The sun is the source of life on the planet. Its rays provide the necessary light and warmth. At the same time, the ultraviolet radiation of the Sun is detrimental to all living things. To find a compromise between the beneficial and harmful properties of the sun, meteorologists calculate the index of ultraviolet radiation, which characterizes the degree of its danger.
What UV radiation from the Sun is
Ultraviolet radiation from the Sun has a wide range and is subdivided into three regions, two of which reach the Earth.
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UV-A. Long-wavelength radiation range
315-400 nmThe rays pass almost freely through all atmospheric "barriers" and reach the Earth.
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UV-B. Medium wavelength range
280-315 nmThe rays are 90% absorbed by the ozone layer, carbon dioxide and water vapor.
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UV-C. Shortwave range radiation
100-280 nmThe most dangerous area. They are completely absorbed by stratospheric ozone before reaching the Earth.
The more ozone, clouds and aerosols in the atmosphere, the less the harmful effects of the Sun. However, these saving factors have a high natural variability. The annual maximum of stratospheric ozone is in the spring, and the minimum is in the fall. Cloudiness is one of the most variable characteristics of weather. The carbon dioxide content also changes all the time.
At what values of the UV index is there a danger
The UV Index gives an estimate of the amount of UV radiation from the Sun on the Earth's surface. UV Index values range from safe 0 to extreme 11+.
- 0 - 2 Low
- 3 - 5 Moderate
- 6 - 7 High
- 8 - 10 Very high
- 11+ Extreme
At mid-latitudes, the UV index approaches unsafe values (6–7) only at the maximum height of the Sun above the horizon (occurs in late June - early July). At the equator, the UV index reaches 9 ... 11+ points throughout the year.
Why the sun is useful
In small doses, UV radiation from the Sun is essential. The sun's rays synthesize melanin, serotonin, vitamin D necessary for our health, and prevent rickets.
Melanin creates a kind of protective barrier for skin cells from the harmful effects of the sun. Because of it, our skin darkens and becomes more elastic.
The hormone of happiness serotonin affects our well-being: it improves mood and increases overall vitality.
Vitamin D strengthens the immune system, stabilizes blood pressure and has antirachitic functions.
Why the sun is dangerous
Taking sun baths, it is important to understand that the line between beneficial and harmful Sun is very thin. Excessive tanning always borders on a burn. Ultraviolet radiation damages DNA in skin cells.
The body's defense system cannot cope with such an aggressive effect. It lowers immunity, damages the retina of the eyes, causes aging of the skin, and can lead to cancer.
Ultraviolet light destroys the DNA chain
How the sun affects people
Susceptibility to UV radiation depends on skin type. People of the European race are most sensitive to the Sun - for them protection is required already at index 3, and 6 is considered dangerous.
At the same time, for Indonesians and African Americans, this threshold is 6 and 8, respectively.
Who is most affected by the Sun
People with light
skin tone
People with many moles
Mid-latitude residents on holiday in the south
Winter lovers
fishing
Alpine skiers and climbers
People with a family history of skin cancer
In what weather is the sun more dangerous
It is a common misconception that the Sun is dangerous only in hot and clear weather. You can get burnt even in cool cloudy weather.
Cloudiness, no matter how dense it may be, does not at all reduce the amount of ultraviolet radiation to zero. In mid-latitudes, cloudiness significantly reduces the risk of sunburn, which is not the case with traditional beach destinations. For example, in the tropics, if in sunny weather you can get sunburned in 30 minutes, in cloudy weather - in a couple of hours.
How to protect yourself from the sun
To protect yourself from destructive rays, follow these simple rules:
Stay less in the Sun at midday hours
Wear light-colored clothing, including wide-brimmed hats
Use protective creams
Wear sunglasses
You are more in the shade on the beach
Which sunscreen to choose
Sunscreen varies in degree of sun protection and is labeled from 2 to 50+. The numbers indicate the proportion of solar radiation that overcomes the protection of the cream and reaches the skin.
For example, when applying a cream labeled 15, only 1/15 (or 7%) of the UV rays will penetrate the protective film. In the case of cream 50 - only 1/50, or 2%, affect the skin.
Sunscreen creates a reflective layer on the body. At the same time, it is important to understand that no cream is capable of reflecting 100% of ultraviolet radiation.
