Update 28/06/07:
The beta is now over everyone, the full version is now out:
(From Totalbf2.com):

Quoted

Following a successful beta, the final version of Highway Tampa for Battlefield 2 is now ready to roll out. DICE, along with our update partner Intel, created this new map focused on tank battles that echo those of Battlefield 1942. Exploding shells ring out across the desert as tank columns meet in furious battle amidst the swirling sands.

Tweaks since the beta version include more infantry cover to help them hold onto flags, improved jeep spawning to better prevent stranded infantry and a number of glitch fixes. We wish to thank the Battlefield community for all the time they put in playing the map and posting feedback to the forums. We're sure you'll enjoy the epic vehicular warfare in this new map.

Only a few mirrors at the moment:
Client: http://largedownloads.ea.com/pub/misc/BF…ampa_Update.zip
Server: http://largedownloads.ea.com/pub/misc/BF…nked_Server.zip
TotalBF2 (filecloud): http://www.filecloud.com/files/file.php?user_file_id=503061

Original article from BFportal

(The following is from when the map was in beta and will be kept for reference):

From TotalBF2:

Quoted

Soldiers! Download And Roll Out!
Through a collaborative effort Intel and EA DICE are rolling out a new Battlefield map for players to battle on. Highway Tampa is a vehicle focused map that offers a game experience similar to classic 1942 desert warfare. Explore this stretch of the Arabian Peninsula in your choice of vehicle and work with your team mates to conquer the map for your team. Download the beta, join in the servers, and drive, fly, and destroy your way to victory. Then drop by the EA forums and let us know what you think. Also keep your eyes to the future as this stretch of desert will see combat across two generations of Battlefield.

Official EA news thread
Official EA feedback thread

I'm currently downloading from the official EA server though there's also a filecloud mirror. I'm surprised about this and I'm sure you people saying that BF2 is deader than the dodo will be too.

Map description(/briefing):



16, 32 and 64 respectively:

16:


32:


64:


Initial spawn screen:


USMC Main base:


MEC main base:


Now in the middle of taking the MEC screenshot there I noticed something a little off. Now what I'm about to tell you will probably make you very angry but here it is:



That's right, advertising. If this is dynamic or not, I do not know.

Youtube video: http://youtube.com/watch?v=P_tqpc6A2Bg
High quality version: (Megaupload - 24MB): http://www.megaupload.com/?d=0CNRPMR9

Initial impressions: This seems the brain child of people who wanted a new MEC map, but it's the sort of map I would expect to see in say Desert Conflict rather than anything else. When I get back from testing this map and reporting some feedback, I'll let you know how it plays but I'd also like to note that from the spawn screens we might expect to see some RIB battles as they engage head on from the North and South for control of the Refinery outpost.

Further impressions: This map has one jet fighter per team maximum and many tanks. It almost resembles an Armoured Fury map with the sheer amount of armour however this map has no attack helicopters whatsoever, only transport helicopters, that will perhaps shift the balance of ground power. All in all it seems a rather balanced map with the F-18 going up against the MiG-29. There also seems to be no mobile anti-aircraft on the main bases. The orange ambience resembles Kubra Dam along with (as I stated previously) Desert Conflict.

64 Multiplayer impressions: This is where the map truly shows how unique it is. Half the server will be anti-tank due to the sheer amount of tanks. In the game I played I quickly found the APC was a good choice due to its infantry clearing ability and quick manoeuvrability allows it to clear the anti tankers and dodge the anti-tank missiles. The centre outpost, the Refinery is where this shows. Most people hide at the top and take out incoming armour. If you can aim well you can use the huge amount free space you have to keep suppressive fire on the anti-tankers.

Update (06/06/07): It seems the map has a bit of history to it as explained in this thread dating back to 2005. Although the thread is now closed so you can't post in it, it leaves to speculation that DICE may have more maps that they never decided to release.

I've updated the thread with the screenshots I had promised.

It is ranked. There's even a "Highway Tampa" time wins/losses on BFHQ. Imagine it like a patch but it adds nothing but a map. You just run the installer in the .zip.