Welcome to Tucson

        Located in the high Sonoran desert and encircled by six Southwest mountain ranges, Tucson is just 65 miles north of the Mexican border and is thus a fitting site for a symposium on Latin American Music.

         Tucson is a city with a proud history. It is the oldest city in Arizona, hence its nickname "The Old Pueblo."  Indigenous people lived at the base of "A" mountain and the Santa Cruz River for thousands of years before Spanish settlers created the city that was to become Tucson within the walled "El Presidio" compound in 1775. Many cultures have contributed to the development of the city and the surrounding region, including Native American, Spanish, Mexican, Anglo and Asian. Today Tucson is a blossoming, cosmopolitan city with a current population of about 525,000, and a metropolitan-area population of about 900,000. The city also boasts a legacy of excellence in technological, astronomical, and geological research. A diverse arts scene is part of Tucson's charm and musical offering range from cowboys songs to opera, Bach organ chorales to electric banda.

         Though the weather in January can be a bit unpredictable, it is typically sunny and you will quickly see why so many resorts locate in our foothills region. Outdoor swimming pools and golf courses are open all year round!  Temperatures in January average in the 50's.  The days are generally pleasant, but be prepared for cool evenings.  January is an excellent time to visit Southern Arizona and escape the winter blues.

         Tucson is a stimulating site for our meeting and symposium attendees will have many opportunities to explore cultural confluence, past and present, while visiting Tucson and the surrounding Southwestern region.

VISIT TUCSON WEBSITE

            For symposium attendees looking for excursions, Arizona provides many opportunities, ranging from a side trip north to the Grand Canyon or to the famous Heard Museum in Phoenix, to half- or full-day trips to closer sites such as the Mission San Javier del Bac, the Desert Museum, Kitt Peak Astronomical Observatory, and of course, Nogales, Mexico; as well attractions in the immediate vicinity such as the UA Center for Creative Photography. Tucson is a favorite locale for golf, biking and hiking enthusiasts.

            Browse the Visit Tucson.org website. Although we supply some information below, you will find a wealth of information on Tucson and all it has to offer on this lovely website. Be forewarned that the size of the site means that some pages load a little slowly.