Tampa, FL Community Information

For much of its early history Tampa had been a sleepy fishing village, but thanks to the 1883 discovery of phosphate in the Bone Valley region southeast of Tampa, the city quickly became a thriving commerce center. The mineral, which is vital for the production of fertilizers and other products, was soon being shipped out from the Port of Tampa in ever-increasing volume. Today, the city remains one of the world's leading phosphate exporters. Shipping and tourism also play a vital role in the city's growing economy.

Downtown redevelopment

In recent years, the city has poured money into the redevelopment of its downtown, luring new residents to this nonresidential area. Several residential and mixed-development high-rises are in various stages of planning or construction, and a few have already opened. Another initiative is the Tampa Riverwalk, a plan which intends to make better use of the land along the Hillsborough River in downtown where Tampa began. Several museums are part of the plan, including new homes for the Tampa Bay History Center, the Tampa Children's Museum and the Tampa Museum of Art.

The city is divided into many neighborhoods, many of which were towns and unincorporated communities that were annexed by the growing city. The city is divided into the following areas: downtown, New Tampa, West Tampa, East Tampa, North Tampa, and South Tampa. Some well-known communities of Tampa include Ybor City, Forest Hills, Sulphur Springs, Seminole Heights, Tampa Heights, Palma Ceia, Hyde Park, Tampa Palms, College Hill and non-residential areas of Gary and the Westshore Business District. The median home price in Tampa is $219,000.

Tampa Bay is a sports lover's haven. At any point during the year, residents can enjoy rooting on the Devil Rays (MLB), Buccaneers (NFL) and Lightning (NHL). The party really gets jumping in Tampa in January, as rowdy swashbucklers invade the city for the Annual Gasparilla Pirate Festival. So put on your pirate gear and begin your Tampa real estate search today!

'''Sources and more information:'''
www.tampagov.net
www.visittampabay.com
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tampa,_Florida