Tampa, in Hillsborough County, is Florida's third largest city and is the industrial and trade center of Florida's west coast. With a quality of life that's hard to find elsewhere, Tampa Bay attracts more newcomers every day. The balmy climate, low cost of living, and a wide variety of activities and events create the ideal environment, offering something for everyone. The Tampa Bay area is rich in tradition and is one of the southeast's fastest growing regions in terms of population and prosperity.

Climate
Offering bright sunshine, cool breezes and blue skies, Tampa Bay's weather promises to delight. The average year-round temperature is 72 degrees, dipping to a refreshing 60 degrees in January and rising to a warm average of 82 degrees in August.

Arts
Tampa is host to a variety of galleries and museums like the Tampa Museum of Art, Museum of Science and Industry, Museum of African-American Art and USF's Contemporary Art Museum. Music lovers can hear live music from blues to reggae at local venues throughout the Bay area. Busy seasons of plays, musicals, operas and dance recitals excite thousands of theatergoers in alternative and community theaters, as well as the Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center.

Attractions
Tampa is also home to Busch Gardens, a 300-acre African-themed entertainment park. Busch Gardens is ranked among the top zoos in North America and features thrill rides such as KUMBA, one of the largest steel roller coaster in the southeast and MONTU, the largest inverted roller coaster in the world. Lowry Park Zoo is ranked among America's finest medium sized zoos and is a leader in Florida manatee exhibits and research.