Off in the Sonoran desert, lies this one of the most culturally invigorating places in the Southwestern part of the US - the City of Tucson. Tucson is famous as a college town and is home to 40,000-profound University of Arizona. Did you know that Tucson is engulfed by the world's largest concentration of Saguaro cactus?
Image by tombstonecowboy via http://www.panoramio.com/photo/62232385
Interesting Facts about Tucson
- Tucson is Arizona's 2nd largest city.
- Tucson is also fondly known as "The Old Pueblo", "Optics Valley"
- Tucson's type of government is Council-manager government.
- According to 2014 census, Tucson's estimated population was 527,972.
- The residents of Tucson are known as 'Tucsonans'
- Tucson is surrounded by 5 mountain ranges - The Catalina's, The Rincon's, The Tucson Mountains, The Tortolita's and the Santa Rita's.
- Tucson is home to the globally renowned 'University of Arizona.
- The Tucson Rodeo Parade is one of its kind and the world's largest non-motorized parade.
- Tucson is the sunniest city in the US, with 350 days of sunny days.
- Tucson is home to the Amazon rainforest and has the highest bird species than any other place on earth.
- Located on U/A campus, the Arizona State Museum boasts of being the largest and most well-documented collection of Southwestern Indian pottery in the world.
- In Tucson, you will find the largest concentration of saguaro cacti in the world.
- The name Tucson is a Spanish name derived from the O'odham Cuk Son - referred to a basalt-covered hill (base darker than its top)
- Tucson is the birth place of the Fox Theater’s most popular event - the Mickey Mouse Club.
- During the territorial period, between 1861 and 1862, Tucson was appointed as the capital of Arizona.
- Tucson's Pima Air and Space Museum is the world's largest air and space museum.
- Be sure to have a meal at El Charro Cafe in Downtown when you're in the city. In 2008, “Gourmet Magazine,” named the cafe as one of the America’s 21 Most Legendary Restaurants.
- To witness the country's largest show of its kind - participate in The Tucson Gem and Mineral Show.
- Tucson's Steward Observatory Mirror Lab boasts as the creator of the world's largest and most precise telescope mirrors.
- Tucson is referred as "a mini mecca for the arts" by the Wall Street Journal.
- Tucson's Colossal Cave is one of the world's biggest dry caverns.
- Tucson is the pioneer to Quarter horse racing that started at the city's historic Rillito Downs.
Check out the best tourist spots in Tucson!
