Tucson's History
Tucson is a cosmopolitan city with a unique blend of Native American, Spanish, Mexican, African American, Asian and Anglo heritages. Ancient Hohokam Indians developed complex irrigation systems in the area for growing crops. The name "Tucson" is derived from the Indian word, "Chuk-son," meaning village of the dark spring at the foot of the mountains. The city was established in 1775 by Spanish soldiers as a walled presidio - the Presidio of San Augustin de Tucson. Tucson became a part of Mexico in 1821 when Mexico won its independence from Spain, and in 1854 became a part of the United States as part of the Gadsden Purchase. Following a turbulent territorial period racked by conflict with the Apache Indians, Arizona became the 48th state in 1912. Today, Tucson is one of the fastest growing urban areas in the U.S. The metropolitan area population of 804,200 people is expected to reach one million shortly after the turn of the century. With this anticipated growth, the community is retaining the rich charm which earned it the nickname, "The Old Pueblo." |
Tucson Weather
| Precipitation | Measurement |
| Wettest month -- July | 2.42 inches |
| Driest month -- May | 0.14 inches |
| Annual total | 12.00 inches |
| Monthly Temps. | Avg. Daily Max. Temp. | Avg. Daily Min. Temp. |
| January | 64.1 | 38.2 |
| February | 67.0 | 39.9 |
| March | 71.5 | 43.6 |
| April | 80.7 | 50.3 |
| May | 89.6 | 57.5 |
| June | 97.9 | 66.2 |
| July | 98.3 | 74.2 |
| August | 95.3 | 72.3 |
| September | 93.1 | 67.1 |
| October | 83.8 | 56.4 |
| November | 72.2 | 44.8 |
| December | 64.8 | 39.1 |
| Coldest Month -- Jan. | 64.1 | 38.1 |
| Hottest Month -- July | 98.5 | 73.8 |
| Annual avg. | 81.7 | 54.2 |
Tucson Media
| Daily Newspapers | Arizona Daily Star | 573-4220 |
| Tucson Citizen | 573-4400 | |
| Daily Territorial | 294-1200 | |
| Radio Stations | 15 AM; 13 FM | |
| Television Stations | 5 network; | |
| 1 educational; | ||
| 2 independent; | ||
| cable |
Tucson's Principle Economic Activities
Tucson is one of the few U.S. cities its size that can boast of a symphony, ballet, opera and live theater company. The University of Arizona remains the largest single employer with 10,100 employees, while Davis-Monthan AFB employs 8,340.
Tourism is an important source of income; it has contributed over $1.5 billion to the Pima County economy in the past year and continues to be a major part of the economic base.
Manufacturing employment in metropolitan Tucson has more than doubled in the past ten years. This growth is due to the increase of high technology manufacturers locating and expanding in Pima County. These manufacturers include: AlliedSignal, Weiser Lock, 3M, Burr-Brown, Environmental Air Products, Inc., Krueger Industries, Inc. and Raytheon Missile Systems Company.
Some of the employers who have recently relocated to the Tucson area include: American Communicaqtions Services, Inc., GW Plastics-Tucson, King Energy Services, Leoni Cable Assemblies, Polymer Chemistry Innovations, EDS Call Center, Hickory Travel Systems Reservation Center, Krebs Engineers, SATCON Technology Corp., Containers Southwest, Intuit, America Online, Cross Country Group, Opinion Research Corp.