Tucson, Arizona

Tucson, Arizona

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Tucson (pronounced {{IPA|/ˈtusɑn/}}) is a city and the county seat of Pima County, Arizona, located 135 miles (217 km) southeast of Phoenix. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 486,699, with a metropolitan area population of 843,746. A July 1, 2004 Census estimate put the city's population at 521,605, and the metropolitan population at 931,210. The population of metropolitan Tucson is expected to exceed 1 million by 2010. In 2004 Tucson ranked as the 32nd largest city, and 55th largest metropolitan area in the U.S. It is the largest city in southern Arizona, and the second largest in the state after Phoenix. Two United States Navy vessels have also been named USS Tucson in honor of the city.

Related Topics:
Pronounced - Pima County, Arizona - Phoenix - 2000 - July 1 - 2004 - Census - Metropolitan - 2010 - Arizona - United States Navy - USS ''Tucson''

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Major incorporated suburbs of Tucson include Oro Valley and Marana northwest of the city, and South Tucson and Sahuarita south of the city. Other communities near Tucson include Catalina, Green Valley, Flowing Wells, Catalina Foothills, Casas Adobes, Vail, and Tanque Verde.

Related Topics:
Oro Valley - Marana - South Tucson - Sahuarita - Catalina - Green Valley - Flowing Wells - Catalina Foothills - Casas Adobes - Vail - Tanque Verde

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The name Tucson comes via Spanish from the O'odham, {{Unicode|Cuk Ṣon}} (pronounced {{IPA|}}; roughly, "chuk shon"), meaning "Black Base," a reference to the mostly volcanic mountains on the west side of the city. The most notable of these foothills is Sentinel Peak, better known as "A Mountain" because it sports a large letter A in honor of the University of Arizona. Tucson is sometimes referred to as "The Old Pueblo."

Related Topics:
Spanish - O'odham - Sentinel Peak - University of Arizona

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Variations in the pronunciation of the city's name are fairly common, as the vowel in the second syllable is often indistinct or omitted altogether (as in {{IPA|/ˈtusn̩/}}). A comical, intentional mispronunciation of {{IPA|/ˈtʌksn̩}}/ is also occasionally encountered. The city is often misspelled as "Tuscon" by non-locals, and local residents may pronounce it this way in jest.

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