According to directoryaah, the state of Pennsylvania is one of the 13 founding states of the USA, so this state can look back on a long history that visitors can fathom. One of the largest cities in this state is Philadelphia, where there is a lot to experience, be it shopping or sightseeing. The main attractions in Pennsylvania are the urban sights, but also Lake Erie and the Appalachians.
The Iroquois used to live in this part of the country and Indians still make up a small part of the population today.
The Agriculture plays a very important role in Pennsylvania, so you can see many typical traditional farms there, but also very modern agriculture. For vacationers, the classic farms are certainly more attractive. Pennsylvania is a very historic area with a few big cities and lots of little places of interest. If you want to get to know the USA, you should definitely not miss a visit to this old state.
Pennsylvania – key data
Land area: 119,283 sq km (33rd place of all US states)
Share of water surface: 2.7%
Population: 12.45 million (2008 estimate, ranked 6th of all states in the USA)
Population density: 104 residents per square kilometer (10th place of all states in the USA)
Member of the USA since: December 12, 1787 (as the 2nd state of the USA)
Capital city: Harrisburg (47,196 residents, 2007, metropolitan area 528,892 residents)
Largest city: Philadelphia (1.45 million residents, 2008, metropolitan area 5.84 million residents)
Highest point: 979 m, Mount Davis
Lowest point: 0 m, Delaware River
Governor: Edward G. Rendell (Democrat)
Lieut. Governor: Joseph B. Scarnati III. (Republican)
Local time: CET -6 h. From the second Sunday in March to the first Sunday in November: CET -5 h.
The time difference to Central Europe is -6 h in both winter and summer.
Postal abbreviation: PA
Pennsylvania geography and map
Pennsylvania – the official name is Commonwealth of Pennsylvania – is a state in the northeastern United States. It is one of the thirteen founding states of the United States of America and was named after the English admiral Sir William Penn, the father of the colony founder of the same name. Like New York and New Jersey, Pennsylvania is one of the so-called mid – Atlantic states. The capital of Pennsylvania is Harrisburg. Major cities are Philadelphia in the southeast of the state and Pittsburg in the southwest.
Pennsylvania is bounded in the north by New York and Lake Erie and in the east by New Jersey. Southern neighboring states are Delaware (southeast), Maryland and West Virginia (southwest). To the west, Pennsylvania shares a border with Ohio. The state extends from north to south for 274 kilometers. It extends 455 kilometers from east to west.
Pennsylvania covers a total of 119,283 square kilometers. Of this, around 116,000 square kilometers are land, while around 3,200 square kilometers are covered by water. Lake Erie takes up most of Pennsylvania’s water surface, namely around 1,940 square kilometers.
The most important Pennsylvania’s River is the Susquehanna River. The largest river on the east coast of the United States, at 715 kilometers in length, is not navigable. The Delaware River is also of importance to Pennsylvania. It is also one of the larger rivers on the east coast of the USA. There are also a number of smaller rivers, streams and lakes.
The highest point in Pennsylvania is Mount Davies ; with a height of 979 meters above sea level. While the area of Pennsylvania averages 335 meters above sea level, the deepest point in the state to be discovered on the Delaware is at sea level.
Large parts of Pennsylvania are shaped by Hills and deciduous forests. The state has approximately 8,500 square feet of protected forest and extensive wildlife sanctuaries. In the east of the state are the Appalachians. The Appalachians – Appalachian Mountains – are a wooded low mountain range in the east of North America. It extends over a length of about 2,400 kilometers and extends from the Canadian province of Quebec all the way to Alabama.
In southwest Pennsylvania is an important archaeological site: Meadowcroft. Traces of settlement were found in the rock niche in the 1970s. On the North American continent, they are among the oldest traces of human settlement.
Pennsylvania Landmarks
Pennsylvania is one of the most historic states in America. The American state therefore has a large number of different historical attractions to offer its visitors.
The Liberty Bell is one of the most famous landmarks in the state. The bell rang in Philadelphia to announce the American Declaration of Independence. The Liberty Bell was cast in London in 1752. Because it cracked during the transport to America, it had an inimitable sound. Today the bell is located in the Liberty Bell Center in Philadelphia.
The Kinzua Bridge is also worth seeing. The bridge is the second longest railway bridge in the whole world. It is almost a hundred meters high and seven hundred meters wide.
Various works of art can be viewed at the Philadelphia Museum of Art, which was built in 1876. Bookworms probably won’t want to miss the Edgar Allan Poe National History Site. This is the former home of the world-famous writer.
A visit to the Andy Warhole Msueum, which is dedicated to the pop artist of the same name, will certainly be interesting.
As in other American states, there is also a state capitol here. The Independence Hall is something special. The history of America has its origin in this hall. Many important historical events in America have taken place here to this day.
Tourists interested in nature should definitely not miss the Grand Canyon.
