Explore a destination located in Pennsylvania, United States
The land of Pennsylvania was initially inhabited by Native American's but was settled by William Penn in 1682 after he was granted a charter by King Charles II.[9] Pennsylvania is one of the original thirteen colonies of the United States of America and is home to where the new world became an independent nation. In the Independence Hall located in Philadelphia, the Declaration of Independence was signed, marking the start of the Revolutionary War.[5] Soon after the war, Pennsylvania gained statehood on December 12, 1787.[1] The state is known for its abundance of historic sites such as Independence Hall, Liberty Bell Pavilion, Philadelphia Museum of Art (where the "Rocky Steps" are located), Gettysburg, and Independence National Historical Park.[2] Pennsylvania is a popular tourist destination for people with varying interests, with places to see all over the region. The main attractions are located in the cities of Philadelphia and Pittsburg.[3]
The "Keystone State," formally known as Pennsylvania, is one of the original thirteen colonies of the United States of America. It gained its nickname from its significant role during the founding of the United States of America. Pennsylvania gained its statehood on December 12, 1787, and has continued to grow since its early days in the colonies. The land is located towards the nation's eastern side, sitting close to the coast but does not lie on the coastline.[1]
Pennsylvania has a current population of 12,801,989 residents. The state's capital is Harrisburg. Philadelphia and the surrounding metropolitan area have 1.56 million residents that call it home. The two major cities in Pennsylvania include Philadelphia and Pittsburg.[4] Pennsylvania is full of early American history and played a role in the nation gaining its independence and freedom. As such historic sites and monuments are hot spots for tourists who come to Pennsylvania.[1]
William Penn founded Pennsylvania in 1682, and he requested that Charles II of England name the land Sylvania, a Latin word meaning wood or forest. Instead, Charles called the land Pennsylvania after William's father. William was greatly embarrassed, assuming people would think the settlement was named after him. Penn also settled the city of Philadelphia, one of the most famous and historical cities in the state.[5]
The city of Philadelphia now hosts the majority of the tourism flow in the state and is seen as one of America's most important historical cities. On July 4, 1776, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, the Declaration of Independence was signed by the nation's founding fathers, starting a new era of freedom. This monumental event was accomplished in Independence Hall, which is open to the public for tours. Within those same walls, the United States Constitution was signed eleven years after the Declaration of Independence. Other attractions to the area are the Liberty Bell, Independence National Historical Park, and the Philadelphia Museum of Art, home to the iconic steps used in the American film Rocky. Many tourists who choose to visit the stairs recreate the scene by running up the staircase and putting their hands up with the city in the background.[2]
It is advised to plan a trip to Pennsylvania during late spring, late summer, and early fall, for the most ideal weather. The months of July and August create uncomfortably humid days, while the winter months reach very low temperatures.[6]
Beyond historical sites, there are many places to see and attractions to experience. Some of these include the Eastern State Penitentiary, Andy Warhol Museum, Hershey Park, Philadelphia's Magic Gardens, Cave of Kelpius, Mercer Museum, and Fonthill Castle. Pennsylvania offers places to learn the early history of America, museums, and amusement parks. Some people come to the state for its natural beauty as well.[3]
Pennsylvania is home to the first zoo in America, the Philadelphia Zoo. The city of Hershey smells like chocolate as it has the world's largest chocolate factory. The first public school in the country was in Philadelphia. Several famous people were born in Pennsylvania including Daniel Boone, Kobe Bryant, Milton Hershey, Will Smith, Betsy Ross, and Taylor Swift.[7]
Since the founding of Pennsylvania, the state has managed to retain elements of folk culture among the different ethnic groups. People such as the Amish and Mennonites have stayed true to their traditional ways of life based on their teachings in the bible.[1] 73% of Pennsylvania's population identifies with Christian-based faiths, and about 21% do not affiliate with any religion.[4] Overall the state has a high population of White people, making up 81.6% of the population. The following two highest percentages are African American's, sitting at 12%, and Hispanics, making up 7.8% of the population.
