (also known as "'A' Mountain"), just west of downtown, there is a giant "A" in honor of the University of Arizona. The University of Arizona (also referred to as UA, U of A, or Arizona) is a Land-grant and space-grant public institution Starting in about 1910, a yearly tradition developed for freshmen to whitewash the "A", which was visible for miles. However, at the beginning of the Iraq War, anti-war activists painted it black. The Iraq War, also known as the Second Gulf War, the Occupation of Iraq, or the War in Iraq, is an ongoing Military campaign This was followed by a paint scuffle where the "A" was painted various colors until the city council intervened. It is now red, white and blue except when it is white or another color decided by a biennial election. Because of the three-color paint scheme often used, the shape of the A can be vague and indistinguishable from the rest of the peak. The top of Sentinel Peak, which is accessible by road, offers an outstanding scenic view of the city looking eastward. A parking lot located near the summit of Sentinel Peak was formerly a popular place to watch sunsets, view the city lights at night, or engage in necking. This is no longer possible as a recent ordinance has forced the closing of Sentinel Peak at 8 p. m. Every evening, Tucson police set up a barricade blocking the entrance while they enforce the evacuation of all visitors off the mountain.
North Tucson
North Tucson includes the urban neighborhoods of Amphitheater and Flowing Wells. Flowing Wells is a Census-designated place (CDP in Pima County, Arizona, United States. Usually considered the area north of Fort Lowell Road, north Tucson includes some of Tucson's primary commercial zones (Tucson Mall and the Oracle Road Corridor). Commerce is a division of trade or production which deals with the exchange of goods and services from producer to final consumer Tucson Mall is the largest Shopping mall in Tucson, Arizona. Tucson Mall features over 200 stores and two levels of indoor shopping Many of the city's most upscale boutiques, restaurants, and art galleries are also located on the north side including St. A boutique, from the French word for "shop" is a small Shopping outlet especially one that specialises in elite and fashionable items such as Clothing A restaurant is a retail establishment that serves prepared Food to Customers. An art gallery or art museum is a space for the exhibition of art, usually Visual art. Philip's Plaza. The Plaza is directly adjacent to the historic St. Philip's in the Hills Episcopal Church (built in 1936).
Also on the north side is the suburban community of Catalina Foothills, located in the foothills of the Santa Catalina Mountains just north of the city limits. Catalina Foothills is a Census-designated place (CDP located north of Tucson in Pima County, Arizona, United States. The Santa Catalina Mountains are located north of Tucson, Arizona, United States. This community includes among the area's most expensive homes, commonly multi-million dollar estates. The Foothills area is generally defined as north of River Road, east of Oracle Road, and west of Sabino Creek. Sabino Canyon is a significant canyon located in the Santa Catalina Mountains and the Coronado National Forest north of Tucson, Arizona, Some of the Tucson area's major resorts are located in the Catalina Foothills, including the Hacienda Del Sol, Westin La Paloma Resort, Loews Ventana Canyon Resort and Canyon Ranch Resort. Loews Hotels is a luxury hotel brand based in New York City and a wholly owned subsidiary of Loews Corporation. La Encantada, an upscale outdoor shopping mall, is also in the Foothills. A shopping mall or shopping centre is a building or set of buildings that contain Retail units with interconnecting Walkways enabling visitors
The foothills area is home to Tohono Chul Park (a botanical garden) near the intersection of Oracle Road and Ina. Also the DeGrazia Gallery of the Sun near the intersection of Swan Road and Skyline Drive. Built by artist Ted DeGrazia starting in 1951, the 10 acre property is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and features an eclectic chapel, an art gallery and a free museum. Ettore "Ted" DeGrazia ( June 14 1909 &ndash September 17 1982) was an American Impressionist, western-pop The National Register of Historic Places (NRHP is the United States government's official list of districts sites buildings structures and objects deemed worthy of
East Tucson
East Tucson is relatively new compared to other parts of the city, developed between the 1950s and the 1970s, such as Desert Palms Park. Desert Palms Park ( DPP) is a Neighborhood in Tucson, Arizona. It is generally classified as the area of the city east of Swan Road, with above-average real estate values relative to the rest of the city. The area includes urban and suburban development near the Rincon Mountains. The Rincon Mountains are a significant mountain range east of Tucson, Arizona, in the United States. East Tucson includes Saguaro National Park East. Saguaro National Park, located in the state of Arizona, is part of the United States National park system Tucson's "Restaurant Row" is also located on the east side, along with a significant corporate and financial presence. A corporation is a separate legal entity usually used to conduct business The field of finance refers to the concepts of Time, Money and Risk and how they are interrelated Tucson's largest office building is 5151 East Broadway in east Tucson, completed in 1975. Park Place, a recently renovated shopping center, is also located there. Park Place is a large indoor Shopping mall located on the East Side of Tucson Arizona, USA.
Near the intersection of Craycroft and Ft. Lowell Road are the remnants of the Historic Fort Lowell. This area has become one of Tucson’s iconic neighborhoods. The Fort abandoned at the end of the 1800s was rediscovered by a trio of artist in the 1930s. The Bolsius family purchased and renovated surviving adobe buildings of the fort - transforming them into spectacular artistic southwestern architectural examples. Their woodwork, plaster treatment and sense of proportion drawn on their Dutch heritage and New Mexican experience. Other artists and academics throughout the middle of the 20th century renovated, built and lived in the area. This rural pocket in the middle of the city is listed on the National register of Historic Places. Each year in February the neighborhood celebrates its history in the City Landmark it owns and restored the San Pedro Chapel.
Situated between the Santa Catalina Mountains and the Rincon Mountains near Redington Pass northeast of the city limits is the community of Tanque Verde. The Santa Catalina Mountains are located north of Tucson, Arizona, United States. The Rincon Mountains are a significant mountain range east of Tucson, Arizona, in the United States. Redington Pass (el 1310 m/4300 ft is a high Mountain pass between the Santa Catalina Mountains and the Rincons in Pima County Arizona Tanque Verde is a Suburban Census-designated place (CDP in Pima County, Arizona, United States, northeast of Tucson. The Arizona National Golf Club, Forty-Niners Country Club, and the historic Tanque Verde Guest Ranch are also in northeast Tucson.
Southeast Tucson
Southeast Tucson continues to experience rapid residential development. The area includes the Davis-Monthan Air Force Base. Davis-Monthan Air Force Base is a United States Air Force base adjacent to Tucson, Arizona. The area is considered to be south of Golf Links Road. The suburban community of Rita Ranch houses many of the military families from Davis-Monthan Air Force Base. Davis-Monthan Air Force Base is a United States Air Force base adjacent to Tucson, Arizona.
Northwest Tucson
The expansive area northwest of the city limits is diverse, ranging from the rural communities of Catalina and parts of the town of Marana, to the affluent town of Oro Valley in the western foothills of the Santa Catalina Mountains, and residential areas in the northeastern foothills of the Tucson Mountains. Rural areas can be large and isolated (also referred to as "the country" and/or "the countryside over the course of time Catalina is a Census-designated place (CDP in Pima County, Arizona, United States. Marana is a town in Pima County Arizona, located northwest of Tucson, with a small portion in Pinal County. Wealth derives from the old English word "weal" which means "well-being Oro Valley, incorporated in 1974 is a Suburban town located 6 miles north of Tucson, Arizona, USA in Pima County. The Santa Catalina Mountains are located north of Tucson, Arizona, United States. The Tucson Mountains are a minor mountain range west of Tucson, Arizona. The community of Casas Adobes is also on the Northwest Side, with the distinction of being Tucson's first suburb, established in the late 1940s. Casas Adobes is a Census-designated place (CDP in Pima County, Arizona, United States. Casas Adobes is centered around the historic Casas Adobes Plaza (built in 1948). The Foothills Mall is also located on the northwest side. Foothills Mall is an indoor regional Shopping mall located on the Northwest Side of Tucson Arizona, in the community of Casas Adobes. Continental Ranch(Marana), Dove Mountain(Marana), and Rancho Vistoso(Oro Valley) are all masterplanned communities located in the northwest, where thousands of residents live.
