Tucson has been continuously settled for over 12,000 years. It celebrates a diversity of cultures, architecture, and peoples. Yet, it is one of the Mega-Trend cities of the 21st Century: the Optics Valley, premier health services center for the Southwest, the astronomy center of the world, home of a premier research institution - University of Arizona, and a tourism destination.

Tucson is one of the oldest towns in the United States. Tucson was orginally an Indian village called Stook-zone, meaning water at the foot of black mountain. Hugo O'Conor established the Tucson Presidio in 1775. August 20th, 1775 is considered Tucson's birthday. Spanish settlers arrived in the area in 1776. Tucson officially became part of the United States with the Gadsden Purchase of 1854. Tucson served as capital of the Arizona Territory from 1867 to 1877.

The City is home to the University of Arizona and Davis-Monthan Air Force Base. The City's industries include electronics and missile production. Tucson is the seat of Pima County and has a Council-Manager form of government.