Clearwater

Clearwater is a city rich in history yet still connected to tomorrow's technology.

Literally translated "Clear Water" from the native Indian "Pocotopaug", the area was named for its abundant fresh springs along the shore. Settled by colonists in the mid-1830s, it was not until the 1890s that Clearwater gained a reputation as a resort community.

Clearwater's population which is a rich multi-cultural medley of people, continues to grow from the original 343 in 1900 to approximately 110,000, in addition to about 20,000 winter residents each year. Today, fun 'n sun lovers still come from around the world.

Situated midway on Florida's west coast, just 30 minutes west of Tampa and 90 minutes west of Orlando, Clearwater's beach island is connected to its downtown by palm-lined Memorial Causeway.

Clearwater city provides the best of two worlds - a high tech work environment with a relaxed, tropical quality of life.

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At A Glance: The Cities of Pinellas County

The St. Petersburg/Clearwater area, located in Pinellas County on the west coast of Florida, may be touted for its 35 miles of pristine, powder-white beaches and Guinness Book of World Records runs of consecutive sunny days. But this cluster of 26 communities and 20-plus barrier islands facing the sparkling blue Gulf of Mexico and Tampa Bay also boasts an array of city highlights that outdistances many of its Florida cousins.
Clearwater
Clearwater is a city rich in history yet still connected to tomorrow's technology. Literally translated "Clear Water" from the native Indian "Pocotopaug", the area was named for its abundant fresh springs along the shore. Settled by colonists in the mid-1830s, it was not until the 1890s that Clearwater gained a reputation as a resort community. Clearwater's population which is a rich multi-cultural medley of people, continues to grow from the original 343 in 1900 to approximately 110,000, in addition to about 20,000 winter residents each year. Today, fun 'n sun lovers still come from around the world. Situated midway on Florida's west coast, just 30 minutes west of Tampa and 90 minutes west of Orlando, Clearwater's beach island is connected to its downtown by palm-lined Memorial Causeway. Clearwater city provides the best of two worlds - a high tech work environment with a relaxed, tropical quality of life.	Here you'll find everything you could expect from a tropical paradise - and much more. From great festivals like the Clearwater Jazz Holiday, Taste of Clearwater, and Fun-in-Sun, to some of the best beaches in the country, Clearwater has something to offer everyone 365 days of the year.
	City of Clearwater

St. Petersburg
St. Petersburg is the 4th largest city in Florida with a city population of 248,232 inhabitants. St. Pete's waterfront consists of 234 miles of shoreline along Tampa Bay, Boca Ciega Bay, the Gulf of Mexico and intracoastal waterways and domiciles the largest municipal marina in the southeast with 610 boat slips. Nine boat ramp locations are open year round. St. Petersburg - Port As St. Petersburg, founded on June 8, 1888, enters its second golden age, and steps boldly into the 21st century, the downtown core continues its revitalization with projects that include retail shops, restaurants, and movie theaters. More than 900 events bring over 10 million people each year to the sunshine city to experience yacht races, triathlons, baseball, basketball, cycling, cultural exhibits, and music.	The city easily attracts tourists with its cultural district that includes seven museums in the downtown district (including the world-famous Dali museum) as well as city venues such as The Pier, Tropicana Field, Bayfront Center Arena and Mahaffey Theater, Coliseum, Port of St. Petersburg, 18 recreation centers and six public libraries. Moreover, there are 125 city parks on 2,500 acres. These unique parks include the 245-acre Boyd Hill Nature Park preserve, the botanical attraction Sunken Gardens, and the historic Weedon Island Preserve. The Pinellas Trail, a 47-mile hiking/biking trail, connects St. Petersburg with central and north Pinellas County-the longest urban linear trail in the Eastern U.S. Historic neighborhoods continue to be restored, as residents invest in their communities with a great source of pride. Here, young and old, tradition and innovation come together to create a vibrant sense of community.
	Tropicana Field

Tampa
Spanish explorer Ponce de Leon first arrived in the Tampa Bay area in 1513, but the Spaniards focused their attention on settling eastern Florida and left the western areas alone. In 1824, only two months after the arrival of the first American settler, four companies of the U.S. Army established Fort Brooke to protect the strategic harbor at Tampa Bay. Development of the Tampa Bay region began after the territory became part of the United States in 1845. In spite of the blockade and Federal occupation during the Civil War, the area grew steadily. Henry B. Plant's 1884 railroad extension to the Hillsborough River provided access to new areas, and he built lavish hotels along his rail line to attract visitors. Tampa - Skyline Tampa owes its commercial success to Tampa Bay and the Hillsborough River. When phosphates were discovered nearby in the late 1880s, the resulting mining and shipping industries prompted a boom of growth and wealth that lasted through the 1890s. Tampa's port is now the seventh largest in the nation; today phosphate shipping is supplemented by trade in shrimp. A pleasure cruise line operates as well.	Downtown Tampa
	The main Tampa downtown business district has grown phenomenally since the 1960s. Major banks and an increasing number of other corporations occupy large glass, steel and concrete buildings that tower high above the bay. The Tampa Convention Center, overlooking the Hillsborough River, offers meeting facilities and features an erupting fire and water sculpture. Thus Tampa has evolved into a multi-cultural, diverse business center with sustainable communities for its citizens. People of all ages arrive here to escape the worries and winters of wherever they came from, and an increasing number of them stay.
	Ybor City