Tampa

Tampa is a large port city in Hillsborough County, Florida, sitting along the shores of Tampa Bay and Old Tampa Bay on the Gulf of Mexico. Its downtown area features business towers, residential neighborhoods, and waterfront walkways that follow the path of the Hillsborough River as it flows through the center.

Fort Brooke was built in 1823 as a military post, serving as the foundation for a small settlement that grew around the garrison. The community received its official town charter in 1849, expanding later with the arrival of railroads and the rise of the cigar industry in the late 1800s.

Ybor City preserves the legacy of cigar workers who came from Cuba, Spain, and Italy, bringing their languages, food, and social customs. Visitors today can walk through streets lined with cafés, restaurants, and shops that still reflect this multicultural heritage.

The international airport sits about 6 miles (10 kilometers) west of downtown, offering connections to cities across North America, Central America, and Europe. The city is easy to reach by car, and many waterfront areas and downtown sites are accessible on foot or by local transit.

The Florida Aquarium operates a lab where living coral is grown and later transplanted onto damaged reefs off the coast of Florida. This work helps rebuild damaged underwater landscapes and offers visitors a look at hands-on marine conservation efforts.