Tucson is one of the most major cities, which is located in the US state of Arizona. In addition, this city is the administrative center of Pima County. Tucson is one of the fastest growing cities in America. The administrative center has a population of 541,811 people. It is the second largest in this state in terms of area.

Geographically, Tucson is located in southern Arizona, on the large oasis of Santa Cruz. Desert terrain predominates. That is why this city has a big problem with water resources.



In ancient times, this territory was inhabited by the ancient Navajo tribes. Thanks to the Spaniards, the first fort was founded in this area in 1768. Spain completely controlled this territory at that time. But, despite the fact that the Spanish colonists had the opportunity to completely control the entire situation in this city, the basic principles of all the inhabitants who lived in this territory at that time remained unchanged. Tucson has a zest that always appeals to all those who have ever visited this wonderful place.

The most attractive thing for tourists in Tucson is that there are many buildings here that are made in the Spanish style. In the territory modern city to the attention of vacationers and just travelers there are many museums where you can learn interesting information about this wonderful town. The central part of the city will show tourists all the beauty and splendor of the old restored Spanish fort. Vacationers should also pay attention to the architectural monument called “Saguaro”. This attraction is also often called the cactus forest.

Due to the big problem that has developed in megacities due to air pollution, there is a resort near Tucson where diseases associated with the respiratory system and related diseases are treated.
For astronomy lovers in the nearby locality there is a space observatory, quite famous throughout the astronomical community.

Due to its healing properties airspace, people suffering from respiratory diseases, as well as elderly citizens, often move to this city for permanent residence.

Tucson (Spanish Tucson, English Tucson [ˈtuːsɒn]) - Big City in Arizona, USA and administrative center Pima County. It is one of the fastest growing cities in the USA. The population of the city itself is 520,116 inhabitants (2010), it is the second largest city in Arizona after Phoenix, the state capital.

For a long time, the only inhabitants of Tucson were the Navajo Indian tribes. The first European fort here was founded in 1768 by the Spanish, after which the city was under the control of Spain and then independent Mexico. Part of the United States since 1853. Intensive development began only in 1877. On January 8, 2011, in Tucson, near a Safeway supermarket, there was an attempt on the life of Gabrielle Giffords, a member of the US House of Representatives from Arizona. 6 people were killed and 14 were injured.

Geography

The city is located in the south of Arizona (in the southwestern United States), in a large oasis in the Santa Cruz River valley on a semi-desert plateau. Located 188 km (118 miles) southeast of Phoenix. Experiences a shortage of water resources.

Economy

The city is a center for the production of guided missiles, aircraft assembly, and radio electronics. The production of optical instruments and optoelectronics is well developed; Tucson is sometimes called the “Optics Valley” (by analogy with Silicon Valley). Tucson - transportation hub Central region irrigated agriculture, grazing livestock (sheep, goats, cows) and mining. Copper ore, polymetals, and uranium ore are mined in the surrounding mountains, and copper smelting takes place in the city itself. The city is home to the University of Arizona.

Attractions

In the city, tourists are attracted by buildings of Spanish architecture and many museums: the Arizona State Museum, Art Museum(featuring Latin American art), Arizona Historical Society Museum. In the city center is a restored historical quarter, once part of a Spanish fort. To the northwest of the city is the Saguaro National Natural Monument, which is a cactus forest. Nearby there is a winter climatic resort of national importance (treatment of respiratory diseases). Kitt Peak is located 72 km from the city. astronomical observatory- US National Observatory located on Mount Kitt Peak (2095 m). Near the city there is the Davis Monten Air Force Base with the largest cemetery of obsolete aircraft.

Population

The population of Tucson in 1974 was only 285 thousand inhabitants. The city is one of popular places for pensioners and people of pre-retirement age. The population of the city itself, according to data for 2006, is 519 thousand people, with its suburbs - 946 thousand. The ethnic composition of the population is very diverse. White Americans make up about 69.7% of the population (including 47.2% non-Hispanic), 36% are Mexican (regardless of race), 5.0% are African American, 2.9% are Asian, 2. 7% are Indians, 0.2% are from Oceania. There are many...

The sun is the source of life on the planet. Its rays provide the necessary light and warmth. At the same time, ultraviolet radiation from the Sun is destructive to all living things. To find a compromise between the beneficial and harmful properties of the Sun, meteorologists calculate the ultraviolet radiation index, which characterizes the degree of its danger.

What kind of UV radiation from the sun is there?

Ultraviolet radiation from the Sun has a wide range and is divided into three regions, two of which reach the Earth.

  • UVA. Long-wave radiation range
    315–400 nm

    The rays pass almost freely through all atmospheric “barriers” and reach the Earth.

  • UV-B. Medium wave range radiation
    280–315 nm

    The rays are 90% absorbed by the ozone layer, carbon dioxide and water vapor.

