Tucson is a growing metropolis of 900,000 that keeps getting better and better. The metropolitan area adds about 2,000 new residents each month. The city’s geography is a postcard image of cactus forests, rolling hills, and craggy mountains. 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.

Tucson has been continuously settled for over 12,000 years. Tucson was originally an Indian village called Stook-zone, meaning water at the foot of black mountain. Tucson officially became part of the United States with the Gadsden Purchase of 1854. Today Tucson boasts the best of both worlds…the progress and innovation of a metropolitan community and the friendly, caring atmosphere of a small town. Tucson’s rich cultural heritage centers around a unique blend of Native American, Spanish, Mexican and  Anglo-American influences.

Tucson is now 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. Much of Tucson’s economic development has been centered around the development of the University of Arizona, which is currently the largest employer in the city. Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, located on the southeastern edge of the city, also provides many jobs for Tucson residents. Its presence, as well as the presence of a US Army Intelligence Center, has led to the development of a significant number of high-tech industries, including government contractors, in the area. Today, there are more than 1,200 businesses employing over 50,000 people in the high-tech industries of Southern Arizona. The City of Tucson, Pima County, the State of Arizona and the private sector have all made commitments to create a growing, healthy economy with high-tech industries as its foundation. Advanced technology companies like Raytheon Missile Systems, Texas Instruments, IBM, Intuit, Inc., America Online, Universal Avionics, Misys Healthcare Systems, and Bombardier, all have a significant presence in Tucson.