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The economy of Pennsylvania has grown through three distinct eras since the land was first settled in the colonies. In the beginning, a rural agricultural economy, also known as the pioneer era, was the driving force. Farming provided the early means of food for families and towns. The next era moved to industrial economies between the 1830s to 1920. This period focused on the production of machinery, steel, fabricated metals, leather, and apparel. Since then, the economy has seen an increase in service activities that now dominate employment. In comparison, farmers have turned to specialized products instead of general farming like in times past. Pennsylvania is now a major producer of milk, poultry, eggs, and various types of fruit.[1]
Pennsylvania is located near the east coast of the United States towards the upper region but has no direct connection to the ocean. Bodies of water associated with the state include Lake Erie, Allegheny Reservoir, Delaware River, Allegheny River, and Monogahela River. It is surrounded by New York, New Jersey, Maryland, West Virginia, and Ohio. The Appalachian Mountains run through the state from southwest to northeast, making the state full of all different kinds of terrain.[5] Pennsylvania comprises six different land regions, including the Atlantic Coastal Plain Province, Piedmont Province, New England Province, Ridge and Valley Province, Appalachian Plateaus Province, and Central Lowland Province.[9]
Generally, Pennsylvania has a humid continental climate. The weather fluctuates with seasonal temperatures and winds from the west. The state has an average high temperature of 70 degrees Fahrenheit in July, during the peak of the summer, and an average low of 28 degrees in January, during the dead of winter. It is possible for Pennsylvania to experience freeze storms during the same month, turning the cities into ice. The state usually receives 40 inches of precipitation per year.[1] Tropical cyclones can threaten to pass through the states during the summer and fall. The main threat is flooding that comes through widespread rainfall but is also affected when the cyclone's winds approach hurricane force speed.[5]
Initially, the state was covered in trees, but by the 1900s, large parts of the land were cleared for farming. Now half of the state remains covered in trees where lots of the wildlife lives.[1] The forests are made up of eastern white pine, red maple, sycamore, and eastern hemlock. Another common flora in the state is the wild bergamot, black-eyed Susan, Penngift, and Wild bergamot. Multiple forms of wildlife are found in Pennsylvania, with the most common being elk, black bears, red foxes, white-tailed deer, golden eagles, softshell turtles, and venomous eastern Massasauga rattlesnakes.[9]
Pennsylvania is a prime location for hunting and is known as a leading state in such activities.[1] People often refer to Pennsylvania as a game hunter's paradise. The region has 2,100 designated trout streams and two million acres of public hunting grounds available during open seasons. Fishing is a big hit within the state with a wide variety of unique species, including trout, rock bass, bullhead, eel, fallfish, yellow perch, and northern pike. For such activities, it is recommended to visit Allegheny National Forest and Cook Forest.[10]
The history of Pennsylvania starts with the indigenous people to the land. The first inhabitants were the Native Americans, including the Lenape, Susquehannocks, Seneca, Erie, and Oneida tribes. In 1681 William Penn and Englishmen who identified with the Quackers were the first outsiders to settle the land. The new land offered a place for religious freedom, which attracted all kinds of people such as the Amish, Mennonites, and the Dutch. These groups continue to influence life in Pennsylvania today.[9]
Soon after its settlement, the area was named after William Penn's father by Charles II of England. Penn found this to be embarrassing instead of an honor to his father. He was fearful that others would think he named the place after himself instead. The expansion of settlement left the Natives unsettled, resulting in wars such as the French and Indian war. The region eventually became one of the original thirteen colonies. Philadelphia also became home to significant events, such as where the first two Continental Congresses were held, eventually leading to the Declaration of Independence in Independence Hall on July 4, 1776. The United States Constitution was also created and signed in Independence Hall.[5] Pennsylvania became the second state in the United States on December 12, 1787.[1]
During the 1780's Pennsylvania passed a law that led to the gradual abolition of slavery. Pennsylvania was the first state in America to pass an act to abolish slavery; the last slave in the state was recorded in 1847. When the Civil War broke out, Pennsylvania joined the Union to fight against slavery and was where the turning point in the war was held. The Battle of Gettysburg is considered to be the turning point in the Civil War and was fought in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania; this is also where Abraham Lincoln gave his famous Gettysburg Address. The war soon came to a swift end after the victory the Union had in Gettysburg.[5]
After the Civil War, the state saw expansion in the economy, industry, and population. It wasn't until after the world wars that Pennsylvania fell into what is known as the "rust belt," which refers to the decline in manufacturing, becoming victims of foreign competition. As a result, the state turned heavily towards varieties of high-technology industries and the service sector.[1]
As a result of monumental events and wars in Pennsylvania, the state now has multiple historical locations open to the public to visit. Independence Hall is open to visitors, as well as the Liberty Bell. The bell was rung to signify the signing of the constitution and is known for the crack it obtained when ringing to celebrate George Washington's birthday. Gettysburg is considered a must-see location for history fans, providing a scenic destination, heritage and visitor center, as well as a museum.[3] Pennsylvania has grown significantly since William Penn first established it. It has turned from a place of war to a place of growth and commemoration for the past.[4]
The current population of Pennsylvania is 12,801,989 people and is still increasing.[8] The growth rate is fixed on a stable and steady rate but is estimated for little to no growth in the next couple of decades since Pennsylvania has a low birth rate and an older population. There is tremendous growth in race rates, specifically among Hispanics whose population has grown by 82% in just ten years. Pennsylvania has one of the most significant increases of Hispanic population among all the other states.[4]
Another growth in the state is attributed to companies founded throughout the years. Companies established in Pennsylvania are Comcast, Rite Aid, Kraft Heinz, Dick's Sporting Goods, and Hershey, the famous chocolate company.[11] Pennsylvania has developed an industrial economy that is seen as one of the greatest in the world. The state is also now one of the significant contributors to the coal industry, with coal beds making up one-fourth of the area of the state.[1]
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