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Pennsylvania is a state located in the northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. It is bordered by New York to the north and northeast, New Jersey to the east, Delaware to the southeast, Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, and Lake Erie to the northwest. With a population of around 13 million, Pennsylvania is the 33rd most populous U.S. state and the 5th most populous in the Northeast. The state's most populous city is Philadelphia, and its capital and 13th largest city is Harrisburg. Pennsylvania has a long history dating back to its founding in 1681 by William Penn as a refuge for Quakers. Penn named the area "Sylvania" (Latin for "forests"), which King Charles II renamed "Pennsylvania" in honor of Penn's late father. It was one of the original 13 colonies that rebelled against British rule during the American Revolution, and on December 12, 1787, Pennsylvania became the second state to ratify the U.S. Constitution. During the Civil War, Pennsylvania played an important role in the Battle of Gettysburg, which is considered the war's turning point.

Geography and Climate

Pennsylvania stretches over 300 miles from east to west and 175 miles north to south. With 46,055 square miles of land area, it is the 33rd largest state. The highest elevation point is Mt. Davis at 3,213 feet, and the lowest is sea level along the Delaware Estuary. Major rivers include the Allegheny, Monongahela, Ohio, Susquehanna, Delaware, and Schuylkill. The state has a humid continental climate with cold winters and hot, humid summers.

Economy

Some of Pennsylvania's major industries include agriculture, manufacturing, biotechnology, green energy production, and tourism. According to the Pennsylvania Department of Revenue, the top GDP contributors are finance, insurance and real estate, government and government enterprises, education and health services, and trade. Major employers in the state include Walmart, University of Pennsylvania Health System, Giant Eagle, Comcast, Hershey Entertainment and Resorts, and PNC Financial Services. Agriculture contributes around $7.5 billion annually to the state's economy. Dairy, poultry, cattle, nursery, mushrooms, fruit, and vegetables are top products. Manufacturing accounts for 10% of the state's total output. Top manufactured goods include chemicals, transportation equipment, machinery, and food products. Here are some useful economic resources:

Attractions and Tourism

Tourism is Pennsylvania's second-largest industry after agriculture. Popular destinations include the Amish Country around Lancaster, the Pocono Mountains, Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, Gettysburg, Hershey, and Pennsylvania Dutch Country. Iconic attractions include:

Independence Hall in Philadelphia where the Declaration of Independence and U.S. Constitution were signed
Liberty Bell in Philadelphia, an enduring symbol of American independence
Gettysburg National Military Park where the Civil War's Gettysburg battle was fought
Hersheypark in Hershey, a popular chocolate-themed amusement park

Check out Visit Pennsylvania for more things to see and do.

History and Museums

As one of the 13 original colonies, Pennsylvania has a rich history and many historical sites and museums. The Pennsylvania Historical & Museum Commission manages 21 historic sites and museums around the state. Some highlights include:

Landis Valley Village & Farm Museum - Recreates Pennsylvania German village life from 1740 to 1940.
Pennsbury Manor - Recreation of Pennsylvania founder William Penn's manor home in Bucks County.
Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania - Displays over 100 historic locomotives and railroad cars.

The State Archives hold a wealth of historical records dating back to the 17th century.

Public Transportation

Public transportation options in Pennsylvania include:

SEPTA - Services the Philadelphia metropolitan area with bus, subway, trolley, trackless trolley, and regional rail.
Port Authority of Allegheny County - Manages Pittsburgh's public transit with bus, light rail, inclined plane, and more.
Capital Area Transit (CAT) - Provides bus service in Harrisburg and surrounding counties.

Pennsylvania also has an intercity bus system and Amtrak train service connecting major cities.

Sports

Pennsylvania is home to many professional sports teams across different leagues, including:

Philadelphia Phillies - Major League Baseball team
Pittsburgh Penguins - National Hockey League team
Pittsburgh Steelers - National Football League team
Philadelphia 76ers - National Basketball Association team

College sports are also hugely popular, especially football. Top teams include the Penn State Nittany Lions and Pitt Panthers.

Education

Pennsylvania has over 500 public school districts managed by local municipalities. Some of the largest include:

School District of Philadelphia - Serving over 200,000 students in Philadelphia
Pittsburgh Public Schools - Serving around 25,000 students in Pittsburgh
Erie City School District - Serving over 10,000 students in Erie

The Pennsylvania Department of Education provides resources and oversees public education policies across the state. There are also many notable colleges and universities located in Pennsylvania, including the University of Pennsylvania, Penn State, Carnegie Mellon, Lehigh University, and more.

Famous Landmarks

Here are the GPS coordinates for 3 famous landmarks in Pennsylvania:

Liberty Bell Center, Philadelphia - 39.9496° N, 75.1503° W
Independence Hall, Philadelphia - 39.9490° N, 75.1501° W
Hersheypark, Hershey - 40.2912° N, 76.6503° W

Street addresses:

Liberty Bell Center - 526 Market St, Philadelphia, PA 19106
Independence Hall - 520 Chestnut St, Philadelphia, PA 19106
Hersheypark - 100 W Hersheypark Dr, Hershey, PA 17033

County and Local Government

Pennsylvania has 67 counties. The state government is located in Dauphin County in the capital Harrisburg. Dauphin County website: www.dauphincounty.org Address: 2 S 2nd St, Harrisburg, PA 17101 Phone: (717) 780-6300 Pennsylvania has over 2500 municipal governments including cities, towns, boroughs, and townships. These local governments provide many important services for residents. To find your local government website, visit the Pennsylvania municipalities directory.