  • UV-C. Shortwave range radiation
    100–280 nm

    The most dangerous area. They are completely absorbed by stratospheric ozone without reaching the Earth.

The more ozone, clouds and aerosols in the atmosphere, the less the harmful effects of the Sun. However, these life-saving factors have a high natural variability. The annual maximum of stratospheric ozone occurs in spring, and the minimum in autumn. Cloudiness is one of the most variable characteristics of weather. The carbon dioxide content also changes all the time.

At what UV index values ​​is there a danger?

The UV index provides an estimate of the amount of UV radiation from the Sun at the Earth's surface. UV index values ​​range from a safe 0 to an extreme 11+.

  • 0–2 Low
  • 3–5 Moderate
  • 6–7 High
  • 8–10 Very high
  • 11+ Extreme

In mid-latitudes, the UV index approaches unsafe values ​​(6–7) only when maximum height The sun is above the horizon (occurs in late June - early July). At the equator, the UV index reaches 9...11+ points throughout the year.

What are the benefits of the sun?

In small doses, UV radiation from the Sun is simply necessary. The sun's rays synthesize melanin, serotonin, and vitamin D, which are necessary for our health, and prevent rickets.

Melanin creates a kind of protective barrier for skin cells from the harmful effects of the Sun. Because of it, our skin darkens and becomes more elastic.

The hormone of happiness serotonin affects our well-being: it improves mood and increases overall vitality.

Vitamin D strengthens the immune system, stabilizes blood pressure and performs anti-rickets functions.

Why is the sun dangerous?

When sunbathing, it is important to understand that the line between the beneficial and harmful Sun is very thin. Excessive tanning always borders on a burn. Ultraviolet radiation damages DNA in skin cells.

The body's defense system cannot cope with such aggressive influence. It lowers immunity, damages the retina, causes skin aging and can lead to cancer.

Ultraviolet light destroys the DNA chain

How the Sun affects people

Sensitivity to UV radiation depends on skin type. People of the European race are the most sensitive to the Sun - for them, protection is required already at index 3, and 6 is considered dangerous.

At the same time, for Indonesians and African Americans this threshold is 6 and 8, respectively.

Who is most influenced by the Sun?

    People with fair hair
    skin tone

    People with many moles

    Residents of mid-latitudes during a holiday in the south

    Winter lovers
    fishing

    Skiers and climbers

    People with a family history of skin cancer

In what weather is the sun more dangerous?

It is a common misconception that the sun is dangerous only in hot and clear weather. You can also get sunburned in cool, cloudy weather.

Cloudiness, no matter how dense it may be, does not reduce the amount of ultraviolet radiation to zero. In mid-latitudes, cloudiness significantly reduces the risk of getting sunburned, which cannot be said about traditional places beach holiday. For example, in the tropics, if in sunny weather you can get sunburned in 30 minutes, then in cloudy weather - in a couple of hours.

How to protect yourself from the sun

To protect yourself from harmful rays, follow simple rules:

    Spend less time in the sun during midday hours

    Wear light-colored clothing, including wide-brimmed hats

    Use protective creams

    Wear sunglasses

    Stay in the shade more on the beach

Which sunscreen to choose

Sunscreen varies in degree of sun protection and is labeled from 2 to 50+. The numbers indicate the proportion of solar radiation that overcomes the protection of the cream and reaches the skin.

For example, when applying a cream labeled 15, only 1/15 (or 7 %) of the ultraviolet rays will penetrate the protective film. In the case of cream 50, only 1/50, or 2 %, affects the skin.

Sunscreen creates a reflective layer on the body. However, it is important to understand that no cream can reflect 100% of ultraviolet radiation.

For everyday use, when the time spent under the Sun does not exceed half an hour, a cream with protection 15 is quite suitable. For tanning on the beach, it is better to take 30 or higher. However, for fair-skinned people it is recommended to use a cream labeled 50+.

How to Apply Sunscreen

The cream should be applied evenly to all exposed skin, including the face, ears and neck. If you plan to sunbathe for a long time, then the cream should be applied twice: 30 minutes before going out and, additionally, before going to the beach.

Please check the cream instructions for the required volume for application.

How to Apply Sunscreen When Swimming

Sunscreen should be applied every time after swimming. Water washes away the protective film and, by reflecting the sun's rays, increases the dose of ultraviolet radiation received. Thus, when swimming, the risk of sunburn increases. However, due to the cooling effect, you may not feel the burn.

Excessive sweating and wiping with a towel are also reasons to re-protect the skin.

It should be remembered that on the beach, even under an umbrella, the shade does not provide complete protection. Sand, water and even grass reflect up to 20% of ultraviolet rays, increasing their impact on the skin.

How to protect your eyes

Sunlight reflected from water, snow or sand can cause painful burns to the retina. To protect your eyes, wear sunglasses with a UV filter.

