Tampa

Tampa is a city located on the west coast of Florida, in the United States. It is the largest city in the Tampa Bay Area, which also includes St. Petersburg and Clearwater, and is known for its diverse culture, thriving business community, and beautiful waterfront areas. Here are some key aspects of Tampa:

  1. Location: Tampa is situated on the Gulf Coast of Florida, along the shores of Tampa Bay. It is the county seat of Hillsborough County and is part of the Tampa Bay Metropolitan Area.
  2. Climate: Tampa has a humid subtropical climate characterized by warm to hot summers, mild winters, and frequent afternoon thunderstorms. The city is known for its pleasant weather during the winter months, which attracts many “snowbirds.”
  3. Economy: Tampa has a diverse economy with strong sectors in finance, healthcare, technology, defense, tourism, and port-related industries. Major corporations and financial institutions have a presence in the city.
  4. Port Tampa Bay: The Port of Tampa Bay is the largest port in Florida and one of the largest in the United States. It plays a vital role in trade, with cargo shipments and cruise ship operations.
  5. Tourism: Tampa is a popular tourist destination, with attractions including Busch Gardens Tampa Bay, the Florida Aquarium, Lowry Park Zoo, and beautiful beaches along the Gulf of Mexico. The city also hosts major events like the Gasparilla Pirate Festival and the Outback Bowl.
  6. Culture: Tampa has a rich cultural scene with numerous museums, theaters, and art galleries. The Tampa Museum of Art, Straz Center for the Performing Arts, and Ybor City’s historic district are among the cultural highlights.
  7. Sports: Tampa is home to several professional sports teams, including the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (NFL), Tampa Bay Rays (MLB), and Tampa Bay Lightning (NHL). The city has hosted multiple Super Bowls and the 2021 Stanley Cup Finals.
  8. Education: Tampa is home to several institutions of higher education, including the University of South Florida (USF), the University of Tampa, and Hillsborough Community College.
  9. Transportation: Tampa has a well-developed transportation infrastructure, including the Tampa International Airport, major highways, and a public transportation system known as HART (Hillsborough Area Regional Transit).
  10. Diversity: Tampa is known for its cultural diversity, with a mix of ethnicities and backgrounds. This diversity is reflected in the city’s cuisine, festivals, and neighborhoods.
  11. Ybor City: Ybor City is a historic neighborhood in Tampa known for its rich Cuban and Latin American heritage. It was once the center of the cigar industry in the United States and is now a popular entertainment and dining district.
  12. Natural Beauty: Tampa Bay and the surrounding areas offer a variety of natural attractions, including beautiful beaches, parks, and wildlife preserves.

Tampa is a dynamic and growing city that combines economic opportunity with a vibrant cultural scene and outdoor recreational options. It continues to be an attractive destination for residents and visitors alike.

 

Florida’s Human Trafficking Summit helps detect traffickers and rescue victims
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Florida’s Human Trafficking Summit helps detect traffickers and rescue victims

Florida’s Human Trafficking Summit Aaron Mesmer reports. TAMPA, Fla. – Florida’s Human Trafficking Summit kicked off Tuesday, as experts discussed ways to end human trafficking and help survivors. The conference, which is online and free to the public, brings together survivors, law enforcement, prosecutors, victim advocates and community leaders who are committed to combating human…

Migrant tent city company accused of controversial ties
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Migrant tent city company accused of controversial ties

GardaWorld Federal Services has ties all over — from Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis’ migrant removal program to allegations of mistreating migrant children at the border and labor trafficking at U.S. military bases overseas. The Virginia-based company’s latest tie is to the city of Chicago, where they have a $29.3 million agreement with the city to…

Anti-Sex Trafficking Hero a Guest Speaker at Tampa Fundraising Event
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Anti-Sex Trafficking Hero a Guest Speaker at Tampa Fundraising Event

Sarasota, Florida, Sept. 19, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Florida is the #3 state for sex trafficking, and coupled with the timing of this past summer’s release of the blockbuster action drama film, Sound of Freedom that outperformed big-budget features like Mission: Impossible at the domestic box offices, what better time to honor the inspiration behind the…

Lawyer who prosecuted first federal human trafficking case in Georgia to speak at free event
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Lawyer who prosecuted first federal human trafficking case in Georgia to speak at free event

Experts have said that Savannah has an acute sex trafficking problem. Compared to communities of similar size and population, Savannah is a target largely because of the ports, the I-95 corridor and the tourism industry, in addition to relatively close proximity to major sex trafficking hubs, such as Miami, Atlanta and Tampa. On Sept. 20,…

Florida keeps using unpaid prison labor to prepare for hurricanes
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Florida keeps using unpaid prison labor to prepare for hurricanes

  As Floridians prepared for Hurricane Idalia to make landfall on the upper central coast earlier this week, several counties deployed unpaid prison labor, as they have in the past, to fill the sandbags used to prevent flood damage. At least four counties — including Lake County, Polk County, Taylor County and Flagler County — relied on…

Human Trafficking in Tampa Bay
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Human Trafficking in Tampa Bay

Human trafficking is a significant concern in the United States, but the situation is worse for some states. According to the Florida Alliance to End Human Trafficking, Florida ranks as the third highest state for human trafficking cases and second for labor trafficking cases. Lurlene Diaz, the Executive Director for Created Women, joined Gayle Guyardo…

Understanding the realities of human trafficking in Tampa Bay
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Understanding the realities of human trafficking in Tampa Bay

Tampa (BLOOM) – Human trafficking is a pervasive and heinous crime that plagues our world, exploiting millions of individuals each year. To combat this issue effectively, it is crucial to gain a deep understanding of its realities. By shedding light on the scope, victims, contributing factors, and counter-trafficking efforts, we can work towards eradicating this…

DeSantis signs more laws to combat human trafficking in Florida
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DeSantis signs more laws to combat human trafficking in Florida

TAMPA, Fla. (Tampa Bay Now) – New laws are now in place to fight human trafficking in the state. Governor Ron DeSantis signed a series of bills this morning cracking down on human trafficking education and safety regulations. “I think we’ve been kind of fighting human trafficking in the dark, and with this data we…

Human trafficking bill a milestone – but also missing something – Orlando Sentinel
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Human trafficking bill a milestone – but also missing something – Orlando Sentinel

Editor’s note: PBJ Learning does not support “abolition,” per se. That said, we welcome all the groups that are working to make a difference, and you should make up your own mind as to how you decide to get involved. I’ve been on the frontlines of the fight against human trafficking in Florida for nearly…

Nonprofit teaches kids how to avoid online tactics of human traffickers
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Nonprofit teaches kids how to avoid online tactics of human traffickers

Staying one step ahead of the tactics of human traffickers is part of the job for Selah Freedom Prevention Coordinator Hilda Arreola.