The geography of Philadelphia is primarily concerned with the latitudinal and longitudinal positions, land and water areas, topographical features, the river drainage system and the neighboring countries.
As an important city in United States of America and the capital city of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia is located on 39°57?12? north latitude and 75°10?12? west longitude. As per the data available at United States Census Bureau, the total area covered by Philadelphia is 142.6 square miles or 369.4 kmē. Out of the total area covered, about 135.1 square miles or 349.9 kmē is land area while the remaining 19.6 kmē, that is 5.29% is water. However, the total area covered by the city as per the 2000 data is 135.09 square miles. The Schuylkill and Delaware River drainage system, together with the Wissahickon, Cobbs and the Pennypack streams form the water body of Philadelphia. In fact, Philadelphia is situated where the twin Rivers Schuylkill and Delaware meet on the eastern frontiers. However, the completion of the dam at Fairmount has led the disappearance of the rapids on River Schuylkill at the East Falls.
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To the west, Philadelphia is bordered by the mighty Appalachian Mountains. The Atlantic Ocean to the eastern part of the city allows fresh breeze to blow over the land, thus, bringing down the temperature and making the climate a moderate one. Philadelphia experiences precipitation all throughout the year, with the maximum during the summers. Snowfall in Philadelphia is more frequent in the northern suburban regions than in the south. Strong wind blow during winters in Philadelphia.
Chestnut Hill is considered to be the highest point in Philadelphia, which rises to an elevation of 445 feet (136 meters) at the junction of the Bethlehem Pike and Germantown Avenue. There is no other lowest point in Philadelphia than its sea levels. The Fall Line location of Philadelphia acts as a breaking point between the Piedmont and the coastal plain of the Atlantic Ocean.
Among neighboring countries of Philadelphia, New Jersey and Burlington County surround the city in the east and Bucks borders the northeastern part. New Jersey fringes the city in the southeastern regions, while the county of Delaware in the western sides and Gloucester County and New Jersey towards the southern part.
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