Tucson is in Southeast Arizona just 66 miles north of the Mexican Border. The city grew along the Santa Cruz and Rillito rivers, where native
peoples grew corn beans and squash since pre-historic times. This desert valley is surrounded by mountains known as "Sky Islands."

To the north, the 9,000-foot Santa Catalina Mountains feature the southernmost ski area in the United States. To the east are the Rincon
Mountains, rising to the 8,644-foot summit of Mica Mountain. The highest are the Santa Rita Mountains south of the city, with Mount Wrightson
reaching 9,453 feet. The lowest are the volcanic Tucson Mountains to the west; the summit is 4,687-foot Wasson Peak.

This region includes all but two of the North American life zones - missing only the vegetations that grow at sea level and in the alpine region.

Originally part of Mexico, the area that became Arizona and New Mexico was sold to the United States with the Gadsden Purchase of 1853.
Tucson later was the territorial capital. Arizona became a state in 1912.