About the City

With a population of over 2.5 million people, Tampa Bay is the second largest metropolitan area in the fourth largest state in the nation. Located on Florida’s central west coast, the area boasts warm weather year-round. Hillsborough and Pinellas Counties, home to the cities of Tampa, St. Petersburg and the Beaches, both rank in the top 25 metro areas for population, number of households, effective buying income and total retail sales. Tampa is the sixth fastest-growing city in the United States and ranks second in commercial real-estate growth.

Also located in the Tampa Bay Area is the MacDill Air Force Base, headquarters of US Special Operations Forces and home of United States Central Command, which is responsible for Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan and Operation Iraqi Freedom in Iraq. The base has brought recent international events close to home.

The Port of Tampa, Florida’s largest seaport and the 12th largest port in the country, brings a growing international business presence to the region. Tampa Bay’s diverse population, significant ties to Latin America, and increasing international business and cultural opportunities testify to the need for an international education program such as Global Classrooms.