For everyday use, when the time spent in the sun does not exceed half an hour, a cream with protection 15 is quite suitable. For sunbathing on the beach, it is better to take 30 or more. However, for light-skinned people, it is recommended to use a cream labeled 50+.
How to apply sunscreen
The cream should be applied evenly to all exposed skin, including the face, ears and neck. If you plan to sunbathe long enough, then the cream should be applied twice: 30 minutes before going out and, additionally, before going to the beach.
Specify the required amount for application in the instructions of the cream.
How to apply sunscreen when swimming
Sunscreen should be applied every time you bathe. Water washes away the protective film and, reflecting the sun's rays, increases the dose of ultraviolet radiation received. Thus, when bathing, the risk of sunburn increases. However, due to the cooling effect, you may not feel the burn.
Excessive sweating and towel drying is also a reason to re-protect your skin.
It should be remembered that on the beach, even under an umbrella, the shade does not provide adequate protection. Sand, water and even grass reflect up to 20% of UV rays, increasing their effect on the skin.
How to protect your eyes
Sunlight bouncing off water, snow or sand can cause painful retinal burns. Use UV-filtered sunglasses to protect your eyes.
Danger to skiers and climbers
In the mountains, the atmospheric "filter" is thinner. For every 100 meters of altitude, the UV index increases by 5%.
Snow reflects up to 85% of UV rays. In addition, up to 80% of the ultraviolet reflected by the snow cover is again reflected by the clouds.
Thus, the Sun is most dangerous in the mountains. Protecting your face, lower chin and ears is essential even in cloudy weather.
How to deal with sunburn if you are burned
Sponge your body with a damp sponge to dampen the burn
Apply an anti-burn cream to the burned areas.
If the temperature rises, consult a doctor, you may be advised to take an antipyretic
If the burn is severe (the skin is very swollen and blistering), seek medical attention
Tucson is the second largest city in Arizona, located in the south of the state, 180 km south of Phoenix (the state capital) and 100 km north of the border with Mexico. The population of Tucson in 2014 is estimated at 527 thousand people. The population of the metropolitan area (Tucson metropolitan area) is approximately 1 million people.
It is believed that the territory of today's Tucson was inhabited by people already 10 thousand years ago. The presence of Europeans was minimal until the late 18th century. In 1821 Tucson became part of Mexico, and in 1853 it was annexed to the United States. By 1900, Tucson's population was only 8,000. The city's nickname is "The Old Pueblo".
Racial makeup of the population in 2013:
- white - 45.0%
- Hispanics (any race) - 42.3%
- African American - 4.9%
- Asians - 3.0%
- mixed races - 2.5%
- Indians - 2.0%
Socio-economic indicators for 2013:
- median income per person - $ 19669
- median home value - $ 125,100
- average rental price - $ 745
- population living below the poverty line - 25.3%
- unemployment in the region (as of June 2014) - 7.3%
- cost of living index - 89.2 (US average - 100)
Tucson's economy and development is largely associated with the University of Arizona, the largest educational institution in the state, with about 40,000 students. The university is currently the second largest employer in the city.
High-tech industries, including the military, play an important role in the local economy. Tourism is well developed, about 3.5 million tourists visit the city annually.
On the southeast side of Tucson, along I-10, is the Tucson Tech Corridor, home to some 150 businesses. Raytheon is the world's largest guided missile manufacturer and largest employer in Tucson.
The photo shows the industrial complex Raytheon Missile Systems.
One of the main urban problems is the lack of water. The Santa Cruz River flows through the city. Previously, it was deeper and was the main source of water, but over time it dried up. Its bed is filled with water only during the rainy season (monsoon season).
Tucson is located in the Sonoran Desert and is surrounded on all sides by chains of mountains. The landscape is surprisingly diverse for a desert: hills, dry riverbeds, rocky canyons, cacti, plants and everything under a clear blue sky.
Saguaro National Park near Tucson
The region has a desert climate with long and hot summers. Due to its location at an altitude of 800 meters above sea level, the air temperature here is slightly lower than in Phoenix. Daytime temperatures in summer days exceed 35-38 C, at night temperatures drop to 20-28 C. Temperatures up to 35 C can be observed even in early October. From July to August, Tucson has a monsoon season. In winter, daytime temperatures can reach 15-20 C. At the same time, frosts are observed in a separate period and even snow falls, which quickly melts.
