| Tucson pronounced too sawn is small city | | | | The Arizona Desert Museum, located about 15 |
| located in southern Arizona about 100 miles | | | | miles west of the city near Old Tucson at the |
| south of Phoenix and 60 miles north of the | | | | southern entry to Saguaro National Park, is a |
| Mexican border. It is situated on a flat | | | | great place to experience the flora and fauna |
| desert valley nearly surrounded by barren, | | | | of the surrounding desert. |
| rugged mountains. | | | | |
| | | | Old Tucson is a simulated western town |
| It has become a retirement community for | | | | originally constructed as a film set for |
| elderly citizens that appreciate the year | | | | cowboy movies. Today it is a theme park with |
| round warm weather and inexpensive living. | | | | entertainment, restaurants, gift shops and |
| | | | many actors dressed in western costumes. |
| It is less congested than Phoenix and well | | | | |
| situated for tourists wishing to explore the | | | | For a very different experience, visit the |
| many surrounding attractions. | | | | Pima Air Museum just south of the city. In |
| | | | addition to viewing their wonderful |
| The climate in Tucson is always dry with | | | | collection of military and civilian aircraft, |
| temperatures ranging from warm to extremely | | | | you can take guided tours of the Bone yards |
| hot. The city normally receives less than 25 | | | | at neighbouring Davis Monthan Air Force Base. |
| cm of rainfall per year. Daytime temperatures | | | | Over 5000 military aircraft including |
| can exceed 45 during the summer with a much | | | | hundreds of huge B 52 bombers awaiting |
| more pleasant 20 during the winter months. | | | | destruction are parked in endless rows at the |
| High tourist season extends from November | | | | Aerospace Maintenance and Reconstruction |
| through March. Fall and spring are good times | | | | Centre. It is hard to even imagine so many |
| to visit this area if you want to avoid the | | | | aircraft parked in one place. |
| tourist crowds. | | | | |
| | | | There are huge open pit copper mines near |
| The surrounding desert is filled with giant | | | | Sahuarita just south of Tucson and in Bisbee |
| Saguaro cactuses that stand up to 10 meters | | | | south of Tombstone. Both mines offer public |
| high. You can drive through forests of these | | | | tours. A 29 mile road winds its way up the |
| cactuses or hike the many trails in Saguaro | | | | Catalina Mountains to the 3000 meter high |
| National Park located just outside of the | | | | peak of mount Lemmon where temperatures |
| city. | | | | average 10 lower than the city below. |
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