Tucson, Arizona

Tucson is a city in the US state of Arizona. The name of the city has been derived from the Spanish word 'O'odham, Cuk' which means "Black Base. The city is also known as "The Old Pueblo". The city was formed with the establishment of a Spanish fort in 1775. In 1821, when Mexico gained independence, Tucson became a part of it. In 1853, the city became apart of US. It then became the capital of the Confederate Territory of Arizona from 1861 to mid-1862. It was a part of the New Mexico Territory till 1863 and was then made the capital of the Arizona Territory from 1867 to 1879. Tucson is the seat of Pima County and is also the largest city in southern Arizona and the second largest in the state.

Area & Location: Located 118 miles north of Phoenix, Tucson is situated at 32º12'52? Latitude North and 110º55'5? Longitude West. Sits on the Santa Cruz River, the city covers a total area of a total area of 505.3 sq. km with 504.2 sq. km of land and 1.1 sq. km of water. The city has an elevation of 728 m above sea level. It is home to 521,605 of its residents.

Tourist Attractions: The city that has historical and cultural importance attracts worldwide tourists.

Transportation: Tucson International Airport that handles almost all international flights serves the city. Sun Tran is the public bus system in the city. Amtrak, the national passenger rail system links the Tucson with other US cities. Old Pueblo Trolley that operates streetcar service is another form of transportation in the city. Cycles, cars and taxis include the public transportation in the city.

Hotels: The location, ambience and the facilities offered by the Tucson hotels are worth paying. Arizona Inn, Windmill Inn at St Philips Plaza, JW Marriott Starr Pass Resort & Spa, Westward Look Resort, Hampton Inn Tucson-Airport, Canyon Ranch, Tucson Marriott University Park, Holiday Inn Express, Golf Villas at Oro Valley, Loews Ventana Canyon Resort and Holiday Inn Express Tucson Mall are some of such hotels.

Places of Attraction: Arizona Historical Society- that has a collection of artifacts, Fort Lowell Museum, The Tucson Museum of Art, University of Arizona Art Museum, Old Tucson Studios, The Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum -a non-traditional zoo that houses all desert creepers like scorpions, Gila monsters, The Pima Air & Space Museum The Aerospace Maintenance and Regeneration Center, Titan Missile Museum and Museum of the Horse Soldier are the important museums in the city that have historical importance. Reid Park Zoo, Tucson Botanical Gardens, Saguaro National Park, Sabino Canyon and Biosphere 2 are the recreational centers in the city. Mission San Xavier del Bac, the example of Spanish mission architecture in the city is a must to visit site in the city.