(G) (I)Jonathan Rothschild
1022.5 people / km²
843 168
(English)
Geography
The city is located in southern Arizona (in the southwestern United States), in a large oasis in the valley of the Santa Cruz River on a semi-desert plateau. Located 188 km (118 mi) southeast of Phoenix. There is a shortage of water resources.
Climate
Tucson climate | |||||||||||||
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Index | Jan. | Feb | March | Apr | May | June | July | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
Absolute maximum, ° C | 31,1 | 33,3 | 37,2 | 40,0 | 43,9 | 47,2 | 45,6 | 44,4 | 41,7 | 38,9 | 34,4 | 29,4 | 47,2 |
Average maximum, ° C | 18,6 | 20,3 | 23,4 | 27,8 | 33,1 | 37,9 | 37,6 | 36,3 | 34,7 | 29,3 | 23,1 | 18,2 | 28,4 |
Average temperature, ° C | 11,4 | 12,9 | 15,6 | 19,4 | 24,4 | 29,3 | 30,6 | 29,6 | 27,6 | 21,7 | 15,4 | 11,1 | 20,8 |
Average minimum, ° C | 4,3 | 5,7 | 7,9 | 11,1 | 15,8 | 20,7 | 23,6 | 22,9 | 20,3 | 14,1 | 7,8 | 3,9 | 13,2 |
Absolute minimum, ° C | −14,4 | −8,3 | −6,7 | −2,8 | 0,0 | 6,1 | 9,4 | 12,8 | 6,1 | −3,3 | −7,2 | −12,2 | −14,4 |
Precipitation rate, mm | 22,1 | 17,8 | 18,3 | 7,6 | 4,6 | 5,1 | 60,2 | 55,6 | 42,4 | 26,9 | 17,0 | 27,2 | 304,8 |
Source: |
Economy
The city is a center for the production of guided missiles, aircraft assembly, and radio electronics. The production of optical devices and optoelectronics is well developed; sometimes Tucson is called "Valley of Optics" (by analogy with Silicon Valley).
Tucson is a transport hub for the Central Region of Irrigated Agriculture, Grazing (sheep, goats, cows) and the mining industry. In the surrounding mountains, copper ore, polymetals, uranium ore are mined, and in the city itself, copper is smelted.
sights
In the city, tourists are attracted by buildings of Spanish architecture and many museums: the Museum of the State of Arizona, the Museum of Art (representing Latin American art), the Museum of the Arizona Historical Society. In the center of the city there is a restored historic quarter, once part of a Spanish fort.
To the northwest of the city is the Saguaro National Natural Monument, which is a cactus forest. A winter climatic resort of national importance is located nearby (treatment of respiratory diseases).
At 72 km from the city is the Kitt Peak Astronomical Observatory - the national observatory of the United States, located on Kitt Peak (Kitt Peak, 2095 m).
Near the city, there is the Davis Monten Air Force Base with the largest graveyard of obsolete aircraft.
Population
The population of Tucson in 1974 was only 285 thousand inhabitants. The city is one of the most popular places for retirees and people of pre-retirement age. The population of the city itself, according to 2006 data, is 519 thousand people, with the suburbs - 946 thousand. The ethnic composition of the population is very diverse. White Americans make up about 69.7% of the population (including non-Hispanic 47.2%), 36% are Mexicans (regardless of race), 5.0% of the population are African Americans, 2.9% are Asians, 2. 7% are Indians, 0.2% are from Oceania. There are many illegal migrants from neighboring Mexico in the city. The per capita income in the city is therefore low - about $ 16,000 per person per year (41,000 in the United States as a whole).
Military significance
Transport
- Tucson International Airport (eng. Tucson International Airport)
- Amtrak station serving the Sunset Limited train (Los Angeles-New Orleans, 3 times a week).
Twin cities
- Almaty, Kazakhstan
- Pecs, Baranja, Hungary
- Ciudad Obregon, Sonora, Mexico
- Nouakchott, Mauritania
- County Roscommon, Ireland
- Sulaymaniyah, Sulaymaniyah, Iraq
- Segovia, Castile and Leon, Spain
- Trikala, Trikala, Greece
- Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico
- Taichung, Taiwan
- Liupanshui, China
Notable natives and residents
- Jim Lounsbury (eng. Jim lounsbury ) (-), one of the "pioneers" of rock and roll and a radio host from the United States.
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Notes (edit)
Literature
Links
- (English)
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Welcome to the United States of America!
