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The City
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Tucson is the county seat of Pima County and comprises roughly half of the county's population, which is extremely diverse as a result of its American Indian, Spanish, European and Mexican heritage. Like many areas of the American Southwest, the territory that includes Tucson changed hands between the countries of Mexico and the United States until officially becoming part of the United States as part of the Gadsden Purchase in 1853.
The natural geography of Tucson and its surrounding areas is as diverse as its cultural heritage. It includes five minor mountain ranges, the Sonoran desert, the Coronado National Forest, and the Santa Cruz River, which still flows during the rainy season but is dry the rest of the year.
The city itself is home to five regions, each possessing unique notoriety. The Downtown and Central Tucson areas are full of historic neighborhoods and buildings, such as the Hotel Congress and the Fox Theater. This is also the home of the University of Arizona. Southern Tucson has a strong Mexican-American influence, Western Tucson is recognized for its natural attributes, and Northern and Eastern Tucson are rapidly developing areas with plenty of upscale shopping and dining.
The natural geography of Tucson and its surrounding areas is as diverse as its cultural heritage. It includes five minor mountain ranges, the Sonoran desert, the Coronado National Forest, and the Santa Cruz River, which still flows during the rainy season but is dry the rest of the year.
The city itself is home to five regions, each possessing unique notoriety. The Downtown and Central Tucson areas are full of historic neighborhoods and buildings, such as the Hotel Congress and the Fox Theater. This is also the home of the University of Arizona. Southern Tucson has a strong Mexican-American influence, Western Tucson is recognized for its natural attributes, and Northern and Eastern Tucson are rapidly developing areas with plenty of upscale shopping and dining.