Many of the Tucson area's golf courses and resorts are located in this area, including the Hilton El Conquistador Golf & Tennis Resort in Oro Valley, the Omni Tucson National Resort & Spa, and Westward Look Resort. UH Hilton Hoteljpg|thumbnail|right|The Hilton University of Houston in Houston Texas, located on the campus of the University of Houston, contains the Hilton College of Omni Hotels is a privately owned upscale Hotel company based in Irving Texas. Catalina State Park and Tortolita Mountain Park are also here. Catalina State Park is located adjacent to the Coronado National Forest in the western slopes of the Santa Catalina Mountains north of Tucson, Arizona The Tortolita Mountains are a minor mountain range located north of Tucson, Arizona, USA.
Climate
Tucson has two major seasons, summer and winter; plus three minor seasons: fall, spring, and the monsoon. A monsoon is a seasonal prevailing wind which lasts for several months
Summer is characterized by low humidity, clear skies, and daytime high temperatures that exceed 100 degrees Fahrenheit. Summer is one of the four Temperate Seasons Summer marks the warmest time of year with the longest days Fahrenheit is a temperature scale named after Daniel Gabriel Fahrenheit (1686–1736 a German Physicist who proposed it in 1724 The average overnight temperature ranges between 68 °F (20 °C) and 85 °F (29 °C).
The monsoon can begin any time from mid-June to late July, with an average start date around July 3. A monsoon is a seasonal prevailing wind which lasts for several months Events 324 - Battle of Adrianople Constantine I defeats Licinius, who flees to Byzantium. It typically continues through August and sometimes into September. [6] During the monsoon, the humidity is much higher than the rest of the year. Relative humidity is a measurement of the amount of Water vapor that exists in a gaseous mixture of air and water It begins with clouds building up from the south in the early afternoon followed by intense thunderstorms and rainfall, which can cause flash floods. A flash flood is a rapid flooding of geomorphic lowlying areas - washes rivers and streams The evening sky at this time of year is often pierced with dramatic lightning strikes. Large areas of the city do not have storm sewers, so monsoon rains flood the main thoroughfares, usually for no longer than a few hours. A storm drain, storm sewer ( US) stormwater drain ( Australia and New Zealand) or surface water system ( UK) A few underpasses in Tucson have "feet of water" scales painted on their supports to discourage fording by automobiles during a rainstorm. [7] Arizona traffic code Title 28-910, the so-called "Stupid Motorist Law," was instituted in 1995 to discourage people from entering flooded roadways. If the road is flooded and a barricade is in place, motorists who drive around the barricade can be charged up to $2000 for costs involved in rescuing them.
Fall lasts from late October to November or December. Autumn (also known as fall in North American English) is one of the four Temperate Seasons Autumn marks the transition from Summer It is much like summer, and similarly dry, with days above 100 degrees typical into early October. Average daytime highs of 84 °F (28 °C), with overnight lows of 55 °F (13 °C), constitute typical fall weather.
Winters in Tucson are mild relative to other parts of the United States. Winter is one of the four Seasons of Temperate zones Calculated astronomically, it begins on the Solstice and ends on the Equinox The United States of America —commonly referred to as the Daytime highs in the winter range between 64 °F and 75 °F (18−23 °C) , with overnight lows between 30 °F and 44 °F (-1 –7 °C). Although rare, snow has been known to fall in Tucson, usually a light dusting that melts within a day.
Spring begins in late February or March, and is characterized by rising temperatures and several weeks of vivid wildflower blooms. Spring is one of the four Temperate Seasons Spring marks the transition from Winter into Summer. Daytime average highs range from 72 °F (23 °C) in March to 88 °F (31 °C) in May with average overnight lows in March of 45 °F (7 °C) and in May of 59 °F (15 °C).
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Extreme High °F (°C) |
87 (30) |
92 (33) |
99 (37) |
104 (40) |
107 (42) |
117 (47) |
114 (45) |
112 (44) |
107 (41) |
102 (38) |
90 (32) |
84 (29) |
(47) |
| Avg High °F (°C) |
64 (17) |
68 (20) |
73 (22) |
81 (27) |
90 (32) |
100 (37) |
99 (37) |
97 (36) |
94 (34) |
84 (28) |
73 (22) |
65 (18) |
(27) |
| Avg Low °F (°C) |
39 (3) |
41 (5) |
44 (6) |
51 (10) |
58 (14) |
68 (20) |
74 (23) |
72 (22) |
67 (19) |
57 (13) |
45 (7) |
39 (3) |
(12) |
| Extreme Low °F (°C) |
16 (-8) |
20 (-6) |
20 (-6) |
33 (--) |
38 (3) |
47 (8) |
59 (15) |
61 (16) |
44 (6) |
26 (-3) |
24 (-4) |
16 (-8) |
(-8) |
| Avg Rainfall in. | 1. 0 | 0. 7 | 0. 7 | 0. 3 | 0. 2 | 0. 2 | 2. 3 | 2. 3 | 1. 4 | 0. 9 | 0. 6 | 1. 0 |
|
| Source: Weatherbase | |||||||||||||
Demographics
| City of Tucson Population by year[8] |
|
| 1860 | 915 |
| 1870 | 3,215 |
| 1880 | 7,007 |
| 1890 | 5,150 |
| 1900 | 7,531 |
| 1910 | 13,193 |
| 1920 | 20,292 |
| 1930 | 32,506 |
| 1940 | 35,752 |
| 1950 | 45,454 |
| 1960 | 212,892 |
| 1970 | 262,933 |
| 1980 | 330,537 |
| 1990 | 405,371 |
| 2000 | 486,699 |
| 2006 | 518,956 |
As of the census[9] of 2000, there were 486,699 people, 192,891 households, and 112,455 families residing in the city. A census is the procedure of acquiring information about every member of a given population The population density was 965. Population density (in agriculture standing stock and Standing crop) is a measurement of Population per unit area or unit volume 3/sq mi (2,500. 1/km²). There were 209,609 housing units at an average density of 415. 7/sq mi (1,076. 7/km²). The racial makeup of the city is 70. 15% white, 4. 33% black or African-American, 2. 27% Native American, 2. 46% Asian, 0. 16% Pacific Islander, 16. 85% from other races, and 3. 79% from two or more races. 35. 72% of the population were Hispanic of any race. The Native American inhabitants in the area include primarily Tohono O'odham (formerly called the Papago), living in the city, on the nearby San Xavier reservation, and in the Tohono O'odham Nation, who may be descendants of the prehistoric inhabitants, as well as 6,800 Yaqui (the Yoeme), living in the city (largely in New Pascua, Old Pascua, and the Barrio Libre neighborhoods), and in the Yoeme community in the town of Marana. The Tohono O'odham, also known as the Papago, are a group of aboriginal Americans who reside primarily in the Sonoran Desert of the southwest The Tohono O'odham, also known as the Papago, are a group of aboriginal Americans who reside primarily in the Sonoran Desert of the southwest The "Yoeme" or Yaqui are a Native American tribe who originally lived in the valley of the Río Yaqui in the northern Mexican state of Marana is a town in Pima County Arizona, located northwest of Tucson, with a small portion in Pinal County.
There were 192,891 households out of which 29. 0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 39. 7% were married couples living together, 13. NOTICE TO WOULD-BE ROMEOS ************** 8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 41. 7% were non-families. 32. 3% of all households were made up of individuals and 9. 3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2. 42 and the average family size was 3. 12.
