Pinellas 5531308 196396807 2008-03-06T22:46:18Z Vegaswikian 214427 More specific cat, [[Image:Map of Florida highlighting Pinellas County.svg|thumb]]'''Pinellas''' is the name of a peninsula located roughly half-way down the west coast of [[Florida]]. It forms the western boundary of [[Tampa Bay]] and comprises the bulk of [[Pinellas County]]. There is a city named [[Pinellas Park]] in south Pinellas. The peninsula is bounded on the north by [[Pasco County, Florida]], on the northeast by Hillsborough County, and on the east and south by Tampa Bay. It is bounded on the west by the [[Intra-Coastal Waterway]] and [[Gulf of Mexico]]. The Pinellas peninsula connects to the south with Manatee County via the Sunshine Skyway Bridge and connects with Hillsborough County on the east via the Courtney Campbell Causeway, the Howard Frankland Bridge, and the Gandy Bridge. The name derives from "La Punta de Pinal de Jimenez" (Jimenez's Point of Pines,) the name given the entrance to Tampa Bay by Spanish explorers in [[1757]]. The first settlers in the area include Antonio Maximo Hernandez, the McMullen family and Odette Philippe. Maximo Point is the location of Maximo's fishing camp. McMullen's desendents still live in the area. Philippe Park, a Pinellas County Park, and the Philippe Parkway were named for Dr. Philippe. Now highly urbanized, the Peninsula was once renowned for its wildlife, including [[American black bear|Black bear]], the [[Florida panther]], and many species of birds. [[Category:Pinellas County, Florida| ]] [[Category:Geography of the Tampa Bay Area]] [[Category:Peninsulas of Florida]]