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