In the inner-city, the population has 24. 6% under the age of 18, 13. 8% from 18 to 24, 30. 5% from 25 to 44, 19. 2% from 45 to 64, and 11. 9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 32 years. For every 100 females there were 96. 0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93. 3 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $30,981, and the median income for a family was $37,344. Males had a median income of $28,548 versus $23,086 for females. The per capita income for the city was $16,322. Per capita income means how much each individual receives in monetary terms of the yearly income generated in the country About 13. 7% of families and 18. 4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 23. The poverty threshold, or poverty line, is the minimum level of Income deemed necessary to achieve an adequate Standard of living in a given country 6% of those under age 18 and 11. 0% of those age 65 or over. Although the median income is relatively low and the city has a higher-than-average poverty rate, note that these statistics include a contingent of college students and others at the University of Arizona, who tend to have low median incomes despite having a medium quality of life. The word student is etymologically derived through Middle English from the Latin second-type conjugation Verb "studēre" The University of Arizona (also referred to as UA, U of A, or Arizona) is a Land-grant and space-grant public institution Quality of life is the degree of well-being felt by an individual or group of people
Politics
Pima County supported John Kerry 53% to 47% in the 2004 U.S. Presidential Election. Pima County is a county in the south central region of the US } John Forbes Kerry (born December 11 1943 is an American Politician who is currently serving his fourth term as the junior United States Senator The United States presidential election of 2004 was held on Tuesday November 2, 2004, to elect the President of the United States. [2] As a general rule, Tucson and Pima County vote Democratic, as opposed to the overwhelming GOP support in the state's largest city, Phoenix. This led to the alleged gerrymandering of Tucson into two Federal Congressional districts, one that contains a vast majority of Democratic voters and the other that contains a bare majority of Republicans. Gerrymandering is a form of redistribution in which electoral district or Constituency boundaries are manipulated for electoral advantage
Economy
Much of Tucson's economic development has been centered around the development of the University of Arizona, which is currently the second largest employer in the city. The University of Arizona (also referred to as UA, U of A, or Arizona) is a Land-grant and space-grant public institution Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, located on the southeastern edge of the city, also provides many jobs for Tucson residents. Davis-Monthan Air Force Base is a United States Air Force base adjacent to Tucson, Arizona. Its presence, as well as the presence of a US Army Intelligence Center (Fort Huachuca, the largest employer in the region in nearby Sierra Vista), has led to the development of a significant number of high-tech industries, including government contractors, in the area. Today, there are more than 1,200 businesses employing over 50,000 people in the high-tech industries of Southern Arizona.
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, Intuit Inc., Universal Avionics, Misys Healthcare Systems, Sanofi-Aventis, Ventana Medical Systems, Inc. Raytheon Company ( is a major American Defense contractor and industrial corporation with core Manufacturing concentrations in Defense systems Texas Instruments ( better known in the electronics industry (and popularly as TI, is an American company based in Dallas, Texas, USA International Business Machines Corporation abbreviated IBM and nicknamed "Big Blue", is a multinational Computer Technology Intuit Inc ( is an American Software company that develops financial and Tax preparation software and related services for Small Universal Avionics Systems Corporation is an international company headquartered in Tucson, Arizona. Sanofi-Aventis () headquartered in Paris, France, is a multinational pharmaceutical company , and Bombardier all have a significant presence in Tucson. Bombardier Inc (bɔ̃baʁdje is a Canadian conglomerate, founded by Joseph-Armand Bombardier as L'Auto-Neige Bombardier Limitée in 1942 Roughly 150 Tucson companies are in the optics industry, earning Tucson the nickname "Optics Valley". [3]
Tourism is another major industry in Tucson, which has many resorts, hotels, and attractions. A significant economic force is middle-class and upper-class Sonorans, who travel from Mexico to Tucson to purchase goods that are not readily available in their country. Sonora is one of the 31 federal states of Mexico and is located in the northwest of the country The United Mexican States ( or commonly Mexico (ˈmɛksɪkoʊ () is a federal constitutional Republic in North America. In addition to vacationers, a significant number of winter residents, or "snowbirds", are attracted by Tucson's mild winters and contribute to the local economy. This article is about migratory people called Snowbirds for alternate meanings see Snowbird. Snowbirds often purchase second homes in Tucson and nearby areas, contributing significantly to the property tax base. Other snowbirds and "perpetual travelers" can be seen in large numbers arriving in autumn in large RVs towing small cars. The term perpetual traveler ( PT, permanent tourist or prior taxpayer) refers to both a lifestyle and a philosophy In North American English the term recreational vehicle, and its acronym RV, are generally used to refer to an enclosed piece of equipment dually used as both
Arts and culture
Annual cultural events and fairs
Tucson Gem and Mineral Show
The Tucson Gem & Mineral Show is held every year in February for two weeks. The Tucson Gem Mineral & Fossil Showcase is one of the premier Gem and Mineral shows in the world It is one of the largest gem and mineral shows in the world, and features many of the finest mineral specimens. A gemstone or gem, also called a precious or semi-precious stone, is a piece of attractive Mineral, which &mdash when cut and polished &mdash A mineral is a naturally occurring substance formed through geological processes that has a characteristic chemical composition a highly ordered atomic structure and specific There is no single location for display of minerals, but rather dozens of locations spread across town. The show has an estimated attendance of more than 50,000 people from over twenty countries. Attendees frequently include the general public, experts, beginning collectors, museum employees, dealers, retailers, and researchers. Many museums and universities, including the Smithsonian Institution and the Sorbonne, have displayed materials at the show. The Smithsonian Institution (smɪθsoʊnɪən is an educational and research institute and associated Museum complex administered and funded by the Government of The historic University of Paris (Université de Paris first appeared in the second half of the 13th century
Tucson Folk Festival
For the past 21 years the Tucson Folk Festival has taken place the first Saturday and Sunday of May in downtown Tucson's El Presidio Park. In addition to nationally known headline acts each evening, the Festival highlights over 100 local and regional musicians on five stages in one of the largest free festivals in the country. All stages are within easy walking distance. Organized by the Tucson Kitchen Musicians Association, volunteers make this festival possible. Arizona's only community radio station KXCI 91. KXCI is a " Community radio " radio station that serves Tucson Arizona. 3-FM, is a major partner, broadcasting from the Plaza Stage throughout the weekend. In addition, there are numerous workshops, events for children, sing-alongs, and a popular singer/songwriter contest. Musicians typically play 30-minute sets, supported by professional audio staff volunteers. A variety of food and crafts are available at the festival, as well as local micro-brews. All proceeds from sales go to fund future festivals.
Fourth Avenue Street Fair
There are two Fourth Avenue Street Fairs, in December and March, staged between 9th Street and University Boulevard, that feature arts and crafts booths, food vendors and street performers. The fairs began in 1970 when Fourth Avenue, which at the time had half a dozen thrift shops, several New Age bookshops and the Food Conspiracy Co-Op, was a gathering place for hippies, and a few merchants put tables in front of their stores to attract customers before the holidays. These days the street fair has grown into a large corporate event, with most tables owned by outside merchants. It hosts mostly traveling craftsmen selling various arts such as pottery, paintings, wood working, metal decorations, candles, and many others.
The Tucson Rodeo (Fiesta de los Vaqueros)
Tucson's Fiesta de los Vaqueros.
