When you arrive in Tucson, a city of 800,000, you will find an amazingly
lush desert landscape with bright flowers blooming for most of the year.
Lying in the borderland (or frontera in Spanish), Tucson is
about 60 miles from Mexico, in the heart of the Sonoran Desert. It is
surrounded by mountain ranges: The Santa Catalinas—including the
area's one ski-run—on the northeast, the Rincons and Santa Ritas
to the south, the Tucson Mountains on the west, and the
Tortolita Mountains on the north. With over 300 days of sunshine each
year, Tucson provides an outstanding environment for those who enjoy
hiking and other outdoor activities. One of the oldest European
settlements in North America, we enjoy a rich mix of Native American,
Hispanic, and Anglo cultures, and the excellent art, music, and
food from each of these cultures. The beautiful University of Arizona
campus lies in the center of Tucson.
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