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Facts
Famous Natives
Flag
Gov
History
Land
Landforms
Lat/Long
Symbols
Time
Travel Info
Weather
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Description
In 1692, King Charles II granted this land to the Quaker leader, William Penn.
Penn's promise of religious freedom proved a magnet for thousands of settlers, and Philadelphia, because of its geographical position, quickly became the cultural, economic and political center of the original thirteen colonies.
As the birthplace of the U.S. Constitution and Declaration of Independence, it's rightfully called the "Birth-state of the
Nation.
From the heroics of Valley Forge - to the bloody Battle of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania witnessed America's many struggles for freedom, and made its own irreplaceable contributions to the future of country,
The shipyards of Philadelphia, the steel mills of Pittsburgh and the northeastern coal mines, would transform this state into one of the world's economic powers.
America's first art museum was built here, along with the its first chamber of commerce, hospital, library, medical college, toll road, and much, much more.
It's the site of significant rivers and beautiful mountains, with over 50% of the land still covered by forests. State parks seem everywhere, and the natural, tranquil beauty of Pennsylvania is difficult to ignore, and impossible to forget.
Read more about Pennsylvania here!
Facts and Figures
Statehood December 12, 1787 (2nd)
Capital Harrisburg
Currency U.S. Dollar
(conversion rates) here
Pennsylvania Quarter (new) here
Language English (official)
Largest Cities (by population) Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Erie, Allentown, Scranton (all cities here)
Lat/Long 40º 28' N, 76º 88' W
Origin of Name Named by both William Penn, and King Charles II in 1681. Penn suggested Sylvania (or woodland), and the King added Penn to sylvania, honoring Penn's father, Admiral William Penn
Population 12,335,091
(6th)
Population Details (and more)
here
Statewide Business (facts & figures)
here
Flag and Symbols Animal Whitetail Deer
Bird Ruffled Grouse
Flag here
Flower Mountain Laurel
Fish Brook Trout
Motto "Virtue, Liberty and Independence"
Nickname "The Keystone State"
Song "Pennsylvania"
State Seal here
Tree Hemlock
Land Statistics Area 46,058 sq miles
(32nd)
(Land) 44,820 sq. miles (Water) 1,239 sq. miles Bordering States (6) New York, New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, West Virginia and Ohio
Number of Counties (67) map here Largest County (by population) Philadelphia, 1,517,550
Highest Point Mt. Davis, 3,213 ft.
Lowest Point Sea Level, Delaware River
Length/Width 283 miles/160 miles
Coastline 0 miles
Shoreline 89 miles
Mean Elevation 1,100 ft.
Geographic Center in Centre
LANDFORMS
Almost totally covered by mountains, most of the state is a series of rolling hills, plateaus and ridges, punctuated by valleys.
Over 50% of the land is still covered by forest land and the only lowlands are in the southeast.
The Appalachian Mountains slice through the center of Pennsylvania, with the Allegheny and Pocano Mountains, the state's most significant subranges. The highest point in the state is Mt. Davis, at 3,213 ft
Pine Creek Gorge, often called the "Grand Canyon of Pennsylvania," is 50 miles in length, and over 1,000 ft deep in places.
No U.S. State is blessed with more deep and useful rivers. The Delaware, along its eastern borders, may well be the most valuable.
Other very significant rivers include the Allegheny, Ohio, Monongahela and Susquehanna.
For a closer look at the topography of Pennsylvania, view this map
Landforms of America here
Landforms of North America here
Pennsylvania Rivers here
Pennsylvania State Parks here
Rivers of North America here
Government Info U.S. President George W. Bush
Pennsylvania Government web site
Pennsylvania General Assembly here
Famous Natives People listed are almost always native to the state. We do, on occasion, include those that have lived within a state for most of their adult life. "A mostly random selection" Louisa May Alcott author Richard Allen religious leader Marian Anderson singer Maxwell Anderson playwright Samuel Barber composer James Buchanan u.s. president Charles W. Cadman composer Simon Cameron political leader Perry Como singer W.C. Fields actor Stephen C. Foster composer Henry Clay Frick industrialist/philanthropist Newt Gingrich speaker of house of representatives, author Henry J. Heinz industrialist/philanthropist Milton S. Hersey industrialist/philanthropist Grace Kelly actress Walter C. Kelly cartoonist Pete Maravich basketball player Mary McCarthy author George Brinton McClellan soldier, hero Andrew William Mellon industrialist/philanthropist Ethelbert W. Nevin composer Maxfield Ferederick Parrish artist Robert E. Peary explorer Max Roberts Rinehart author Charles M. Schwab industrialist James (Jimmy) Stewart actor Bobby Vinton singer John Wanamaker merchant Anthony Wayne soldier Benjamin West painter Andrew Wyeth artist Is someone missing?
Submit your famous person here!