Another popular event held in February, which is early spring in Tucson, is the Fiesta de los Vaqueros, or rodeo week. Rodeo (ˈroʊdioʊ or /roʊˈdeɪoʊ/ is a sport which arose out of the working practices of cattle herding in Spain, Mexico, and later the United States While at its heart the Fiesta is a sporting event, it includes what is billed as "the world's largest non-mechanized parade"[10]. The Rodeo Parade is a popular event as most schools give two rodeo days off instead of Presidents Day. The exception to this is Presidio High, which doesn't get either. Western wear is seen throughout the city as corporate dress codes are cast aside during the Fiesta. The Fiesta de los Vaqueros marks the beginning of the rodeo season in the United States. Fiesta de los Vaqueros, the premier event of the rodeo year, is held at the beginning of the rodeo season. Go to websites tucsonrodeo. com tucsonrodeoparade. com
Tucson Meet Yourself
Every October for the past 30 years, Tucson Meet Yourself has presented the faces of Tucson's many ethnic groups. For one weekend, dancing, singing, artwork, and food from more than 30 different ethnicities are featured in the downtown area. All performers are from Tucson and the surrounding area, in keeping with the idea of "meeting yourself. "
All Souls Procession Weekend
One of the largest festivals celebrated is the All Souls Procession (www. AllSoulsProcession. org), held since 1990 on the first Sunday in November. Modeled on the Mexican holiday Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead), it combines elements of African, Anglo, Celtic, and Latin American culture. The At sundown, thousands of people garbed in myriad costumes, mostly of the deceased, gather near the corner of Fourth Avenue and University Boulevard: Epic Cafe. In 2005, the Tucson Police Department estimated that 7,500 people participated in this event. The non-profit festal culture organization Many Mouths One Stomach (www. ManyMouths. org) organizes this event to acknowledge, mourn and celebrate deceased loved ones, and the "grand mystery" of death. Starting in 2006, the All Souls Procession became a 4-day long series of events. On Thursday evening the Fine Art Photography Exhibition opens, as well as the Evolving Community Altar. Friday evening is the MMOS Fundraiser Dance of the Dead. Saturday afternoon and evening is the Procession of Little Angels, and the Personal Altars Vigil. Sunday evening is the All Souls Procession, which snakes through the historic Fourth Avenue and downtown areas, and leads to the culmination of the entire festival: The Grand Finale.
Museums, art collections, and other attractions
The Arizona Historical Society, founded as the Pioneer Historical Society by early settlers, has a collection of artifacts reflecting the city's history--many focusing on the era before statehood was attained in 1912--as well as a fine collection of original documents in its library, including many interviews with early residents. Arizona Historical Society (AHS is a Non-profit organization whose goal is to collect preserve interpret and disseminate the history of Arizona, the West
The Fremont House is an original adobe house in the Tucson Community Center that was saved while one of Tucson's earliest barrios was razed as urban renewal. Originally named the Fremont House after Gov. John C. Fremont, who rented it for his daughter, it is now known as the Sosa-Carrillo-Fremont House to more accurately reflect its Latin heritage
Fort Lowell Museum is located on the grounds of a military fort, established in 1873 during the "Indian Wars" period and abandoned in 1891. John Charles Frémont ( January 21, 1813 July 13, 1890) was an American military officer, explorer, the
The Tucson Museum of Art was established as part of an art school. It contains nearly 6,000 objects concentrating on the art of the Americas and its influences. The museum also operates several historic buildings in the neighborhood, including La Casa Cordova, the J. Knox Corbett House, the Edward Nye Fish House and the Stevens/Duffield House.
The University of Arizona Art Museum includes works by Franz Kline, Jackson Pollock and Mark Rothko as part of the Edward J. The University of Arizona (also referred to as UA, U of A, or Arizona) is a Land-grant and space-grant public institution Franz Kline ( May 23, 1910 – May 13, 1962) was an American painter mainly associated with the Abstract Expressionist Paul Jackson Pollock (January 28 1912 &ndash August 11 1956 was an influential American painter and a major force in the abstract expressionist movement Mark Rothko, born Marcus Rothkowitz ( Latvian: Marks Rotko; September 25, 1903 &ndash February 25, 1970 Gallagher Memorial Collection, a tribute to a young man who was killed in a boating accident. The museum also includes the Samuel H. Kress Collection of European works from the 14th to 19th centuries and the C. Leonard Pfeiffer Collection of American paintings.
The UA campus also features the Center for Creative Photography, a leading museum with many works by major artists such as Ansel Adams and Edward Weston. The University of Arizona (also referred to as UA, U of A, or Arizona) is a Land-grant and space-grant public institution The Center for Creative Photography (CCP, established in 1975 and located on the University of Arizona (Tucson campus is a research facility and archival repository containing Ansel Easton Adams (February 20 1902 – April 22 1984 was a legendary American Photographer and Environmentalist, best known for his Black-and-white Edward Henry Weston ( March 24 1886 &ndash January 1 1958) was an American photographer, and co-founder
The Mission San Xavier del Bac is a historic Spanish mission, located 10 miles (16 km) south of the city. Mission San Xavier del Bac is a historic Spanish Catholic [[mission (Christian|mission]] located about 10 miles (16 km south of downtown Tucson Arizona Spain () or the Kingdom of Spain (Reino de España is a country located mostly in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula. It was founded by Father Kino in the 1660s as one mission in a chain of missions, many of which are located south of the border. Eusebio Francisco Kino SJ ( August 10, 1644 &ndash March 15, 1711) was a Catholic priest who became famous in what The present building dates from the late 1700s. The mission, which still actively functions, is located in the Tohono O'odham nation reservation southwest of Tucson off of I-19.
The Historic DeGrazia Gallery in the Sun is an iconic Tucson landmark in the foothills of the Santa Catalina Mountains. Built by the famous artist Ettore DeGrazia the property features an expansive adobe Museum of DeGrazia's work, an adobe chapel called the Mission in the Sun that featuring stunning murals, gardens, and the artist home and grave site.
Old Tucson Studios, built as a set for the movie Arizona, is a movie studio and theme park for classic Westerns. Old Tucson Studios is a Movie studio and Theme park just west of Tucson Arizona, adjacent to the Tucson Mountains and close to the western portion Arizona is a 1940 Western film starring Jean Arthur, William Holden and Warren William. A movie studio (aka film studio) is in the established sense of the term a company that distributes films. Theme park is the generic term for a collection of rides and other Entertainment attractions assembled for the purpose of entertaining a large group The Western is a fiction Genre seen in Film, Television, Radio, Literature, Painting and other Visual arts. It was partly destroyed in 1995, allegedly by arson, but has since been rebuilt.
The Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum is a non-traditional zoo devoted to animals and plants of the Sonoran Desert. The Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum is one of the most visited attractions in Tucson Arizona. A zoological garden, shortened to zoo, is an institution in which living animals are exhibited in captivity Plants are living Organisms belonging to the kingdom Plantae. The Sonoran Desert (sometimes called the Gila Desert after the Gila River or the Low Desert in opposition to the higher Mojave Desert) is It pioneered the use of naturalistic environments instead of simple cages for zoo animals. It is located west of the Tucson Mountains. The Tucson Mountains are a minor mountain range west of Tucson, Arizona.
The Pima Air & Space Museum, featuring over 250 modern and historical aircraft, is located to the southeast of the city near Davis-Monthan Air Force Base. The Pima Air & Space Museum in Tucson Arizona is the world's largest non-government funded aerospace museum Davis-Monthan Air Force Base is a United States Air Force base adjacent to Tucson, Arizona.
The Aerospace Maintenance and Regeneration Center (AMARC) is a facility where the federal government stores out-of-service aircraft. Bus tours are conducted regularly from the Pima Air & Space Museum. The Pima Air & Space Museum in Tucson Arizona is the world's largest non-government funded aerospace museum
Titan Missile Museum is located about 25 miles (40 km) south of the city on I-19. The Titan Missile Museum, also known as Air Force Facility Missile Site 8 or as Titan II ICBM Site 571-7, is a former ICBM missile site located at Interstate 19 (I-19 is an intrastate Interstate highway located entirely within the state of Arizona. This is a Cold War era Titan nuclear missile silo (billed as the only remaining intact post-Cold War Titan missile silo) turned tourist stop. Titan was a family of US expendable Rockets used between 1959 and 2005 A missile silo is an underground vertical cylindrical container for the storage and launching of intercontinental ballistic missiles ( ICBMs.
Tucson Rodeo Parade Museum has an inventory of 150 vehicles, ranging from small buggies to wagons, surries, and coaches. Historic artifacts from pioneer days and a re-created Western Main Street represent what early Wild West Tucson looked like, and what it offered in terms of businesses and services.
