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About Pennsylvania
The state of Pennsylvania is officially called the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. It was the second state to form the country, and boasts of being one of the original founding states of the nation. It is also referred to as the 'Keystone State'.
History of Pennsylvania
Before the European contact in the region, several American Indian tribes such as Delaware, Boss, Iroquois, Erie, and Shawnee inhabited the land. In the 1600s, the region was disputed between three powers - the Dutch, the Swedes and the English - who all made their claims on the land. It was in 1664 when the English took over and an official land grant was given in 1681.
The state became the seat of federal government from 1776 - 1800, where the US Declaration of Independence was signed in 1776, and the US Constitution was drawn in 1787. The region became a state on December 12, 1787. The Battle of Gettysburg took place in the state in July 1863, between Union and Confederate forces during the American Civil War.
Geography in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania is located in the northern Mid-Atlantic Region of the United States. It stretches 180 miles north to south and 310 miles east to west. The state borders New York to the north, New Jersey to the east, Lake Erie and Ontario, Canada to the northwest, Delaware to the southeast, Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest and Ohio to the West. It is the 33rd largest by area and the sixth most populous state in the US.
There are five physical regions in the state: Ridge and Valley, the Atlantic Coastal Plain, the Allegheny Plateau, Piedmont and the Erie Plain. At 979 meters, Mount Davis is the tallest mountain in the state. The Allegheny National Forest, established by President Calvin Coolidge, is the state's only national forest.
Travel Destinations in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania features some of the most significant monuments of America's revolutionary history. Among these are the famous Liberty Bell in Philadelphia, which is a national icon of independence. The site of the Gettysburg Battlefield now holds one of the largest outdoor collections of sculptures in the world. The largest city in the state, Philadelphia features more outdoor sculptures and murals than any other city in America.
The Philadelphia Museum of Art, Rodin Museum, Houdini Museum in Scranton, and the Carnegie Museum in Pittsburgh are the most prominent museums in the state. The Splash Lagoon in Erie and the Hershey's Chocolate World in Hershey are major family attractions. All state parks in Pennsylvania charge zero admission fee and remain popular tourist haunts throughout the year.
Transportation in Pennsylvania
- By Air - Philadelphia International Airport (PHL) and Pittsburgh International Airport (PIT) are major airports in the state.
- By Train - The Capitol Limited, Keystone Service, Northeast Regional and Lake Shore Limited are the Amtrak trains serving major cities in Pennsylvania.
- By Road - Lincoln Highway and Interstate Highways (I-76, I-80, I-81, I-79, and I-70) traverse the state.
Education in Pennsylvania
The state has over 500 public school districts and over 100 private higher education institutions. Lincoln University (Pennsylvania), Pennsylvania State University, Temple University and University of Pittsburgh are four prominent universities in Pennsylvania.
Read more here.
Facts about Pennsylvania
- Harrisburg is the capital of Pennsylvania.
- Philadelphia is the only World Heritage City in America.
- The state is home to country's oldest gas station, oldest golf course, and oldest department store. More Facts...
IW20140911
Last Updated on: June 23, 2017
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