TAMPA, FLORIDA, WELCOMES YOU

Tampa Bay is a vibrant waterfront area on Florida's beautiful West Coast and the home of some of the best beaches in the country. Settlement in this area began with an Indian fishing village calling it "Tampa" meaning "sticks of fire" where Ponce De Leon was searching for the fountain of youth and Hernando De Soto was looking for gold. Around 1885, Tampa Bay became the "Cigar Capital of the World" before the emergence of Fidel Castro and the embargo on Cuban tobacco. In the early 1900s, it was where the airline industry was born and the main ship building center was located.

Today the city stands beautifully fading into the Old Florida of cattle ranchers, wilderness, and gorgeous bodies of water but, at the same time, is considered modern, metropolitan, and minutes away from the city streets of urban excitement. Among the natural surroundings, it harbors cultural centers, adventure activities, recreation sites, and major sporting events that have turned Tampa Bay into a national spotlight. For more information, please visit www.visittampabay.com.

Tampa Bay's sunny weather is the most attractive feature of this popular city that can be a refreshing change any time of year. In the month of March, there is 71% chance of sunshine making the average highest temperature 76F/26C and the average lowest temperature 56F/13C.

Tampa Bay Convention & Visitors Bureau
400 N. Tampa Street, Suite 2800
Tampa Bay, FL 33602-9843
Call 1-800-44-TAMPA or +813-223-2752
E-mail: www.visittampabay.com