Tampa is a United States city in Hillsborough County, on the west coast of Florida.It is a part of the Tampa St Petersburg Clearwater metropolitan area, most commonly referred to as the Tampa Bay Area. Located in the beautiful Gulf of Mexico, Tampa is recognized as one of the fastest growing cities in the USA.
The City of Tampa, officially incorporated on July 15, 1887, marked its 120th birthday with a celebration in Gaslight Park. To commemorate this milestone, community leaders were invited to contribute items for a time capsule to be opened by Tampas mayor in the year 2037.
Tampa may very well be the only city in the United States to be invaded by pirates every year. That invasion, known as Gasparilla, has been a Tampa tradition for over 100 years.
Tampa Theatre opened in 1926 and located right downtown, the Tampa Theatre is a historic movie palace featuring a wide range of independent, foreign, and documentary films on a daily basis. Architecturally stunning both inside and out, it is no wonder that the Tampa Theatre has become both a city and national landmark being listed in the National Register of Historic Places since 1978. It is Tampas only non profit theatre and operating costs are largely covered by its membership program, various corporate sponsors as well as ticket sales.
The High Tech Corridor has become a key magnet in Florida for high tech companies. This has resulted in an increase in high tech jobs, and an increase in the number of seasoned professionals moving to the area.
Busch Gardens is a 335 acre African theme, family entertainment park. It offers naturalistic animal habitats, thrill rides, live entertainment, shopping, and dining.
Adventure Island features 36 acres of 17 water play areas with a beach volleyball complex.
Clearwater Beach is one of the most popular resorts for sun seekers on Floridas West coast. Consistently voted one of the top beaches in the country, Clearwater draws the crowds for its stunning sands, calm waters and excellent outdoor activities.
Avoid Downtown after dark, when most of the office workers who populate it during the day are gone. Also be aware while in Suitcase City, the part of town surrounding Busch Gardens, USF and University Square Mall.
The climate is subtropical, with thunderstorms and warm, wet weather during the summer months and cooler, dry conditions during winter from October to February. However temperatures remain pleasant during the winter months.