The Museum of the Horse Soldier includes artifacts and ephemera detailing Western cavalry and dragoon military units. Trail Dust Town is a historical outdoor shopping center located in Tucson Arizona. The Cavalry (from French cavalerie) is the second oldest of the Combat Arms, and as Soldiers or Warriors who fought mounted on A dragoon is a soldier intended primarily to fight on foot but trained also in Horse riding and cavalry combat especially
Shops in Summerhaven on Mount Lemmon offer such items as jewelry and other gifts, pizza, and delicious fresh-fruit pies. The legacy of the Aspen Fire can be seen in charred trees, rebuilt homes, and melted beads incorporated into a sidewalk. The Aspen Fire burned from June 17, 2003 for about a month on Mount Lemmon, part of the Santa Catalina Mountains located in the Coronado
Fourth Avenue, located near the University of Arizona, is home to many shops, restaurants, and bars, and hosts the annual 4th Avenue Street Fair every December and March. The University of Arizona (also referred to as UA, U of A, or Arizona) is a Land-grant and space-grant public institution University Boulevard, leading directly to the UA Main Gate, is also the center of numerous bars, retail shops, and restaurants most commonly frequented by the large student population of the UA.
El Tiradito is a religious shrine in the downtown area. El Tiradito is a Shrine and popular local spot in the Old Barrio area of downtown Tucson Arizona. The Shrine dates back to the early days of Tucson. It's based on a love story of revenge and murder. People stop by the Shrine to light a candle for someone in need, a place for people to go give hope.
Trail Dust Town is an outdoor shopping mall and restaurant complex that was built from the remains of a 1950 western movie set. Trail Dust Town is a historical outdoor shopping center located in Tucson Arizona. Trail Dust Town contains a number of historical artifacts, including a restored 1920s merry-go-round and a museum dedicated to Western cavalry and dragoon military units. A carousel ( carrousel in French) is an Amusement ride consisting of a rotating platform with seats for passengers The Cavalry (from French cavalerie) is the second oldest of the Combat Arms, and as Soldiers or Warriors who fought mounted on A dragoon is a soldier intended primarily to fight on foot but trained also in Horse riding and cavalry combat especially
Performing arts
Theater groups include the Arizona Theatre Company, which performs in the Temple of Music and Art, a mirror image of the Pasadena Playhouse; the Invisible Theatre; Live Theatre Workshop; Beowulf Alley; and the Gaslight Theatre, which performs melodramas. The Arizona Theatre Company is a professional regional theatre company operating in both Tucson and Phoenix Arizona. The Pasadena Playhouse is an historic Theatre located in Pasadena California. Melodrama refers to theatre in which music is used to increase the spectator's emotional response or to suggest character types Additionally, many bands perform at the numerous local clubs.
Automotive
Due to its location in the Sunbelt and subsequently little oxidation and the availability of older vehicles that require little restoration, Tucson, like Phoenix has a prolific tuning and hot-rod following. The Speedway Boulevard is often packed with tuners and hot-rodders on Saturday nights, showing off and discussing modifications.
Music
Musical groups include the Tucson Symphony Orchestra, founded in 1929, the Arizona Opera Company, founded as the Tucson Opera Company in 1971, the Tucson Arizona Boys Chorus, founded in 1939, Tucson Girls Chorus, Catalina Chamber Orchestra, Southern Arizona Symphony Orchestra and Civic Orchestra of Tucson. The Tucson Symphony Orchestra, or TSO is the primary professional Orchestra of Tucson Arizona.
Mariachi music is popular and influential in Tucson, and the city is home to a large number of Mariachi musicians and singers. MARIACHI, the Mixed Apparatus for Radar Investigation of Cosmic-rays of High Ionization, is an apparatus for the detection of Ultra-high-energy cosmic rays (UHECR Mariachi is celebrated annually at the Tucson International Mariachi Conference.
Among other things, there is a vibrant underground ska, metal, hardcore, punk rock, and a growing hip-hop scene in Tucson. Ska ( pronounced /ska/ or in Jamaican Patois /skja/ is a Music genre that originated in Jamaica in the late 1950s and which was the precursor Hardcore punk (now usually referred to as simply hardcore) is a subgenre of Punk rock that originated in North America in the late 1970s Hip hop is a cultural movement which developed in New York City in the 1970s primarily among African Americans and Latinos.
Tucson is also home to a small but committed independent music scene, nearly all of which is concentrated in the city's downtown area. The Bled, Golden Boots, The Deludes, The Supersuckers, Calexico, Cassette Culture, The American Black Lung, Blues and Giant Sand are among the many bands based in Tucson. The Bled is a Post-hardcore band from Tucson, Arizona. The band members united over their love of music and their desire to get out of Tucson The Supersuckers are an American rock band They are the self-proclaimed "Greatest Rock 'n' Roll Band in the World Calexico is a rock band based in Tucson Arizona, known for playing an eclectic variety of music Cassette culture refers to the trading of home-made audio cassettes usually of rock or alternative music The Blues is a vocal and instrumental form of Music based on the use of the Blue notes It emerged as an accessible form of self-expression Giant Sand is an American Rock band, based in Tucson Arizona, USA. Following rappers such as LP Dogg, James Ciphurphace, BombAtomic, Black 1, and hip-hop group, Jivin Scientists. Hip hop is a cultural movement which developed in New York City in the 1970s primarily among African Americans and Latinos. Local performers also receive some airplay (and occasionally play live) on the community radio station KXCI. KXCI is a " Community radio " radio station that serves Tucson Arizona. The Tucson Area Music Awards, or TAMMIES, are an annual event. [11]
Sports
The University of Arizona Wildcats sports teams, most notably the men's basketball and women's softball teams, are often the subject of national attention as well as strong local interest. Athletic program The University of Arizona participates in the NCAA 's Division I-A in the Pacific Ten Conference.
Tucson is home to the Tucson Electric Park, the spring training location of the Arizona Diamondbacks (NL), and the Chicago White Sox (AL). Tucson Electric Park (TEP is a stadium in Tucson Arizona. It was home to the Tucson Sidewinders. The Arizona Diamondbacks (also referred to as the D-backs) are a professional baseball team based in Phoenix Arizona. The National League of Professional Baseball Clubs, or simply the National League ( NL) is the older of two leagues constituting Major League Baseball The Chicago White Sox are a professional Baseball team based in Chicago, Illinois. The American League of Professional Baseball Clubs, or simply the American League ( AL) is one of two leagues that make up Major League Baseball in The Colorado Rockies (NL) practice at nearby Hi Corbett Field. The Colorado Rockies are a Major League Baseball team based in Denver, Colorado. The National League of Professional Baseball Clubs, or simply the National League ( NL) is the older of two leagues constituting Major League Baseball Hi Corbett Field is a Baseball field located in Tucson Arizona. These teams, along with the nine that practice in nearby Phoenix, make up the Cactus League. Phoenix (ˈfiːˌnɪks O'odham Skikik, Yavapai Wasinka, Western Apache Fiinigis, Navajo Hoozdo, In Major League Baseball, spring training is a series of practices and exhibition games preceding the start of the Regular season.
The Tucson Sidewinders, a triple-A affiliate of the Arizona Diamondbacks, won the Pacific Coast League championship and unofficial AAA championship in 2006. The Tucson Sidewinders (1998-2008 were a Minor league baseball team based in Tucson Arizona. The Arizona Diamondbacks (also referred to as the D-backs) are a professional baseball team based in Phoenix Arizona. The Pacific Coast League (PCL is a Minor league baseball league operating in the West and Midwest of the United States. The Sidewinders play in Tucson Electric Park and are in the Pacific Conference South of the PCL. Tucson Electric Park (TEP is a stadium in Tucson Arizona. It was home to the Tucson Sidewinders. The Sidewinders were sold in 2007 and will be moving to Reno, Nevada after the 2008 season.
Tucson was given a gold rating for bicycle friendliness by the League of American Bicyclists (LAB) in late April, 2007. Tucson hosts the largest perimeter cycling event in the United States. The ride called "El Tour De Tucson" happens in November on the Saturday before Thanksgiving and has as many as 10,000 participants from all over the world, annually.
