Welcome to Tucson
Tucson blends the best of both worlds: the innovation of a multicultural metropolitan area and the caring atmosphere of a small town. Situated in the Sonoran Desert and surrounded by five mountain ranges, this city ushers in more than 350 days of sunshine a year, so visitors can bet they'll see some sun while they're here. Tucson is the astronomy center of the world, a mini Mecca for the arts and one of the "Mega Trend" cities of the 21st century. Settled for more than 12,000 years, it is among the oldest towns in the nation, boasting a rich cultural heritage that revolves around the mix of Native American, Spanish, Mexican and Anglo-American influences. The population of Tucson is about 526,000, making it Arizona's second-largest city.
Summer days can get rather hot, so visitors should carry a water bottle and take frequent trips to the shade or air conditioning while exploring the city or surrounding nature parks. Tucson is a haven for outdoorsy types, as it's bordered on all sides by natural areas, including, Catalina State Park, Ironwood Forest National Monument, Saguaro National Park and Coronado National Forest. To get around inside the city, many visitors take the public transportation system, called Sun Tran.