Pennsylvania

Capital: Harrisburg

State abbreviation/Postal code: Pa./PA

Governor: Tom Wolf, D (to Jan. 2019)

Lieut. Governor: Michael J. Stack III, D (to Jan. 2019)

Senators: Bob Casey, D (to Jan. 2019);
Pat Toomey, R (to Jan. 2023)

U.S. Representatives: 18

Entered Union (rank): Dec. 12, 1787 (2)

Present constitution adopted: 1968

Motto: Virtue, liberty, and independence

State symbols:

Nickname: Keystone State

Origin of name: In honor of Adm. Sir William Penn, father of William Penn. It means “Penn's Woodland.”

10 largest cities (2010 est.): Philadelphia, 1,526,006; Pittsburgh, 305,704; Allentown, 118,032; Erie, 101,786; Reading, 88,082; Scranton, 76,415; Bethlehem, 71,329; Lancaster, 56,348, Harrisburg, 48,950, Altoona, 49,523

Land area: 46,055 sq mi (119,283 km²)

Geographic center: In Centre Co., 2¹/2 mi. SW of Bellefonte

Number of counties: 67

Largest county by population and area: Philadelphia, 1,526,006 (2010); Lycoming, 1,235 sq mi.

State forests: over 2 mil. ac.

State parks: 116

Residents: Pennsylvanian

2015 resident population est.: 12,802,503

2010 resident census population (rank): 12,702,379 (6). Male: 6,190,363 (48.7%); Female: 6,512,016 (51.3%). White: 10,406,288 (81.9%); Black: 1,377,689 (10.8%); American Indian: 26,843 (0.2%); Asian: 349,088 (2.7%); Other race: 300,983 (2.4%); Two or more races: 237,835 (1.9%); Hispanic/Latino: 719,660 (5.7%). 2010 percent population 18 and over: 78.0; 65 and over: 15.4; median age: 40.1.

See additional census data

View full size map of Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania State History

Rich in historic lore, Pennsylvania territory was disputed in the early 1600s among the Dutch, the Swedes, and the English. England acquired the region in 1664 with the capture of New York, and in 1681 Pennsylvania was granted to William Penn, a Quaker, by King Charles II.

Philadelphia was the seat of the federal government almost continuously from 1776 to 1800; there the Declaration of Independence was signed in 1776 and the U.S. Constitution drawn up in 1787. Revolutionary War fame, and Gettysburg, site of the pivotal battle of the Civil War, are both in Pennsylvania. The Liberty Bell is located in a glass pavilion across from Independence Hall in Philadelphia.

The nation's first oil well was dug at Titusville in 1859, and the mining of iron ore and coal led to the development of the state's steel industry. More recently Pennsylvania's industry has diversified, although the state still leads the country in the production of specialty steel. The service, retail trade, and manufacturing sectors provide the most jobs; Pennsylvania is a leader in the production of chemicals and pharmaceuticals, food products, and electronic equipment.

Pennsylvania State Facts

Pennsylvania's 63,200 farms (occupying nearly 8 million acres) are the backbone of the state's economy, producing a wide variety of crops. Leading commodities are dairy products, corn, cattle and calves, mushrooms, poultry and eggs, a variety of fruits, sweet corn, potatoes, maple syrup, and Christmas trees.

Pennsylvania's rich heritage draws billions of tourist dollars annually. Among the chief attractions are the Gettysburg National Military Park, Valley Forge National Historical Park, Independence National Historical Park in Philadelphia, the Pennsylvania Dutch region, the Eisenhower farm near Gettysburg, and the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area.

Famous Pennsylvania natives and residents:

• Louisa May Alcott novelist;
• Samuel Barber composer;
• Daniel Boone frontiersman;
• Kobe Bryant basketball player;
• James Buchanan former president;
• Rachel Carson biologist and author;
• Grace Princess of Monaco;
• Lee Iacocca auto executive;
• Reggie Jackson baseball player;
• Gene Kelly dancer and actor;
• Arnold Palmer golfer;
• Fred Rogers childrens' TV host, clergyman, and neighbor;
• Betsy Ross flagmaker;
• James Stewart actor;
• Andrew Wyeth painter.

More on Pennsylvania:

View Pennsylvania's Monthly Temperature Records

View historical biographies of Pennsylvania's Congressional members

Encyclopedia: Pennsylvania

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