Tucson Raceway Park hosts NASCAR-sanctioned auto racing events and is the only asphalt short track in Arizona. Tucson Raceway Park is a 3/8-mile paved oval racetrack located off Interstate 10 just south of Tucson Arizona. The National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing ( NASCAR) is the largest sanctioning body of Stock cars in the United States.
Charlton Athletic recently opened a youth academy in Tucson in May 2005. Charlton Athletic Football Club (also known as The Addicks) is a professional football club based in Charlton, in the London Borough of
The first organized quarter horse races were run in Tucson in the 1930s at the Rillito Downs, where they are still run today.
Parks and recreation
The city is home to more than 120 parks, including Reid Park Zoo. The Reid Park Zoo, founded in 1975 is a city-owned and operated non-profit Zoo in Tucson Arizona. There are five public golf courses located throughout the area. Several scenic parks and points of interest are also located nearby, including the Tucson Botanical Gardens, Saguaro National Park, Sabino Canyon, and Biosphere 2 (just north of the city, in the town of Oracle). The Tucson Botanical Gardens is a collection of 16 Botanical gardens located at 2150 North Alvernon Way Tucson Arizona, USA. Saguaro National Park, located in the state of Arizona, is part of the United States National park system Sabino Canyon is a significant canyon located in the Santa Catalina Mountains and the Coronado National Forest north of Tucson, Arizona, Biosphere 2 is a 314-acre (127 ha) structure originally built to be an artificial closed ecological system in Oracle, Arizona ( USA Oracle is a Census-designated place (CDP in Pinal County, Arizona, United States.
Mt. Lemmon, 25 miles north (by road) and over 6,700 feet above Tucson, is located in the Coronado National Forest. Mount Lemmon is in the Santa Catalina Mountains located in the Coronado National Forest The Coronado National Forest includes an area of about 178 million acres (7200 km² spread throughout mountain ranges in southeastern Arizona and southwestern Outdoor activities in the summer include hiking, birding, rock climbing, picnicking, camping, sky rides at Ski Valley, fishing and touring. In the winter, skiing and/or sledding is sometimes available at the southernmost ski resort in the continental U. S. Summerhaven, a community near the top of Mt. Summerhaven is a small village on Mount Lemmon in the Santa Catalina Mountains north of Tucson, Arizona. Lemmon, is also a popular destination.
Tucson is a popular winter haven for cyclists, and is one of only eight cities in the U. S. to receive a gold rating or higher for cycling friendliness from the League of American Bicyclists. The League of American Bicyclists (LAB is a non-profit membership organization which promotes cycling for fun fitness and transportation through advocacy and Education Both road and mountain biking are popular in and around Tucson with popular trail areas including Starr Pass and Fantasy Island. Maps can be found online for both road and mountain bikers. Tucson is the home to the Tour de Tucson, a famous cycling event held annually in November. [12][13]
The University of Arizona Wildcat's swim teams, both men and women, recently won the NCAA national championships. The University of Arizona has an internationally recognized swim team, with swimmers coming from places like Japan and Africa to swim.
Media
There are two major daily newspapers in Tucson; the Arizona Daily Star (morning), and the Tucson Citizen (afternoon). A newspaper is a written Publication containing News, information and Advertising, usually printed on low-cost paper called Newsprint. The Arizona Daily Star is the major morning Daily newspaper that serves Tucson Arizona, and Southern Arizona. The Tucson Citizen is a daily newspaper in Tucson Arizona. It was founded by Richard C The Citizen is the oldest continuously published newspaper in Arizona, established in 1870. The State of Arizona ( is a state located in the southwestern region of the United States. Year 1870 ( MDCCCLXX) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common There are also several free, weekly newspapers, including the Explorer and the Tucson Weekly (an alternative publication). The Explorer is a weekly newspaper covering Northwest Tucson. The Tucson Weekly is an Alternative newsweekly that was founded in 1984 and serves a metropolitan area of about 900000 residents The Downtown Tucsonan, Tucson Lifestyle Magazine, "Lovin' Life News," and the DesertLeaf are monthly publications covering arts, architecture, decor, fashion, entertainment, business, history, and other events. The Arizona Daily Wildcat is the University of Arizona's student newspaper, and the Aztec News is the Pima Community College student newspaper. The Arizona Daily Wildcat is a student newspaper serving the University of Arizona. The University of Arizona (also referred to as UA, U of A, or Arizona) is a Land-grant and space-grant public institution A student newspaper is a Newspaper run by Students of a University, High school, Middle school, or other school A student newspaper is a Newspaper run by Students of a University, High school, Middle school, or other school
The Tucson metro area is served by many local television stations and is the 70th largest designated market area (DMA) in the U. A media market, broadcast market, media region, designated market area, DMA or simply market is a region where the Population S. with 433,310 homes (0. 39% of the total U. S. ). [14] The major television networks serving Tucson are: KVOA 4 (NBC), KGUN 9 (ABC), KOLD-TV 13 (CBS), KMSB-TV 11 (FOX), KTTU 18 (My Network TV), and KWBA 58 (The CW). A television network is a distribution network for Television content whereby a central operation provides programming for many Television stations KVOA is a full-service television station serving Tucson Arizona as the NBC affiliate The National Broadcasting Company ( NBC) is an American Television network headquartered in the GE Building in New York City's KGUN is the ABC -affiliated television station serving Tucson Arizona. The American Broadcasting Company ( ABC) is an American Television network. KOLD-TV is a full-service television station in Tucson Arizona. CBS Broadcasting Inc ( CBS) is an American radio and Television network. KMSB-TV is the Fox -affiliated television station serving Tucson Arizona. KTTU-TV is a full-service Television station in Tucson Arizona, broadcasting locally in analog on UHF channel 18 and in digital on MyNetworkTV (unofficially abbreviated MyNet or MNT) is a Television network in the United States, owned by the Fox Broadcasting Company KWBA is the affiliate of The CW network in Tucson Arizona. The station broadcasts on analog channel 58 and digital channel 44 and is licensed to Sierra The CW Television Network ( The CW) is a Television network in the United States launched at the beginning of the 2006-2007 television season. KUAT-TV 6 is a PBS affiliate run by the University of Arizona (as is sister station KUAS 27). KUAT-TV is the PBS member station in Tucson Arizona, United States. The Public Broadcasting Service ( PBS) is a Non-profit Public broadcasting Television service with 354 member TV stations in the
Government
Tucson follows the "weak mayor" model of the council-manager form of local government. The following is a list of FCC -licensed Radio stations in the U In the council-manager form of government an elected city council (typically between five and 11 people is responsible for making Policy, passing Ordinances voting Appropriations The 6-member city council holds exclusive legislative authority, and shares executive authority with the mayor, who is elected by the voters independently of the council. An appointed city manager, meanwhile, is responsible for the day-to-day operations of the city.
Both the council members and the mayor serve 4-year terms, and none face term limits. Council members are nominated by their wards via a ward-level primary held in September. The top vote-earners from each party then compete at-large for their ward's seat on the November ballot. In other words, come election day, the whole city votes on all the council races up for that year. Council elections are severed: Wards 1, 2, and 4 (as well as the mayor) are up for election in the same year (most recently 2007), while Wards 3, 5, and 6 share another year (most recently 2005).