Additional Resources

Here are some more useful resources about Pennsylvania:

Visit Pennsylvania Facebook page
Pennsylvania Department of Health
Pennsylvania Department of Transportation
Pennsylvania Department of Aging
Pennsylvania Libraries - Find info on local public libraries

Top 10 Most Populous Cities in Pennsylvania

Philadelphia

With a population of 1,583,138, Philadelphia is the largest city in Pennsylvania. Philadelphia served as the capital of the United States from 1790 to 1800 and remains one of the oldest municipalities in the U.S. Founded in 1682 by William Penn, Philadelphia played a vital role in the American Revolution as host to the First and Second Continental Congresses in 1774 and 1775. The city is known for its arts and culture scene, attracting over 39 million domestic tourists in 2016. City Government: https://www.phila.gov/ Tourism: https://www.visitphilly.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cityofphiladelphia/

Pittsburgh

With a population of 301,048, Pittsburgh is the second-largest city in Pennsylvania. Located at the confluence of the Allegheny, Monongahela, and Ohio rivers, Pittsburgh developed a strong steel and aluminum industry in the 19th century. Today, Pittsburgh is home to major technology, healthcare, education, and financial companies. The city has over 90 distinct neighborhoods and is known for its bridges, inclines, Carnegie museums, and sports teams. City Government: https://pittsburghpa.gov/ Tourism: https://www.visitpittsburgh.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CityofPittsburgh/

Allentown

With a population of 121,433, Allentown is the third-largest city in Pennsylvania. Located in the Lehigh Valley region of eastern Pennsylvania, Allentown emerged as a major manufacturing hub in the 19th and 20th centuries. While manufacturing has declined, the city remains a vibrant urban center with a diverse economy centered around healthcare, education, financial services, and distribution. The city is home to Muhlenberg College and the Allentown Art Museum. City Government: https://www.allentownpa.gov/ Tourism: https://www.discoverlehighvalley.com/cities/allentown/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CityofAllentown/

Erie

With a population of 95,508, Erie is the fourth-largest city in Pennsylvania. Located along Lake Erie in the northwest corner of the state, Erie grew as a major Great Lakes port city in the 19th century. Erie remains an important manufacturing and distribution center, producing plastics, locomotives, steel, and medical devices. The city is home to several universities and museums like the Erie Art Museum and Erie Maritime Museum. City Government: https://www.eriepa.gov/ Tourism: https://www.visiterie.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cityofERIE/

Reading

With a population of 88,145, Reading is the fifth-largest city in Pennsylvania. Located in southeastern Pennsylvania, Reading grew as an industrial and transportation hub, serving as a major railroad center. While manufacturing has declined, Reading still produces steel, batteries, pretzels, and beer. The city is also home to the Reading Public Museum and Reading Symphony Orchestra. City Government: https://www.readingpa.gov/ Tourism: https://www.goreadingberks.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CityofReadingPA/

Scranton

With a population of 77,182, Scranton is the sixth-largest city in Pennsylvania. Located in northeastern Pennsylvania, Scranton emerged as a major coal mining and rail center in the 19th and 20th centuries. While manufacturing has declined, Scranton remains an economic and cultural hub in the region. The city is home to several colleges and the Steamtown National Historic Site. City Government: https://www.scrantonpa.gov/ Tourism: https://www.visitnepa.org/cities/scranton/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CityOfScranton/

Bethlehem

With a population of 75,790, Bethlehem is the seventh-largest city in Pennsylvania. Along with the neighboring city of Allentown, Bethlehem forms the urban core of the Lehigh Valley region. Bethlehem emerged as a major steel producer in the 19th and 20th centuries led by the Bethlehem Steel Corporation. While manufacturing has declined, Bethlehem remains an important cultural and economic center in eastern Pennsylvania. City Government: https://www.bethlehem-pa.gov/ Tourism: https://www.discoverlehighvalley.com/cities/bethlehem/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/citybethlehem/

Lower Merion Township

With a population of 59,850, Lower Merion Township is the eighth-largest municipality in Pennsylvania. Located adjacent to western Philadelphia, Lower Merion contains many affluent suburbs like Bala Cynwyd, Gladwyne, and Penn Valley. The township is renowned for its public school system, walkable towns, and stone bridges. Lower Merion is also home to Bryn Mawr College and Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary. Township: https://www.lowermerion.org/ Tourism: https://www.valleyforge.org/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lowermeriontownship/

Altoona

With a population of 43,702, Altoona is the ninth-largest city in Pennsylvania. Situated near the center of the state, Altoona developed as a vital railroad town and remains a major rail transportation hub. While manufacturing has declined, Altoona retains a diversified economy and is home to the Altoona Curve baseball team and Railroaders Memorial Museum. The city is located near popular outdoor recreation areas like Blue Knob State Park. City Government: http://www.altoonapa.gov/ Tourism: https://www.visitblaircounty.com/listing/altoona-railroader-memorial-museum/16/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CityofAltoona/