General information:Full title: Tucson
State:
Year of foundation: 1768
Population (with surroundings): 1030 thousand people
Square: 505 sq. Km.
Tucson (its second name is Tucson) is a large city and the administrative center of Pima County. It is considered one of the fastest growing. Tucson currently has a population of half a million and is the second largest in the state, behind only.
The city is located in the south of Arizona, on the territory of a large oasis in the valley of the Santa Cruz River, surrounded by a semi-desert plateau. One hundred and eighty eight kilometers from Tucson is the city of Phoenix. Currently, the city is experiencing a shortage of water resources.
Tucson Photos
About two hundred and eighty millimeters of precipitation falls annually in the vicinity of the city. Usually it rains here either in summer or in winter and does not last long. The summer period of rains is called mansun. During it there are small storms and strong gusty winds, especially in the afternoon. Snow in the local area is extremely rare and melts very quickly - this is due to the fact that the city is located in the valley of the Sonoran Desert. However, there is enough snow in the mountains even to arrange regular skiing trips.
Due to the low percentage of humidity and the constant light breeze, the heat in Tucson is a little easier to endure in summer.
The city is a center for the production of radio electronics, aircraft assembly and the production of guided missiles. Tucson is sometimes called the "Valley of Optics" (a kind of analogue of Silicon Valley) - this is due to the fact that optoelectronics and optical devices are produced here in large quantities.
In the mountainous regions around Tucson, copper ore is mined, which is processed at the city's enterprises. The University of Arizona is also located in Tucson. The city is a major transport hub for the region of grazing, irrigated agriculture and mining.
Tourists to the local area are attracted primarily by a number of perfectly preserved buildings of Spanish architecture. Tucson is also home to a large number of museums, including the Museum of the Historical Society of Arizona, the Art Museum (which has a wide range of Latin American art) and the State Museum.
The restored historic quarter, once part of a Spanish fort, is located in the heart of Tucson. National Natural Monument "Saguaro" - "cactus forest" - attracts tourists from all over the country and is located northwest of the city. There is also a climatic resort not far from Tucson, which treats respiratory diseases.
Kitt Peak Astronomical Observatory, located on Mount Kitt Peak, is only seventy-two kilometers from the city.
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Tucson from A to Z: map, hotels, attractions, restaurants, entertainment. Shopping, shops. Photos, videos and reviews about Tucson.
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Tucson, the second largest city in Arizona, is located on an elevated position, and therefore it is slightly cooler here than in its Sonoran desert neighbor Phoenix. With a total population of about 850 thousand people, Tucson has always been at the crossroads of several paths, and its population was the most diverse. The main tourist attractions in Tucson are located not so much in the city itself as around it: it is the perfect place to explore Arizona in its wild, natural form.
How to get to Tucson
Tucson International Airport hosts several national airlines, although some prefer to fly to Phoenix and from there land transportation to Tucson (notably the Arizona shuttle buses). Amtrak trains run here on the Los Angeles - New Orleans line.
Find flights to Las Vegas (closest airport to Tucson)
Tucson entertainment and attractions
The Arizona-Sonoran Desert Museum on Kinney Road is not so much a traditional museum as it is a Biosphere II project. It is partly a zoo, partly a natural history museum, partly a botanical garden. Here you can see a wide variety of inhabitants of the region, from tarantulas to brown bears, from scorpions to coyotes. In addition, the museum is located on the edge of the Saguaro National Park, where you can see the world's most extensive saguaro cactus thickets.
3 things to do in Tucson:
- Feel like a western hero.
- Enough to admire the cacti.
- Visit the aircraft cemetery and the deserted observatory.
Saguaro National Park is the most unspoiled and extensive cactus forest in the American West. The park consists of two unconnected parts to the east and west of the city. This place became a national monument in 1933. Huge saguaro cacti live here for 200 years, gaining during this time up to 15 m in height and more than 10 tons in weight. These are the very iconic cacti that we imagine when thinking about the Wild West. Although other types of thorny plants grow in the national park, there are also desert flowers that cover the ground with a colorful carpet after heavy rains. Most of the park's animals prefer to hide during the day, but travelers still have a chance to see coyotes, owls, hawks, turtles, wild pigs, and foxes here.
The Sabino Canyon is a picturesque desert gorge carved into the southern Santa Catalina Mountains, on the northern border of the city. You can get here by tram (about 9 stops), and from here by another tram - to Bear Canyon, from where the popular hiking trail to the Seven Waterfalls begins. In order to enter the park, a National Park Pass is required, which is also valid for Mount Lemmon.
