Philadelphia

Philadelphia is a major urban center in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania.

It is the most populous city in Pennsylvania. It also ranks as the sixth-most populous city in the United States. As of July 2025, the city has an estimated 1,574,281 residents. The larger Philadelphia metropolitan area is called the Delaware Valley. This region has 6.33 million people. It is the ninth-largest metropolitan area in the nation. The city is a vital hub for business, technology, and culture.

The city's history began long before European arrival. The Lenape people, also called the Delaware Indians, lived in the area. They resided in the village of Shackamaxon. The Lenape lived along the Delaware River watershed. During the 18th century, many Lenape were pushed out of the region. This happened as the Thirteen Colonies expanded. Conflicts and new diseases like smallpox also weakened Lenape communities. Eventually, most moved west toward the Ohio River basin or Oklahoma.

European settlers arrived in the Delaware Valley in the early 17th century. Dutch colonists built Fort Nassau in 1623. Swedish settlers later established the colony of New Sweden in 1638. In 1655, the Dutch took control of the Swedish colony. Eventually, England gained control of the area. In 1681, King Charles II granted a charter to William Penn. Penn was an English Quaker who valued religious freedom.

He bought the land from the local Lenape to ensure peace.

He signed a treaty of friendship with Chief Tammany. Penn named the city Philadelphia, which means "brotherly love" in Greek.

Philadelphia became a central location during the American Revolution. In 1774, the First Continental Congress met at Carpenters' Hall. The Second Continental Congress also met in the city.

During this time, leaders formed the Continental Army. They also elected George Washington as commander. On July 4, 1776, they adopted the Declaration of Independence.

This document was adopted inside Independence Hall. The city also served as the first capital of the United States. It held this role from 1775 to 1776. It served as the capital again several times until 1800.

Today, Philadelphia is a leader in science and education. It has 17 four-year universities and colleges. The city is a major center for academic research. It is also a major biotechnology hub. Some people call it "Cellicon Valley." This name refers to its work developing immunotherapies for cancer.

The city's economy is very strong. The Philadelphia metropolitan area has a gross metropolitan product of US$557.6 billion. It is also home to 13 Fortune 500 corporate headquarters. The Philadelphia Stock Exchange is the oldest in the nation.

Transportation and culture define the modern city. 30 Street Station is a major rail hub. It was the third-busiest Amtrak hub in 2023. The city has an international airport and a seaport.

Philadelphia also has a very famous sports culture. It has five professional sports teams.

The fans are known for being very passionate. The city is also famous for its arts. It has more outdoor sculptures and murals than any other U.S. city.

Fairmount Park is one of the largest urban parks in the country.

Philadelphia connects many different systems and ideas. Its location makes it a major venture capital hub. It sits near New York City and Washington, D.C. This proximity helps its financial and regulatory sectors. The city's music history is also very influential. It has shaped American R&B, soul, and rock music. The city contains 67 National Historic Landmarks. These sites, like Independence Hall, connect the past to the present. Philadelphia remains a place of significant economic and cultural power.