Tucson is known for being a trailblazer in voluntary partial publicly-financed campaigns. Campaign finance refers to the means by which money is raised for election campaigns. Since 1985, both mayoral and council candidates have been eligible to receive matching public funds from the city. To become eligible, council candidates must receive 200 donations of $10 or more (300 for a mayoral candidate). Candidates must then agree to spending limits equal to 33¢ for every registered Tucson voter, or $79,222 in 2005 (the corresponding figures for mayor are 64¢ per registered voter, or $142,271 in 2003). In return, candidates receive matching funds from the city at a 1:1 ratio of public money to private donations. The only other limitation is that candidates may not exceed 75% of the limit by the date of the primary. Many cities, such as San Francisco and New York City, have copied this system, albeit with more complex spending and matching formulas. The City and County of San Francisco is the fourth most populous city The City of New York
Robert E. Walkup (R) was elected mayor on November 2, 1999, re-elected for a second term on November 4, 2003 and again for a third term on November 6, 2007. Events 1570 - A Tidal wave in the North Sea devastates the coast from Holland to Jutland, killing more than 1000 Year 1999 ( MCMXCIX) was a Common year starting on Friday (link will display full 1999 Gregorian calendar) Events 1333 - Flood of the Arno River, causing massive damage in Florence as recorded by the Florentine chronicler Giovanni Villani Year 2003 ( MMIII) was a Common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. Events 355 - Roman Emperor Constantius II promotes his cousin Julian to the rank of Caesar, entrusting him with Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. [15] He was preceded by: George Miller (D), 1991-1999; Tom Volgy (D), 1987-1991; Lew(is) Murphy (R), 1971-1987; and Jim Corbett (D), ?-1971.
Tucson is divided between the 7th and 8th congressional districts of Arizona. The city center is in the 7th District, represented by Raul Grijalva, a Democrat, since 2003, while the more affluent residential areas to the north and east are in the 8th District, represented by Gabrielle Giffords, also a Democrat, since 2007. The Democratic Party is one of two major Political parties in the United States, the other being the Republican Party. Gabrielle Giffords (born June 8, 1970) is a Democratic Politician from Tucson, Arizona.
Education
Post-secondary education
- University of Arizona: established in 1885; the second largest university in the state in terms of enrollment with over 37,000 students. The University of Arizona (also referred to as UA, U of A, or Arizona) is a Land-grant and space-grant public institution
- Pima Community College: located in the Tucson area with six campuses. Pima Community College (PCC is a two-year institution of higher education in Pima County Arizona serving the Tucson metropolitan area
- University of Phoenix has four Tucson campuses. The University of Phoenix ( UPX) is a for-profit educational institution that specializes in Adult education.
- Prescott College has a Tucson branch campus. Prescott College is a private Liberal arts college in Prescott Arizona, founded in 1966
- Northern Arizona University has a Tucson branch campus. Northern Arizona University (NAU is a Public university in Flagstaff Arizona in the United States.
Primary and secondary public education
Primarily, students of Tucson residents attend public schools in the Tucson Unified School District (TUSD). Tucson Unified School District (TUSD is the largest School district of Tucson, Arizona in terms of enrollment TUSD encompasses the central Tucson valley, including the lower Catalina Foothills and segments of the Tanque Verde Valley. Catalina Foothills is a Census-designated place (CDP located north of Tucson in Pima County, Arizona, United States. Tanque Verde is a Suburban Census-designated place (CDP in Pima County, Arizona, United States, northeast of Tucson. There are, additionally, a large number of publicly funded charter schools available, many of which have a specialized curriculum.
Other school districts in the Tucson metropolitan area include:
- Altar Valley School District: located southwest of the city, primarily serving Three Points. Three Points is a Census-designated place (CDP in Pima County, Arizona, United States.
- Amphitheater Public Schools: serves segments of the North Side, Casas Adobes, Catalina Foothills, and the communities of Oro Valley, eastern Tortolita and Catalina northwest of the city. District history Following the Mexican-American War of 1848 American pioneers began to settle the Tucson area in increasing numbers Casas Adobes is a Census-designated place (CDP in Pima County, Arizona, United States. Catalina Foothills is a Census-designated place (CDP located north of Tucson in Pima County, Arizona, United States. Oro Valley, incorporated in 1974 is a Suburban town located 6 miles north of Tucson, Arizona, USA in Pima County. Tortolita is a Census-designated place (CDP in Pima County, Arizona, United States. Catalina is a Census-designated place (CDP in Pima County, Arizona, United States.
- Catalina Foothills Unified School District: serves the upper Catalina Foothills north of the city. Catalina Foothills is a Census-designated place (CDP located north of Tucson in Pima County, Arizona, United States.
- Continental School District: serves the rural area south of Sahuarita. Sahuarita (Saw wah ree ta History Sahuarita was founded in 1911 Hohokam (200 to 1450 The first known human inhabitants of the Sahuarita region
- Flowing Wells Unified School District: serves segments of the North Side and the Northwest Side along I-10. In the US state of Arizona, Interstate 10 is the major east-west Interstate Highway in the Southern United States, runs east from California
- Marana Unified School District: serves the town of Marana, Picture Rocks, Avra Valley and western Tortolita northwest of the city. Marana Unified School District (MUSD is an Arizona school district comprising 17 schools in Pima County Arizona. Marana is a town in Pima County Arizona, located northwest of Tucson, with a small portion in Pinal County. Picture Rocks is a Census-designated place (CDP in Pima County, Arizona, United States. Avra Valley is a Census-designated place (CDP in Pima County, Arizona, United States. Tortolita is a Census-designated place (CDP in Pima County, Arizona, United States.
- Sahuarita Unified School District: located south of the city and serves Sahuarita and Arivaca. Sahuarita (Saw wah ree ta History Sahuarita was founded in 1911 Hohokam (200 to 1450 The first known human inhabitants of the Sahuarita region Arivaca is an unincorporated community in Pima County, Arizona, United States.
- Sunnyside Unified School District: serves the far South Side and segments of the Southwest Side. Sunnyside Unified School District is a School district in Pima County, Arizona, USA.
- Tanque Verde Unified School District: serves the far Northeast Side, including the community of Tanque Verde. Tanque Verde is a Suburban Census-designated place (CDP in Pima County, Arizona, United States, northeast of Tucson.
- Vail School District: serves the far Southeast Side, including the community of Vail. Vail is a Census-designated place (CDP in Pima County, Arizona, United States.
Transportation
- Tucson International Airport (IATA: TUS, ICAO: KTUS) is Tucson's public airport and is located six miles (10 km) south of Tucson's central business district. Tucson International Airport is a joint civil-military public Airport located six miles (10 km south of the Central business district of Tucson, An IATA airport code, also known an IATA location identifier, IATA station code or simply a location identifier, is a three-letter code designating many The ICAO (ˌaɪˌkeɪˈoʊ Airport code or location indicator is a four-letter Alphanumeric Code designating each airport around An airport is a location where Aircraft such as airplanes, Helicopters and blimps take off and land The kilometre ( American spelling: kilometer) symbol km is a unit of Length in the Metric system, equal to one thousand A central business district ( CBD) is the commercial and often geographic heart of a city TIA is the second largest commercial airport in Arizona, providing nonstop flights to 27 destinations throughout the United States, and 1 destination in Mexico. The United States of America —commonly referred to as the The United Mexican States ( or commonly Mexico (ˈmɛksɪkoʊ () is a federal constitutional Republic in North America. Overall, Tucson International Airport serves 28 destinations.
- Interstates 10 and 19 are currently the only two freeways in the metropolitan area. In the US state of Arizona, Interstate 10 is the major east-west Interstate Highway in the Southern United States, runs east from California Interstate 19 (I-19 is an intrastate Interstate highway located entirely within the state of Arizona. Tucson does not have a large freeway system such as Phoenix's.
- Sun Tran is Tucson's public bus system. Sun Tran is the Public transit system serving the city of Tucson Arizona. It was awarded Best Transit System in 1988 & 2005 and serves the major part of the metropolis of Tucson. The American Public Transportation Association serves as an advocate for the advancement of Public transportation programs and initiatives in the United States. The city remains largely dependent on automobiles for transportation.
