Toponymist George R. Stewart writes that the name was the result of a miscommunication between the Spanish and the Indians, the Indian word being "itimpi", meaning simply "near it". Whatever its origins, the name first appears in the "Memoir" of Hernando de Escalante Fontaneda (1575), who had spent 17 years as a Calusa captive. He calls it "Tanpa" and describes it as an important Calusa town. While "Tanpa" is the apparent basis for the modern name "Tampa", archaeologist Jerald Milanich places the Calusa village of Tanpa at the mouth of Charlotte Harbor, the original "Bay of Tanpa". A later Spanish expedition failed to notice Charlotte Harbor while sailing north along the west coast of Florida and assumed that today's Tampa Bay was the bay that they had sought. Thus, the name was accidentally transferred north.

Culture and contemporary life
Current popular nightlife districts include Channelside, Ybor City, SoHo, International Plaza and Bay Street, and Seminole Hard Rock. Downtown Tampa also contains some nightlife, and there are more clubs/bars to be found in other areas of the city. According to Maxim, Tampa is ranked 6th in the entire nation for its party scene.

Tourism
 
Busch Gardens AfricaThe city of Tampa operates over 165 parks and beaches covering 2,286 acres (925 ha) within city limits; 42 more in surrounding suburbs, covering 70,000 acres (28,000 ha), are maintained by Hillsborough County. These areas include the Hillsborough River State Park, just northeast of the city. Tampa is also home to a number of attractions and theme parks, including Busch Gardens Africa, Adventure Island, Lowry Park Zoo,Florida Aquarium, and M.O.S.I.
 
Several large scale malls call Tampa and its surrounding areas home. Well known shopping areas include International Plaza and Bay Street, WestShore Plaza, University Mall, Westfield Brandon, and Westfield Citrus Park. Well known Hyde Park Village is an upscale open-air shopping center residing in the neighborhood of Hyde Park. Previously, Tampa had also been home to the Floriland Mall (now an office park), Tampa Bay Center (demolished and replaced with the new Tampa Bay Buccaneers training facility, known as "One Buc Place"), and East Lake Square Mall (now an office park).

Education

Colleges and Universities
 
University of South Florida, is located in Tampa, within close proximity to the city of Temple Terrace and Busch Gardens Africa. It is currently ninth in the nation in terms of enrolled students, with a total of 44,891 students for the 2007 academic year. Its mascot is the Brahman Bull, with green and gold as its colors.

University of Tampa, located across the Hillsborough River from Downtown Tampa, is a private, co-educational university. It is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. UT has over 5,500 students attending. Its mascot is the Spartan, with scarlet, black, and gold as its school colors.

Other colleges and universities
Florida Metropolitan University
Hillsborough Community College (Multiple locations)
Southwest Florida College
Stetson University College of Law
Strayer University
The Art Institute
South University (satellite campus in Tampa)
International Academy of Design & Technology

Public Education
Further information: Hillsborough County Public Schools
 
Henry B. Plant High SchoolPublic primary and secondary education is operated by Hillsborough County Public Schools, officially known as the School District of Hillsborough County (SDHC). It is ranked the eighth largest school district in the United States, with around 189,469 enrolled students. SDHC runs 206 schools, 133 being elementary, 42 middle, 25 High Schools, 2 K-8's, and 4 Career centers. There are 73 additional schools in the district that are charter, ESE, alternative, etc. 12 out of 25 High schools in the SDHC are included in Newsweek's list of America's Best High Schools.

Libraries
Tampa's library system is operated by the Tampa-Hillsborough Public Library System. THPLS operates 28 libraries throughout Tampa and Hillsborough County, including the John F. Germany Main Library in Downtown Tampa. The Tampa library system first started in the early 1900s, with the West Tampa Library, which was made possible with funds donated by Andrew Carnegie

Hotels Lodging
If you are moving to Tampa or visiting and need a temporary place to stay
check out some of the hotels and lodging below. For a complete list
of hotels in Tampa click Tampa Hotels Master List.
Book online or call 877-763-8149 to speak with a travel expert.

Nearby Tampa Hotels

• InterContinental TAMPA
• Quorum Hotel Tampa
• Embassy Suites Hotel® Tampa-Airport/Westshore
• Clarion Hotel Tampa Westshore
• SpringHill Suites by Marriott Tampa Westshore
• Doubletree® Hotel Tampa Westshore Airport
• The Westshore Hotel
• Sheraton Suites Tampa Airport
• Marriott Tampa Westshore
• Hampton Inn Tampa-Int'l Airport/Westshore
• AmeriSuites Tampa Airport / Westshore
• ExtendedStay Tampa / Westshore
• TownePlace Suites Tampa Westshore
• La Quinta Inn Tampa Bay Airport 
• Marriott Tampa Airport  
  
  Tampa Hotels Master List.
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