POPULATION: 2.4 million (Urban), 2.9 million (Metro) | TIME ZONE: Eastern | CLIMATE: Humid subtropical showing characteristics of tropical (hot summer days with frequent thunderstorms, less frequent rain in fall and winter, threat of a light winter freeze)
The word "Tampa" may be a Calusa Indian word meaning "sticks of fire." Just one of several possible origins, it's the one we're sticking with because it's the most fun. Sticks of fire is considered a reference to the frequent lightning strikes the area receives during the summer months. It also lights up fans of the NHLs Tampa Bay Lightning, whose sticks of fire have carried them to one Eastern Conference Championship and one Stanley Cup victory.
Back in 1821, the U.S. bought Florida from Spain. Soon after, the government began building forts and trading posts in the Tampa area. Fort Brooke was built in 1824 on Tampa Bay at the mouth of the Hillsborough River. Originally an isolated frontier outpost, the residents all but abandoned Tampa during the Second Seminole War. In 1845, Florida became the 27th state, and Tampa was officially incorporated in 1849. The next year, the population soared to 974 total residents, almost 85% of whom were military personnel.
NICKNAME(S)
Cigar City
Cigar Capital of the World
The Big Guava
Lightning Capital of the World
Americas Next Greatest City
MOTTO(S)
City On The Move (unofficial)
PRO SPORTS TEAMS
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (NFL)
Tampa Bay Rays (MLB)
Tampa Bay Lightning (NHL)
Tampa Bay Storm (AFL)
Tampa Bay Rowdies (NASL)
Clearwater Threshers (Advanced-A)
Dunedin Blue Jays (Advanced-A)
Bradenton Marauders (Advanced-A)
Tampa Yankees (Advanced-A)
Lakeland Flying Tigers (Advanced-A)
RANDOM SONG ABOUT THE CITY
Tampa Bound by Blind Blake
ALSO KNOWN FOR...
Extraordinary summer lightning
Babe Ruths longest home run hit (587 feet)
One of the top sellers of illegal liquor during Prohibition
Phosphate exports
The worlds death metal capitol
Ybor City cigars
Invention of the Cuban sandwich
José Marti Park (technically Cuban territory)
Big Cat Rescue, an accredited sanctuary for big cats
The Gasparilla Pirate Festival
Butterfly McQueen, Aaron Carter, Sarah Paulson, Cannonball Adderly, Nat Adderly, Bubba The Love Sponge, Ray Charles, Hulk Hogan, Gallagher, George Steinbrenner, David Sanborn, Stephen Stills, entirely too many pro ballplayers to mention