When refering to the Tampa Bay area which is made up of 4 counties;
Hernando County
Hillsborough County
Pasco County
Pinellas County
Primary Cities;
Clearwater
St. Petersburg
Tampa
Suburbs between 50,000 to 100,000 Inhabitants;
Bradenton
Brandon
Largo
Palm Harbor
Spring Hill
Town 'n' Country
Suburbs with 10,000 to 50,000 Inhabitants;
Citrus Park
Dunedin
Egypt Lake-Leto
East Lake
Greater Carrollwood
Holiday
Land O' Lakes
Lealman
Lutz
New Port Richey
Greater Northdale
Oldsmar
Palm River-Clair Mel
Pinellas Park
Plant City
Safety Harbor
Seminole
Greater Sun Center (Sun City Center)
Tarpon Springs
Temple Terrace
University
Westchase
Other attractions include;
Busch Gardens, The Florida Aquarium, Museum of Science & Industry and Lowry Park Zoo.
Long established cities, such as Cuban flavored Ybor City, near the bay contain historic architecture. Fresh seafood and locally grown produce are available in many restaurants.
Sports attractions include;
Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Tampa Bay Devil Rays, the Tampa Bay Lightning, and many professional quality golf courses, tennis courts, and pools.
Sports teams;
The Tampa Bay Area is
home to three major professional sports teams and a number of minor-league and
college teams
National
Football League:
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Raymond James Stadium in Tampa
National Hockey League:
Tampa Bay Lightning: St. Pete Times Forum in Tampa
Major League
Baseball:
Tampa Bay Devil Rays: Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg
Arena
Football League:
Tampa Bay Storm: St. Pete Times Forum in Tampa
NCAA Football, Div.1, Big East:
The University of South Florida Bulls: Raymond James Stadium in Tampa
NCAA Basketball, Div. 1, Big East:
The University of South Florida Bulls: The Sun
Dome in Tampa
Major League
Baseball Spring training teams in the area
Spring training in Florida for teams in the Grapefruit League:
The Tampa Bay Devil Rays of Major League
Baseball play spring training games at Al Lang Field in St. Petersburg
The New York Yankees of Major League
Baseball play spring training games at Legends Field in Tampa
The Philadelphia Phillies of Major League
Baseball play spring training games at Bright House Networks Field in Clearwater
The Toronto Blue Jays of Major League
Baseball play spring training games at Knology Park in Dunedin
Minor League
baseball teams in the area include:
Florida State League (Single-A
baseball)
The Tampa Yankees: Legends Field in Tampa
The Clearwater Threshers: Bright House Networks Field in Clearwater
The Dunedin Blue Jays: Dunedin Stadium at Grant Field in Dunedin
Sporting Events
The NCAA football Outback Bowl at Raymond James Stadium is held annually, usually on January 1.
Three Super Bowls have been held in Tampa, in 1984, 1991 and 2001.
Tampa will host Super Bowl XLIII on February 1, 2009
The Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, Florida, Metropolitan Statistical Area, also known as the Tampa Bay area or simply Tampa Bay after the body of
water it surrounds, is a metropolitan area on the Gulf coast of west-central Florida. It includes the cities of Tampa, St. Petersburg and Clearwater, as well as numerous other small municipalities in Pasco, Hernando, Pinellas, and Hillsborough counties. The population for the Tampa Bay area currently stands at 2,589,637; as of a July 4, 2005 estimate. It is experiencing urban sprawl and the area grows at an average of 20,000 to 40,000 residents every year, which is about 200,000 to 400,000 every 10 years. Most of the sprawl has occurred in the more rural areas because of more affordable land; such areas are Lutz, Land O' Lakes, Pasco County and Hernando County. The West Coast of Florida, on the Gulf of Mexico is considered a tourist destination as the weather is semi-tropical and the region contains significant natural beauty, including brilliant sunsets, exotic foliage, and attractive scenery. The Tampa Bay area contains three major public beaches. Coastal access and ports provide the opportunity to observe dolphins, manatees and other sea life, experience deep sea fishing, scuba diving, and join cruises to Gulf of Mexico destinations including Cozumel, Key West and the Cayman Islands.