Southern Arizona

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Southern Arizona is a region of the United States. It is the southernmost portion of the 48th state, Arizona. Although Southern Arizona's boundaries are not well-defined, it is generally considered to include Cochise County, Pima County and Santa Cruz County, anchored by the city of Tucson. Other principal cities in Southern Arizona include Sierra Vista and the border cities of Nogales and Douglas.

The region includes many small mountain ranges including the Chiricahua Mountains, Huachuca Mountains, Santa Ritas, the Santa Catalinas, the Rincons, the Piñalenos, and others.

[edit] History

Southern Arizona has been inhabited for several millennia. The Hohokam were the principal Precolombian inhabitants of the area. In more recent times, the dominant indigenous group have been the O'odham who continue to live in the area in their traditional homeland.

Several Spanish missions were established in the early 18th century by Father Eusebio Francisco Kino in what was then known as the Pimería Alta. After the Mexican-American War, much of Southern Arizona was purchased by the United States from Mexico in what is known as the Gadsden Purchase.