- Amtrak, the national passenger rail system, provides service to Tucson three times weekly in both directions, operating its Sunset Limited between Orlando, Florida and Los Angeles, California. The National Railroad Passenger Corporation, Doing business as Amtrak, is a Government-owned corporation that was organized on May 1, 1971 Amtrak serves the Tucson Southern Pacific depot three times a week with the Sunset Limited and Texas Eagle. The Sunset Limited is a Passenger train that for most of its history has run between New Orleans and Los Angeles California, and that from early Orlando is a major City in central Florida, USA and is the County seat of Orange County Florida. Los Angeles (lɑˈsændʒələs los ˈaŋxeles in Spanish) is the largest City in the state of California and the American West
- Old Pueblo Trolley operates weekend heritage streetcar service between the Fourth Avenue Business District and the University of Arizona. History Electric streetcars began operating in Tucson on June 1 1906 and replaced the horse and mule drawn cars as a mark of Tucson's "modernity The University of Arizona (also referred to as UA, U of A, or Arizona) is a Land-grant and space-grant public institution There are plans to extend it downtown, but no funds are currently allocated
- Cyclists are common in Tucson due to compatible climate, extensive commuter bike routes, off-road mountain biking trails, and bike facilities throughout the city. This is a list of cyclists by decade Cyclists by decade Cyclists before the 1880s James Moore Henry XIII The Tucson-Pima County Bicycle Advisory Committee (TPCBAC) was established to serve in an advisory capacity to local governments on issues relating to bicycle recreation, transportation, and safety. Tucson was given a gold rating for bicycle friendliness by the League of American Bicyclists[16] in late April, 2006.
In popular culture
- Tucson is mentioned in the popular ABC show Ugly Betty, quite frequently as the character Henry Grubstick is from Tucson. The American Broadcasting Company ( ABC) is an American Television network. Ugly Betty is an American television Comedy-drama series starring America Ferrera in the title role along with Eric Mabius Henry Grubstick was a fictional character in the American drama series Ugly Betty.
- Many major motion pictures have been filmed in the Tucson area. Many, particularly classic western films, were shot at Old Tucson Studios, including Tombstone (1993). Old Tucson Studios is a Movie studio and Theme park just west of Tucson Arizona, adjacent to the Tucson Mountains and close to the western portion Tombstone is a 1993 Western movie written by Kevin Jarre and directed by its star Kurt Russell, with credited director George P [17][18] Andy Warhol's controversial film Lonesome Cowboys (1968) was also filmed in the area. For the song by David Bowie, see Andy Warhol (song. Andrew Warhola (August 6 1928 &ndash February 22 1987 known as Andy Warhol Lonesome Cowboys ( 1968) is a film by American filmmaker Andy Warhol. [19]
- The TV show The High Chaparral (1967) was filmed in Tucson. The High Chaparral is a Western -themed television series which aired on NBC from 1967 to 1971 [18] The song "Throw the Jew Down the Well" from Da Ali G Show was filmed at the Country West bar on Ruthrauff Road. Da Ali G Show is the name of two related satirical TV series starring British comedian Sacha Baron Cohen and featuring the character [20]
- A visit to Tucson is part of Jack Kerouac's On the Road (1957), where the protagonists meet up with a friend on Fort Lowell Road in the Fort Lowell Historic District (an east-west arterial in north-central Tucson). Jack Kerouac ( March 12 1922 &ndash October 21 1969) was an American Novelist, Writer, Poet, and On the Road is a novel by American writer Jack Kerouac, written in April 1951 and published by Viking Press in 1957. [21]
- Two United States Navy ships have also been named USS Tucson in honor of the city. Two ships of the United States Navy have been named USS Tucson, after the city of Tucson Arizona. [22]
- The 1987 teen romantic comedy Can't Buy Me Love (film) was filmed and set in Tucson. Can't Buy Me Love ( 1987) is a teen comedy Feature film starring Patrick Dempsey and Amanda Peterson in a story about One of the scenes featured the "boneyard" at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base.
- Many of the scenes from the comedy Major League were filmed at the Hi Corbett field in Tucson which is home to the Colorado Rockies for Spring Training.
- The sitcom Hey Dude, which aired on Nickelodeon, was filmed on location at the Tanque Verde Guest Ranch. Hey Dude is a Television program that aired in the United States from 1989 to 1991
- Exterior scenes from Revenge of the Nerds were filmed in Tucson and on the University of Arizona campus. Revenge of the Nerds is a 1984 American comedy film starring Robert Carradine and Anthony Edwards, with Curtis Armstrong Many of the buildings are easily recognizable, as well as footage of the old Speedway exit of I-10.
Local place names
- Speedway Boulevard was the northern city limit of Tucson in the late 1800s. It was so named because of horse and buggy "drag races" that would take place Saturdays along its straight length of a half mile. Drag racing is a competition in which objects compete to be the first to cross a set finish mark usually from a dead stop and in a straight line Street numbering starts one block south of Speedway and increases southward at intervals of one-eighth, one-tenth, or one-twelfth of a mile, depending on the historic density of the areas. The highest street number is 48th Street. Avenue numbers begin one block west of Euclid Avenue (the edge of the old university quarter) and increase westward, ending before the Santa Cruz River. The highest avenue number is 17th Avenue. House and building numbering is based from a zero point at the junction of Stone Avenue and Congress Street and is incremented by 100 every one-eighth, one-tenth, or one-twelfth of a mile, again depending on the historic density of the areas. In Physics, the zero-point energy is the lowest possible Energy that a Quantum mechanical Physical system may possess and is the energy of the
- Drexel Road, located on the south side of the city, is named after Francis Anthony Drexel, the father of Saint Katharine Drexel. Francis Anthony Drexel ( June 20, 1824 &ndash February 15, 1885) was a Philadelphia banker Katharine Mary Drexel ( November 26, 1858 – March 3, 1955) is a Roman Catholic Saint. Drexel owned property along the road in the 1800s. Another Drexel-related site is the Benedictine Sisters Monastery,[23] built on the east side of town (now the middle of town) in 1940 with funds donated by St. Katharine.
- Ina Road, a major east-west thoroughfare north of town, is named for UA physical education professor Ina Gittings. Although the street is pronounced "Eye-nah" she pronounced her name "Eee-nah. "
- Rita Road, located on Tucson's southeast side, is popularly believed to have been named by Howard Hughes in honor of his then girlfriend Rita Hayworth. Howard Robard Hughes Jr (December 24 1905 – April 5 1976 was an American Aviator, Industrialist, Film producer / director, Philanthropist Rita Hayworth (October 17 1918 &ndash May 14 1987 born Margarita Carmen Cansino was a Spanish-American actress who rose to stardom in the 1940s as the era's leading Sex symbol Hughes Aircraft was located there in the 1950s. It is also widely believed to be named for the Santa Rita Mountains located southeast of Tucson. The Santa Rita Mountains, located about 65 km (40 mi southeast of Tucson Arizona, extend 42 km (26 mi from northwest to southeast However, Rita Road was named for its connection to the small community of Rita, which was the El Paso and Southwestern (EP&SW) railroad stop serving the Santa Rita ranch. Rita was located just SE of Rankin, AZ which was located less than quarter-mile northeast of the present-day intersection of Kolb and Valencia. Rita was nearly due west from Esmond, AZ. Few traces of Rita survive, but Rankin and Esmond are easily located. Trivia: heading east from Tucson the railroad stops on the EP&SW were Aldona, Santa Cruz, Rita, and Vail. On the Southern Pacific heading the same way you'd pass Polvo, Wilmot, Rankin, Esmond, and Vail. The community of Rita was shown on local maps until at least 1922.
- Until the late 1960s, city bus route number 1 was called the Binghampton route. This route went from downtown, past the university, and to the community of Binghampton around the Ft. Lowell Road and Dodge Road intersection. Binghampton was a farming community that was absorbed into the city in the 1940s.
- Grant Road was originally two different roads, Grant Road and North Street. Because of map platting irregularies, the road starts eastward from Stone Avenue to First Avenue then veers south a block to the North Street alignment at Park Avenue, continues to Campbell Avenue, kicks north a block to the Grant Road alignment and continues eastward. The Grant Road alignment is exactly one mile north of the Speedway alignment, but the North Street alignment was preferred in the Park Avenue to Campbell section because the section line was laid out differently for the subdivision directly south and following the Grant Road alignment would have necessitated demolishing many homes. In US land surveying, a section is an area nominally one Mile square containing 640 Acres (2
Sister cities
Tucson has eleven sister cities:[24]
See also
References
Further reading
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