Everything you need to know about tucson arizona. Panorama Tucson. Virtual tour of Tucson. Attractions, map, photo, video How the sun affects people

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.

  • UV-A. Long-wavelength radiation range
    315-400 nm

    The rays pass almost freely through all atmospheric "barriers" and reach the Earth.

  • UV-B. Medium wavelength range
    280-315 nm

    The rays are 90% absorbed by the ozone layer, carbon dioxide and water vapor.

  • UV-C. Shortwave range radiation
    100-280 nm

    The 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) Mayor

Jonathan Rothschild

Founded First mention Square Center height Official language Population Density

1022.5 people / km²

Agglomeration

843 168

Timezone Telephone code Zip codes Official site

(English)