Saint Petersburg

Saint Petersburg (pop. 249,900), city on the central west coast of Florida, situated on the Pinellas peninsula opposite Tampa, on Tampa Bay of the Gulf of Mexico. Native Americans lived in the area since 5000 B.C. It was explored by the Spanish in the 1500s, but was first settled by European Americans in the 1840s. Russian-born Peter A. Demens, who built the railroad that connected the settlement to central Florida (1888), named the city for his birthplace. The location and unusually sunny climate have made the city a major resort and retirement community since the early 1900s. Major attractions include yacht races and spring training camps for professional baseball teams. Eckerd College and St. Petersburg Junior College are located in the city.

See also: Florida.