These places were inhabited 10 thousand years ago. The first Christian mission was founded in 1699, but only in 1775 a permanent settlement appeared, and Tucson became part of the United States in 1853.
Mission San Xavier del Bac - "white dove of the desert" - this is where the city began. Inside a beautiful snow-white building in the middle of a hot desert, you can still see beautiful paintings and murals. The mission was finally completed in 1797, while Arizona was still under Spanish control.
Tucson's old film studio bears witness to the times when the city served as the backdrop for Hollywood films about the Wild West. It was originally built in 1939 for William Holden's Arizona. Since then, Clint Eastwood, Paul Newman, John Wayne have "checked in" here. The studio is still in operation and has a nostalgic theme park with pre-Prohibition saloons, corsetted cancan dancers, restaurants and souvenir shops.
One of the really unusual sights of the city is El Tiradito. This is probably the only sanctuary in honor of the sinner in the entire country. In the 1880s. the stepfather caught the stepson with his stepmother and shot him, so that the guy who ran out of the house fell dead on the way. Died without repentance, they refused to bury him on church land, so the family buried the body right where the sinner fell. Flowers and candles are still brought to this place.
The Pima Aerospace Museum on Valencia Road boasts over 250 historic aircraft. In addition, the museum can book a special tour of the aerospace storage center (also known as the "bone graveyard"), where more than 4,200 aircraft have been collected. And in the Titan Rocket Museum, south of the city, in Sahuarita, the Titan-II underground complex from the Cold War era has been preserved.
Tohono-Chul Park is a well-maintained and very pleasant place with a tea room, a souvenir shop, a bookstore and an art gallery nestled among gardens and paths. In the park, you can admire an extensive botanical exhibition of native plants and even buy some seedlings.
The Tucson Museum of Art includes a complex of historic homes and permanent displays of art from Latin American and Pre-Columbian cultures. It also hosts temporary exhibitions of contemporary art and the Arizona Biennale. The University of Arizona Museum of Art is located on campus on Olive Road and features a fairly extensive collection of works by American and European artists from the Renaissance to the 20th century. The masterpiece of the collection is a 15th century Spanish altarpiece. In addition, Tucson has a Museum of Modern Art (Church Avenue) and the De Grace Gallery in the historic San. The latter is a complex of buildings designed and built by the famous 20th century artist Ettore "Ted" DeGracia, and there is also a gallery of his paintings.
Popular hotels in Tucson
Tucson Events
Tucson turns into a bustling international marketplace for two weeks each winter, selling and buying gems, minerals and fossils. The Stone Show is not a one-off fair in one place: more than 1000 participants are scattered across 50 different venues, and at the same time, the city hosts a variety of shows and exhibitions for the general public, where you can see anything you want, including gold bars and dinosaur bones.
One of the biggest festivals in Tucson is the All Saints Day procession, a nearly 5 km long parade that begins at dusk. A bright and colorful holiday based on the Mexican Day of the Dead and takes place on the first Sunday in November.
The annual festival of lights takes place in Winterhaven. The backlight turns on on several dozen buildings. The holiday usually starts in mid-December and ends a few days before the New Year. The festival is very popular, so traffic is difficult these days.
Neighborhoods of Tucson
The Karttschner caves are located 15 km south of the city. The state park was opened here in 1999, and on its territory you can see a stunning system of caves in limestone cliffs, which, according to some estimates, is one of the ten most beautiful in the world. The caves were discovered in 1974 and kept secret until 1988, which allowed them to be preserved in an almost pristine state.
Kitt Peak National Observatory is an hour's drive southwest of Tucson. Astronomy fans shouldn't miss this place, and so should photography lovers. There are several astronomical telescopes and one large solar telescope, and excursions can be arranged.
A popular tourist destination is Summerhaven, a small settlement on Mount Lemmon in the Santa Catalina Mountains. It is located at an altitude of almost 2500 m and was originally used by the military from Fort Lowell as a camp to fight the Apaches in the 1870s and 1880s. There are several shops, a gallery of hand-made gizmos and even a gingerbread house where you can treat yourself to homemade cookies and pizza. In 2003, Summerhaven was severely damaged by a monstrous Aspen fire, but the place is still popular: people go skiing to Summerhaven in winter and to escape the heat in summer.