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Destinations / The Best Places to Visit in Florida, U.S.A. / Tampa

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Tampa



  

Tampa is situated in the west central part of Florida . The city lies on the banks of a large natural bay that bears the name of Tampa Bay and extends about 55 km deep into the Florida peninsula. Most of its length in the width of the bay is from 8 to 16 km. The region, located in the Bay Area is called the Tampa Bay Area . The composition of metropolitan Tampa Bay Area has three major cities: Tampa, Clearwater , St. Petersburg , as well as several dozen small towns with a population from 10 to 100 thousand inhabitants. In total Tampa-Clearwater-St Petersburg is home to about 4 million people. Directly in the city of Tampa was a population of 335,000 inhabitants in 2010.

The origin of the name "Tampa" is not totally known . One suggestion refers to the ancient language of the local tribes, when the word "Tampa" meant "Fire sticks" is likely because the Indians called lightning, very frequent during the summer storms in the vicinity of Tampa Bay. Another assumption is based on the fact that from 1695 on the cards was used "Bay of Tanpa" . The Spaniards misunderstood Native American language and used the word Tanpa as the designation of the area. Over the time, "Tanpa" transformed into "Tampa." The Spanish conquistadors who landed in 1528 in the vicinity of Tampa Bay, apparently, were the first Europeans that appeared in these places. In 1821 the United States acquired Florida from Spain.

One goal was to reduce the acquisition of Indian attacks, in addition, the U.S. tried to eliminate the refuge of slaves who fled from the southern states. One of the first actions of the USA in Florida was a military raid on Angola - a settlement of runaway slaves and free blacks on the east shore of Tampa Bay. First time Tampa was an isolated outpost, only in 1849 Tampa received the status of a "village" with a population of less than 200 inhabitants.

Until the mid-1880s, Tampa was a fishing village, with no industry, poor road connections with the rest of Florida and uncertain prospects for development. In addition, the surrounding swamps infested by mosquitoes, brought an epidemic of yellow fever, which also prevented the growth of the population. But with the 1883 Fortune turned its face towards the city. First found in the vicinity of phosphate , an important mineral was used in fertilizer production. Soon, large quantities of phosphate began to be transported from the local port of Tampa and is today the largest producer of phosphates. Another important factor was the construction of the railway, which linked the city with the rest of the country, revived trade, led to the city of new residents.

 

In 1885, Vicente Martinez Ybor , an American industrialist , moved to Tampa for cigar production. Cuban tobacco was delivered by sea to Tampa, and then finished cigars were transported by rail to the north in other U.S. states. The production immediately rose hundreds of homes where workers were settled, mostly arriving from Cuba and Latin America. For a production of cigars followed next, and developed related industry, commerce, service sector. Tampa not only turned into a "Cigar capital of the world", but suddenly in 1900 became one of the largest cities in Florida.

Population in 2010:

• White - 46.3%

• African Americans - 26.2%

• Hispanic - 23.1%

• Asians - 3.4%

• Indians - 0.4%

• Mixed race - 3.2%

 

Socio-economic indicators in Tampa:

• average income per person (in 2009) - $ 26,154

• population living below the poverty line (in 2009) - 19.2%

• unemployment (in 2011) - 11.0% (slightly higher than the average in the U.S.)

• Cost of Living Index (January 2011) - 95.7 (slightly lower than the average for the U.S.)

 

The basis of the economy of Tampa are: trade, services, tourism, finance, insurance, transportation, defense industry. Many corporations, large banks and telecommunications companies have regional offices in the city. Interestingly, the main Wikipedia servers are installed in Tampa, the largest university is located in Tampa, (University of South Florida) , which enrolled more than 45,000 students. The university has a good reputation and is considered one of the most advanced in terms of research. The main airport is in Tampa (Tampa International Airport).

Port City is the largest port in Florida and one of the busiest commercial ports in North America. Also, Tampa is a popular stop for tourist cruise ships. The most widely known and an anticipated public event in Tampa is an annual celebration and, in particular, is "Gasparilla Pirate Festival" . According to the legend, the pirate Jose Gaspar Spanish, known as "Gasparilla", made their raids off the coast of West Florida in the late 18th - early 19th century. The celebration of the invasion plays Gaspar pirate ship, followed by a parade on the main streets. On average, the festival that takes place in late January and consists of several events, attracts about 400,000 spectators. There are six major areas: Downtown Tampa, North Tampa, West Tampa, East Tampa, South Tampa, and New Tampa , consisting of about 80 smaller areas.

