Tucson, one of the oldest towns in the United States, began as a Hohokam Indian village called Stook-zone, meaning water at the foot of black mountain. Spanish settlers arrived in the Tucson area in 1776 and fought alongside Mexico for its independence. After coming under the jurisdiction of the United States through the Gadsden Purchase in 1854, Tucson served as capital of the Arizona Territory from 1867 to 1877. Arizona became the 48th state in the Union in 1912. Tucson centers on a unique blend of Native American, Spanish, Mexican, and Anglo-American influences. The Tucson metropolitan area supports 844,000 residents and, according to the 2000 census, is the 30th largest city in the country. Tucson is home to the University of Arizona and Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, and its industries include electronics and missile production. Tucson is also known for the natural beauty of the Sonoran Desert, a dry climate with 360 sunny days a year, and topography that ranges from a 2400-foot desert basin to the 9100-foot forests of the Santa Catalina Mountains.