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Pennsylvania

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Pennsylvania is a prominent state located in the Mid-Atlantic and Northeastern regions of the United States.

Pennsylvania-counties-map
Pennsylvania-counties-map

It sits within the Appalachian and Great Lakes regions as well. The state shares borders with several different places. To the north lies New York. To the east, it is bordered by New Jersey and the Delaware River. To the southeast, it meets Delaware. To the south, Maryland forms a border. To the southwest, West Virginia is a neighbor. Ohio sits to the west. In the northwest, the state meets the Canadian province of Ontario via Lake Erie.

Flickr - Nicholas T - Endless Mountains Landscape (1)
Flickr - Nicholas T - Endless Mountains Landscape (1)

The geography of Pennsylvania is remarkably diverse. The Appalachian Mountains run through the very center of the state. The Allegheny and Pocono mountains span much of the Northeastern area. Forests are a major part of the landscape, covering close to 60% of the state. Although Pennsylvania has no oceanic shoreline, it does have significant waterfront. This includes the shores of Lake Erie and the tidal Delaware River. The Delaware River eventually reaches the Delaware Bay, which is a marginal bay of the Atlantic Ocean.

Köppen Climate Types Pennsylvania
Köppen Climate Types Pennsylvania

Human history in this region extends back thousands of years. Archaeologists have found signs of human activity that may date back over 10,000 years. The Meadowcroft Rockshelter in Jefferson Township contains some of the earliest known evidence of human habitation in North America. Long before European arrival, major Native American tribes lived here. The Lenape people inhabited the eastern regions, including the Lehigh and Delaware Valleys. They spoke an Algonquian language. The Susquehannock people lived along the Susquehanna River and spoke an Iroquoian language.

Shelter House Emmaus PA 2
Shelter House Emmaus PA 2

European colonization involved several different nations and complex legal claims. Between 1638 and 1655, a Swedish colony called New Sweden controlled parts of the region. Later, the Dutch and English both claimed lands along the Delaware River. In 1681, King Charles II issued a royal land grant to William Penn. This charter made Penn and his heirs the proprietors of the province. Penn named the land Pennsylvania to honor his father, Admiral William Penn. The name literally translates to "Penn's Woods."

William Penn
William Penn

Penn also introduced an innovative government system and promoted religious pluralism. He signed a peace treaty with Tamanend, a Lenape leader, which helped maintain peaceful relations.

Benjamin Franklin statue in front of College Hall
Benjamin Franklin statue in front of College Hall

Pennsylvania played a vital role in the formation of the United States. During the American Revolution, Philadelphia hosted the First and Second Continental Congress. In 1775, the Second Continental Congress formed the Continental Army under George Washington. The following year, leaders adopted the Declaration of Independence in Philadelphia.

Independence Hall
Independence Hall

On December 12, 1787, Pennsylvania became the second state to ratify the U.S. Constitution. The state also experienced the American Civil War. The Battle of Gettysburg in July 1863 was the bloodiest battle of that war. It resulted in over 51,000 Union and Confederate casualties.

Thure de Thulstrup - L. Prang and Co. - Battle of Gettysburg - Restoration by Adam Cuerden
Thure de Thulstrup - L. Prang and Co. - Battle of Gettysburg - Restoration by Adam Cuerden

Economic shifts have defined the state's development over the centuries. During the late 19th and 20th centuries, Pennsylvania was a leader in steel production and manufacturing. This industry helped build the nation's early infrastructure, such as skyscrapers and bridges. This manufacturing power also supplied military hardware during World War I, World War II, and the Cold War.

Bethlehem Steel
Bethlehem Steel

Today, the economy has transformed again. In the 21st century, the state has earned the nickname "Cellicon State." This refers to the central role of Philadelphia and Pittsburgh in developing immunotherapies to treat cancer.

Population and urban centers are major features of modern Pennsylvania. As of the 2020 census, the state has over 13 million residents. This makes it the fifth-most populous state in the country. Philadelphia is the most populous city and the sixth-most populous in the U.S. The Philadelphia metropolitan area, also called the Delaware Valley, is the state's largest metropolitan area.

South Philly HS
South Philly HS

The state capital is Harrisburg.

Flying the Pride Flag over the Capitol (50035197647)
Flying the Pride Flag over the Capitol (50035197647)

Pittsburgh is the second-largest city and serves as the center for the Greater Pittsburgh metropolitan area.

Pittsburgh Steeler fans 15 Oct 2006
Pittsburgh Steeler fans 15 Oct 2006

These cities continue to drive the state's importance in science and industry.

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🖼️ Images & Media (32)
"Pennsylvania" - Regional anthem of...
File:William_Penn.png
William_Penn.png
File:Shelter_House_Emmaus_PA_2.JPG
Shelter_House_Emmaus_PA_2.JPG
File:Independence_Hall.jpg
Independence_Hall.jpg
File:Thure_de_Thulstrup_-_L._Prang_and_Co._-_Battle_of_Gettysburg_-_Restoration_by_Adam_Cuerden.jpg
Thure_de_Thulstrup_-_L._Prang_and_Co._-_Ba...
File:Lincolnatgettysburg.jpg
Lincolnatgettysburg.jpg
File:Bethlehem_Steel.jpg
Bethlehem_Steel.jpg
File:Flight93Crash.jpg
Flight93Crash.jpg
File:Köppen Climate Types Pennsylvania.png
Köppen Climate Types Pennsylvania.png
File:Flickr - Nicholas T - Endless Mountains Landscape (1).jpg
Flickr - Nicholas T - Endless Mountains...
File:Pennsylvania population density 2020.png
Pennsylvania population density 2020.png
Pennsylvania population pyramid.webp

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