 

Other attractions of the city Tampa:

Busch Gardens Tampa Bay - a theme park rides with African animals and thrilling roller coaster ride;

Island adventure - a water theme park near Busch Gardens Tampa Bay;

Lowry Park Zoo - Tampa Zoo, home to about 2,000 animals;

Florida Aquarium - Aquarium, famous for its glass facade, which contains 20,000 aquatic plants and animals;

Museum of Science & Industry (MOSI) - Museum of Science and Industry, with an IMAX theater and planetarium;

Tampa Bay History Center - Museum of Tampa Bay;

Museum of Art Tampa - Tampa Museum of Art;

Sunshine Skyway Bridge - a beautiful and majestic bridge between Tampa and St. Petersburg;

In addition to the downtown, city nightlife is concentrated in the areas of: Channelside, Ybor City, SoHo. Also, pay attention to the mall International Plaza and Bay Street.

It is also worth noting that the west coast of Florida (including Clearwater and St Petersburg) is a popular place for recreation and tourism, where there are many notable attractions. Three teams representing the region in the major sports leagues in North America are from Tampa Bay. Two of them are based directly in the city: Tampa Bay Buccaneers, football, NFL and the Tampa Bay Lightning, Hockey, NHL. The third team - the Tampa Bay Flight (Tampa Bay Rays) stands in St. Petersburg. In addition, there are other lower league teams and student teams at the University of South Florida basketball and football.





Others The Best Places to Visit in Florida, U.S.A. .


Florida is one of the constituent states of the United States, located in the southeastern part .
Its name was given by the Spanish explorer Juan Ponce de Leon , who arrived on the coast of the peninsula in a time of the year called in Spain, Pascua Florida, which in Spanish means Easter Flower, the period coincided with the Easter holiday season.
Florida is one of the most popular holiday destinations in the world and the perfect place for honeymoons.
Some attractions that enhance its charm are Walt Disney Park, Magic Kingdom Park and the Busch Gardens.
Florida is more than sun and beach, it is full with freshwater lakes, hills, forests, fascinating cities, thousands of km of rib, numerous bays, islands and a pleasant climate all the year round.
It is an area that includes some of the most visited places in the U.
S.
such as Miami, Pensacola, Daytona Beach, Orlando, Jacksonville, West Palm Beach or Fort Lauderdale.
Miami, known as Millennium and Casablanca America , is an exotic and a cosmopolitan metropolis where Spanish is used as well as English.
The charm of the area is due to various neighborhood skyscrapers that stretch of downtown and up in the trendy.
South Beach is one of the most famous neighborhoods in the area due to the art deco buildings, painted in many colors, beach and palm trees.
Greater Miami is an important commercial, cultural, sports, entertainment and main source of income for the city.
Sandy beaches, the blue sky, the ocean, the palm trees, the sun, restaurants and clubs where you can dance until dawn make it be the perfect destination for fun, relaxation and thrills.
The Port of Miami is the largest marina in the world, here passing over four million passengers annually.
The main attractions in Miami are: Old Spanish Monastery, Holocaust Memorial, the Coral Castle, the Venetian Pool, the Viscaya Museum and Gardens and the Bayfront Park.
Orlando is the best known part of Florida, with numerous theme parks, movie studios, water parks and entertainment venues and Fort Lauderdale's popular especially among families with children and offers a variety of sports and recreational activities.
In the city of Orlando, Disney opened the Magic Kingdom out three more theme parks, two water parks and various buildings such as hotels, shops and golf courses.
The Museum of Science and the Art Museum are two places worth visiting, and at the NASA you can visit the rocket park.
On your itinerary of visits you should not miss the University of Central Florida, the Dendrological Park, World Orchids, collection of Ripley oddities , Holy Land Experience , the Complex and Museum International Train.
Palm Beach is a barrier island located at a distance of 100 km of Miami, surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean and the Intercostal Canal that separates Palm Beach from the cities of West Palm Beach and Worth Laker in the west.
Situated in the Gulf Stream, it is full with lush gardens, palm-lined beaches and an exceptional marine environment.
The city is an impressive cultural heritage with outstanding architecture and many natural beauties.
The main attractions in Palm Beach are: Flagler Museum, Four Arts Gardens, Property Mar-A-Lago and District Worth Avenue and Rodeo Drive.

Images of Tampa, icons, photos, figures, visions, appearances, illustrations, snapshots, captures, canvas and pictures of Tampa - The Best Places to Visit in Florida, U.S.A.

Tampa - City at night
Tampa - City at night

Tampa - City of entertainment
Tampa - City of entertainment

Tampa - One of the largest cities of Florida
Tampa - One of the largest cities of Florida

Tampa - Visited city
Tampa - Visited city

Tampa - Raymond James Stadium
Tampa - Raymond James Stadium

Tampa - Port City
Tampa - Port City

Tampa - Pirate Festival
Tampa - Pirate Festival

Tampa - Pirate Festival
Tampa - Pirate Festival

Tampa - Impressive city
Tampa - Impressive city

Tampa - Stunning building
Tampa - Stunning building

Tampa - Amazing buildings
Tampa - Amazing buildings

Tampa - Notable city
Tampa - Notable city

Tampa - Entertainment Complex
Tampa - Entertainment Complex

Tampa - Beautiful architecture
Tampa - Beautiful architecture

Tampa - Unusual House
Tampa - Unusual House