Tampa, Florida: Meaning (information, definition, explanation, facts)

Tampa is a city located in Hillsborough County, Florida. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 303,447. The 2003 population estimate is 321,487. It is the largest city in the Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater Metropolitan Area, which is composed of roughly 2.5 million residents. It is located at 27°58' North, 82°29' West. It is the county seat of Hillsborough County⁶.

Geography

Tampa is located at 27°58'15" North, 82°27'53" West (27.970898, -82.464640)¹.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 441.9 km² (170.6 mi²). 290.3 km² (112.1 mi²) of it is land and 151.6 km² (58.5 mi²) of it is water. The total area is 34.31% water.

As of the census of 2000, there are 303,447 people, 124,758 households, and 71,236 families residing in the city. The population density is 1,045.4/km² (2,707.8/mi²). There are 135,776 housing units at an average density of 467.8/km² (1,211.6/mi²). The racial makeup of the city is 64.22% White, 26.07% African American, 0.38% Native American, 2.15% Asian, 0.09% Pacific Islander, 4.17% from other races, and 2.92% from two or more races. 19.29% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There are 124,758 households out of which 27.6% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 36.4% are married couples living together, 16.1% have a female householder with no husband present, and 42.9% are non-families. 33.7% of all households are made up of individuals and 10.2% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.36 and the average family size is 3.07.

In the city the population is spread out with 24.6% under the age of 18, 10.0% from 18 to 24, 32.3% from 25 to 44, 20.5% from 45 to 64, and 12.5% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 35 years. For every 100 females there are 95.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 92.1 males.

The median income for a household in the city is $34,415, and the median income for a family is $40,517. Males have a median income of $31,452 versus $26,133 for females. The per capita income for the city is $21,953. 18.1% of the population and 14.0% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total people living in poverty, 26.8% are under the age of 18 and 15.1% are 65 or older.

Being on the coast, winter sees mild temperatures. Highs stay between 65 and 75°F (around 18-22°C), and lows rarely go below 40°F (about 5°C). The air is significantly humid, and sometimes there is fog at night and mist in the morning. This lasts for about two months. The rest of the year is warm to hot, especially June through September. Typical weather for a peak-of-summer day in July or August involves highs around 90°F (around 32°C) and high humidity. Stepping outside has been likened by some to walking into a sauna. The summer nighttime temperature drops to only around 75°F (23°C). Thunderstorms are a major concern on summer afternoons, especially since Florida is the lightning capital of the U.S. High winds, small hail, and torrential rain often accompany these storms as well, which are generally more severe when blowing in from the land to the east, rather than the water to the west. These storms often survive out over the Gulf at night, where they are easily seen from land.

The University of South Florida (USF) is located in north Tampa, near the Busch Gardens amusement park, and the town of Temple Terrace. The University of Tampa (UT) is located next to downtown Tampa, on the Hillsborough River, where is enters Tampa Bay. UT often is a preferred winter practice destination for northern rowing teams from Ivy League schools.

In the late 1800s and early 1900s, the Ybor City district of Tampa was home to many Cuban and Italian immigrants, most of whom worked in the area's many cigar factories. Illegal bolita lotteries, popular in the mid-20th century, were run by organized criminals in the area. Mafioso Santo Trafficante, Sr. consolidated control of area gangs in 1950, which passed to his son, Santo Trafficante, Jr. upon his death in 1954. The younger Trafficante was reputedly also powerful in pre-Castro Cuba.

With the advent of mechanization, the cigar factories closed, and the area fell into disrepute.

Ybor City experienced a cultural renaissance in the early 1990s, attracting many artistic types and serving as the locus for a thriving rave scene. Drug dealers began showing up in greater numbers and attracting the attention of local politicians and law enforcement. Local ordinances were passed barring all-night dance parties, and some rave clubs had their liquor licenses revoked. Then, the land developers moved in, seeking to capitalize upon the perception of Ybor City as a cutting edge cultural area. Ybor rents increased significantly, and suddenly many artists could no longer afford to live in Ybor. Local developers installed many upscale bars and a trendy shopping complex called Centro Ybor.

Despite the rave scene's collapse and the gentrification of Ybor City, Tampa remains a capital of goth subculture, revolving around a club known as The Castle.

Every Feburary, Tampa hosts the Gasparilla Pirate Festival, which includes a boat parade where hundreds of boats invade the Tampa Bay to land near downtown, and a parade down Bayshore Boulevard, one of Tampa's major streets. The pirate "krewes" (made up of city denizens) throw beads, coins, and other items, as well as shoot blank pistols from floats during the parade. At times, participants in the festivities throw things back.

In years past, a US Navy ship would be attacked by small boats throwing Cuban bread and black bean soup. The Navy would respond with fire hoses but would succumb to the Ybor City Navy, and then surrender to the Elcalde of Ybor City. The sailors would be treated to an evening on the town. This was discontinued after the September 11, 2001 attacks.

Krewe memberships are much desired in many social circles in Tampa, and many celebrate ethnic and cultural themes. Krewe members spend a great deal of money on beads and floats.

A few weeks before the "invasion" and the main parade, there is a family-oriented children's parade, and a few weeks after the invasion, there is a more adult-oriented Night Parade in Ybor City. Krewes have social events and parties throughout the year for members and hold philanthropic everts for favored causes.

The event was first held in May 1904 in Tampa Bay.

Like much of Florida, Tampa's economy is heavily based on services and tourism. There is a huge net influx of cash into the area. Many wealthy people have winter houses there, and the upscale Tampa Palms neighborhood is a favorite destination for retired sports stars. Many corporations, such as large banks and telecommunications companies, maintain regional offices in Tampa, and the city is an extremely popular location for call centers.

Tampa International Airport is the city's main airport: there is also a smaller general aviation terminal, Peter O. Knight Airport.

Tampa is known for a high number strip clubs. Among them the most widely known is Mons Venus. The club and its owner, Joe Redner, have frequently been engaged in legal battles with the City Council, which has tried various means to curb the industry. Tampa's strip clubs are known to have been frequented by visiting celebrities and have been namedropped in the song "Perfect Gentleman" by Wyclef Jean.

MacDill Air Force Base, located in south Tampa, is home to CENTCOM, the Central Command of the United States military; and SOCOM, the Special Operations Command. The base is run by the 6 Air Mobility Wing, and includes both the 310th Airlift Squadron, flying the C-37, and the 91st Air Refueling Squadron, flying the KC-135.

The base flightline was closed in the 1991 round of base closings under the Base Realignment and Closure committee discussions; at the time, the base was used for F-16 training and the air traffic in the Tampa area was considered detrimental to training; the noise produced was also considered inappropriate in a densely settled area. However, despite committee reccomendations, the base remained open to house and support CENTCOM and SOCOM. The flightline was reopened in 1993 for NOAA operations, and in 1996 the air refueling squadron moved to the base from Malmstrom Air Force Base in Montana.

Approximately 14,000 people work at MacDill Air Force Base. It is a significant contributor to Tampa's economy, and the city is very supportive of the military community. In 2003 and 2004, the Tampa Bay area was awarded the Abilene Trophy, which annually honors the most supportive Air Force city in the country.

Tampa is home to three different professional sports teams.

• Major League Baseball: Tampa Bay Devil Rays: Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Florida
• National Football League: Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Raymond James Stadium in Tampa
• National Hockey League: Tampa Bay Lightning: St. Pete Times Forum in Tampa