{too'-sahn}

Tucson, the second largest city in Arizona, is located about 110km (68 M) north of Mexico. The seat of Pima County, Tucson has a population of 405,390 (1990 census) and metropolitan Tucson has a population of 666,880. In a valley surrounded by the Santa Catalina Mountains, the city is a distribution centre for vegetables, citrus fruits, cotton, livestock and dairy products. Copper mining is important. Tucson produces guided missiles, electronic equipment, aircraft parts, plastics and optical goods. Because of its warm, dry climate, it is a tourist and resort centre. Tucson has historical museums and a symphony orchestra; nearby are located Saguaro National Monument, Coronado National Forest and Tucson Mountain Park. The University of Arizona (1885) is located in Tucson.

An Indian settlement, Stjukshon, occupied the site when Jesuit Eusebio KINO arrived in the late 17th century and established the mission of San Xavier del Bac.

To discover more about Tucson in the USA, visit their website.