Tampa Bay

 water, seaport, bay, estuary

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Tampa Bay is a large bay and estuary along the Gulf of Mexico on the west coast of Florida surrounded by Pinellas, Hillsborough, and Manatee Counties. It is the largest open-water estuary in Florida, extending approximately 35 miles inland from the gulf and is 5 to 10 miles wide along most of its length. Depths average about 12 feet, except in the channels which are dredged and maintained to allow safe passage for ships to the Port of Tampa.

Tampa Bay is comprised of four open-water segments:
* Hillsborough Bay
* Old Tampa Bay
* Middle Tampa Bay
* Lower Tampa Bay

The name "Tampa Bay" is often used to refer collectively to the communities surrounding the bay, namely the cities of Tampa, St. Petersburg, and Clearwater, and several other smaller municipalities and populated areas.