Pinellas County was created in 1911, and was named for the Spanish Punta Piñal ("Point of Pines" or "Piney Point"). It was broken off from Hillsborough County. The Pinellas Peninsula (which divides Tampa Bay from the Gulf of Mexico) and a small part of the mainland was incorporated into Pinellas County. From Pinellas County's early Native American settlements, to the arrival of Spanish conquistadors in the 1500s, to the county's pioneering citrus farmers, railroad barons and entrepreneurial land developers, you'll discover Pinellas County is rich in history and culture. As for nightlife, Pinellas County is a great spot for dancing, dining, and fun.