USA States
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Maps
Pennsylvania County Map
here
Pennsylvania Outline Map here
Pennsylvania Maps Univ. of Texas
here
Philadelphia Map here
Pittsburgh Map here
Pennsylvania Highway Map here
Pennsylvania Historic Map here
Pennsylvania Precipitation Map here
Pennsylvania Satellite Map here
Pennsylvania Topographic Relief Map here
U.S. States & Capitol Cities (a test) here
U.S. MAPS (large selection) here
USA MAP Clip Art (FREE) here
CUSTOM USA MAPS created here
Declaration of Independence Recommended Links Pennsylvania Ancestry/Genealogy web site
Pennsylvania Colleges & Universities here
Pennsylvania Civil War History web site
Pennsylvania (Gettysburg) web site
Pennsylvania Historical Society web site
NEWSPAPERS
Philadelphia Inquirer web site
Pittsburgh Post Gazette web site
State of Pennsylvania web site
U.S. National Park Service web site
Time, Weather and more Area Codes here
Time in Pennsylvania
here
Climate
Like all mountainous states, the four seasons differ in intensity based on your location.
Pennsylvania summers are long, and bring hot and humid conditions to the southeast, while in the mountains (central, northeast and west) the days are generally cooler, but still on the humid side.
Fall is pleasant throughout the state, while winter bring snow and much colder temperatures, especially in the mountains.
Overall, January is the coldest month, with average high temperatures in the mid-20s. July is the warmest month, with average high temperatures near 80 degrees.
Summer temps in the 90s are not uncommon in the southeast, and the far southwestern (Pittsburgh area).
Annual precipitation averages near 45 inches in the southeast and in the mountains, while lower amounts are common near its north-central border with New York State.
For a look at Pennsylvania precipitation levels view this map
Current Weather Conditions in:
Timeline of History (1608) Captain John Smith of Virginia visits the area (1609) Henry Hudson arrives, and the land is claimed by the Dutch (1643) Johan Printz establishes the first permanent European settlement (Swedish origin) in the area (1655) The Dutch seize the Swedish settlements. They would later be seized and controlled by the British in 1664 (1682) William Penn arrives from England, and claims the Pennsylvania and Delaware lands given him by King Charles II (1744) Benjamin Franklin establishes the American Philosophical Society in Philadelphia, beginning his long-string of contributions to America (1754) The French and Indian War begins, and George Washington, at the battle of Laurel Mountain, claims the first victory in that war. (1776) The Declaration of Independence is adopted in Philadelphia (1777-78) Severe winter responsible for many deaths in the Continental Army, when George Washington's troops gathered at Valley Forge (1787) Pennsylvania becomes the second state to ratify the U.S. Constitution (1790) At age 84, Benjamin Franklin dies in Philadelphia (1790-1800) Philadelphia is declared the capital of America (1792) The first labor union established by shoemakers in Philadelphia (1856) The first Republic National Convention convenes in Philadelphia (1859) America's first oil well is successfully drilled in Titusville (1863) The Union's Civil War victory at Gettysburg was both a turning point in that war, and a most tragic event, as over 51,000 were killed and wounded during the two-day battle. Later, President Abraham Lincoln would make his famed Gettysburg Address here (1889) Over 2,000 people died in the Johnstown flood (1920) KDKA radio in Pittsburgh becomes the first full-time broadcaster in the country (1940) The initial stages of the Pennsylvania Turnpike open, and becomes the country's first multiple-lane highway (1972) Hurricane Agnes causes severe wind and water damage to the state (1979) A near disaster occurs at the Three Mile Island nuclear plant near Harrisburg (1994) U.S. Representative Tom Ridge is elected governor Traveler Information Attractions (a few major) Gettysburg Battlefield, Independence Hall, Pine Creek Gorge area, Valley Forge, and much, much more
Electricity 110/120V, 60Hz
Times to Travel With hundreds of parks and stunning scenery, the cities of Philadelphia and Pittsburgh, and more historical points-of-interest than any other state, Pennsylvania offers a wonderful family vacation destination at anytime of the year.
Pennsylvania Accommodations
For hotels all around the State of Pennsylvania here!
Gettysburg National Park here
Independence Hall here
Liberty Bell here
Pennsylvania (Experience It) here
Pennsylvania Tourism 800.847.4872
 Pennsylvania Visitor Network here
Philadelphia Tourism here
Pittsburgh Tourism here
Roadside America An online guide to offbeat attractions, and more here
Ski Pennsylvania web site
U.S. National Park Service web site
Visas United States entry requirements are the same in all states, with most foreign travelers requiring a visa.
There are exceptions as Canadian citizens only need proof of that citizenship. Travelers coming to the U.S. for tourism or business for 90 days or less from qualified countries may be eligible to visit the U.S. without a visa.
Currently, 26 countries participate in the Visa Waiver Pilot Program: Andorra, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brunei, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Monaco, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, San Marino, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom.
Visitors entering on the Visa Waiver Pilot Program cannot work or study while in the U.S. and cannot stay longer than 90 days or change their status to another category.
For the latest information, including required documentation, any interested party should apply at the American Embassy or Consulate with jurisdiction over their place of permanent residence.
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