Danger for skiers and climbers

In the mountains, the atmospheric “filter” is thinner. For every 100 meters of height, the UV index increases by 5 %.

Snow reflects up to 85 % of ultraviolet rays. In addition, up to 80 % of the ultraviolet reflected by the snow cover is reflected again by clouds.

Thus, in the mountains the Sun is most dangerous. It is necessary to protect your face, lower chin and ears even in cloudy weather.

How to deal with sunburn if you get sunburned

    Use a damp sponge to moisten the burn.

    Apply anti-burn cream to the burned areas

    If your temperature rises, consult your doctor; you may be advised to take an antipyretic

    If the burn is severe (the skin swells and blisters greatly), seek medical attention

Tucson is the second largest city in Arizona, located in the south of the state, 180 km south of Phoenix (the state capital) and 100 km north of the border with Mexico. The population of Tucson in 2014 is estimated at 527 thousand people. The population of the urban agglomeration (Tucson and its suburbs) is approximately 1 million people.

It is believed that the territory of present-day Tucson was inhabited by people 10 thousand years ago. The presence of Europeans was minimal until the end of the 18th century. In 1821, Tucson became part of Mexico, and in 1853 it was annexed by the United States. By 1900, Tucson's population was only 8 thousand people. The city's nickname is “The Old Pueblo.”

Racial composition of the population for 2013:

  • white - 45.0%
  • Hispanic (any race) - 42.3%
  • African Americans - 4.9%
  • Asians - 3.0%
  • mixed races - 2.5%
  • Indians - 2.0%

Socio-economic indicators for 2013:

  • average income per person - $19669
  • average home price - $125,100
  • The average cost of renting a home is $745
  • population living below the poverty line - 25.3%
  • unemployment in the region (as of June 2014) - 7.3%
  • cost of living index - 89.2 (US average - 100)


The economy and development of Tucson are largely associated with the University of Arizona - the largest educational institution state, which has about 40 thousand students. The university is currently the second largest employer in the city.

High-tech industries, including military ones, play an important role in the local economy. Tourism is well developed, with approximately 3.5 million tourists visiting the city annually.

On the southeast side of Tucson along I-10 is the Tucson Tech Corridor, home to about 150 businesses. Raytheon is the world's largest manufacturer of guided missiles and the largest employer in Tucson.


The photo shows the Raytheon Missile Systems industrial complex.

One of the main city problems is water shortage. The Santa Cruz River flows through the city. Previously, it was fuller and was the main source of water, but over time it dried up. Its bed is filled with water only during the rainy season (monsoon season).

Tucson is located in the Sonoran Desert and is surrounded on all sides by mountain ranges. The landscape is surprisingly varied for a desert: hills, dry riverbeds, rocky canyons, cacti, plants, all under a clear blue sky.


National Park Saguero National Park near Tucson

The climate in the region is desert with long and hot summers. Thanks to its location at an altitude of 800 meters above sea level, the air temperature here is slightly cooler than in Phoenix. Daytime temperatures in summer days exceed 35-38 C, at night temperatures drop to 20-28 C. Temperatures up to 35 C can be observed even in early October. Tucson experiences the monsoon season from July to August. In winter, daytime temperatures can reach 15-20 C. At the same time, in certain periods there are frosts and even snow falls, which quickly melts.

Tucson(Spanish) Tucson, English Tucson[ˈtuːsɒn]) is a large city in the state of Arizona, United States and the administrative center of Pima County. It is one of the fastest growing cities in the USA. The second largest city in Arizona after Phoenix, the state's capital.

For a long time, the only inhabitants of Tucson were the Navajo Indian tribes. The first European fort here was founded in 1768 by the Spanish, after which the city was under the control of Spain and then independent Mexico. Part of the United States since 1853. Intensive development began only in 1877.

January 8, 2011 in Tucson near a supermarket chain Safeway There was an attempt on the life of Gabrielle Giffords, a member of the US House of Representatives from Arizona. 6 people were killed and 14 were injured.

Geography

The city is located in the south of Arizona (in the southwestern United States), in a large oasis in the Santa Cruz River valley on a semi-desert plateau. Located 188 km (118 miles) southeast of Phoenix. Experiences a shortage of water resources.

Attractions

Sunset at national park Saguaro near Tucson

In the city, tourists are attracted by buildings of Spanish architecture and many museums: the Arizona State Museum, the Art Museum (representing Latin American art), and the Arizona Historical Society Museum. In the city center is a restored historical quarter, once part of a Spanish fort.

To the northwest of the city is located, which is a cactus forest. Nearby there is a winter climatic resort of national importance (treatment of respiratory diseases).

72 km from the city is the Kitt Peak Astronomical Observatory, a US national observatory located on Mount Kitt Peak (2095 m).

Near the city there is the Davis Monten Air Force Base with the largest cemetery of obsolete aircraft.