Tampa lies at the mouth of the Hillsborough River at the head of Tampa Bay, the largest inlet of the Gulf of Mexico on the Florida Peninsula. Tampa is often associated with Saint Petersburg, which lies across the bay. However, Tampa’s focus on industry and business distinguishes it from its sister city, a leading tourist destination.

Tampa’s climate is humid subtropical. Its weather, moderated by the Gulf of Mexico, is characterized by generally pleasant temperatures, although winter freezes occasionally occur.

Tampa is at the heart of the expanding Tampa-Saint Petersburg metropolitan area that rings Tampa Bay and spreads northward along the Gulf of Mexico. Although the city of Tampa is relatively modest in land area at 281.3 sq km (108.6 sq mi), the metropolitan region encompasses Hillsborough, Pinellas, Pasco, and Hernando counties and has a land area of 6,616.1 sq km (2,554.5 sq mi). In addition to Tampa and Saint Petersburg, other prominent municipalities contained in the metropolitan region include Clearwater, Largo, and Dunedin.

Saint Petersburg (Florida), city in Pinellas County, western Florida. The city is located on Pinellas Peninsula between Tampa Bay and the Gulf of Mexico. It is linked by bridges with Tampa and Bradenton, and by causeways with a string of islets in the Gulf of Mexico. Saint Petersburg is on the Intracoastal Waterway, which passes between the west side of the peninsula and the offshore island chain. The city’s economy is based on the manufacture of electronic and aerospace equipment, boats, and medical goods, and activities associated with telecommunications, information services, and marine research; the city’s economy is bolstered by a strong tourism industry. The area is served by the Tampa International Airport and Saint Petersburg-Clearwater International Airport

Although we try to be as vigilant as possible, we are not responsible for any incorrect information or any misrepresentation that may occur on our site. © 2008 AdNet all rights reserved.