Pennsylvania (Commonwealth of Pennsylvania)
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| Pennsylvania (Commonwealth of Pennsylvania) | |
|---|---|
| Name | Pennsylvania |
| Official name | Commonwealth of Pennsylvania |
| Capital | Harrisburg |
| Largest city | Philadelphia |
| Area rank | 33rd |
| Population rank | 5th |
| Adm divisions | 67 counties |
| Admission date | December 12, 1787 |
| Admission order | 2nd |
Pennsylvania (Commonwealth of Pennsylvania) is a state in the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast regions of the United States. Founded as a proprietary colony by William Penn, it played a central role in the American Revolution, the drafting of the United States Constitution, and the early industrialization of the nation. Pennsylvania's urban centers such as Philadelphia and Pittsburgh contrast with the agricultural and forested landscapes of the Great Appalachian Valley and the Allegheny Plateau.
History
Pennsylvania's colonial era involved interactions among William Penn, the Province of Pennsylvania, the Quakers, and neighboring colonies like New Jersey and Maryland, culminating in boundary disputes resolved by the Mason–Dixon Line. During the American Revolutionary War Philadelphia served as a meeting place for the Second Continental Congress and hosted the signing of the United States Declaration of Independence and the Treaty of Paris delegations; later Pennsylvania delegates influenced the debates at the Constitutional Convention (1787). The state became a nexus for 19th-century conflicts including the Whiskey Rebellion and pivotal Civil War events such as the Battle of Gettysburg and the leadership of figures like Ulysses S. Grant and Robert E. Lee in campaigns that impacted Pennsylvania territory. Industrialization centered on Pittsburgh's steel mills and Scranton's coal fields, feeding national networks tied to companies like Carnegie Steel Company and individuals such as Andrew Carnegie, while waves of immigrants from Ireland, Italy, Germany, and Poland shaped urban communities. Twentieth-century developments included the influence of labor movements like the Knights of Labor, the rise of corporations such as H. J. Heinz Company and Westinghouse Electric, and postwar suburbanization linked to projects by the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission and federal programs including the New Deal.
Geography and climate
The Commonwealth's physiography includes the Atlantic Coastal Plain along the southeast, the rolling ridges of the Appalachian Mountains, the agricultural Chesapeake Bay watershed regions in south-central counties, and the forested Allegheny Plateau in the northwest. Major rivers include the Delaware River, the Schuylkill River, the Susquehanna River, and the Allegheny River, which converge via the Ohio River system affecting drainage to the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic Ocean. Pennsylvania's climate varies from humid subtropical in the Philadelphia area to humid continental in portions of Harrisburg, Scranton, and Erie, with lake-effect snow along the Lake Erie shore and microclimates influenced by elevation in the Pocono Mountains and the Laurel Highlands.
Demographics
Population centers include Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Allentown, Erie, and Reading, forming diverse metropolitan areas with ethnic communities tracing roots to Irish Americans, Italian Americans, German Americans, Polish Americans, African Americans, and more recent immigrant populations from Mexico and India. Religious institutions such as the Roman Catholic Church, Eastern Orthodox Church, United Methodist Church, and United Church of Christ have historic presence alongside communities like the Amish and Mennonites in Lancaster County. Demographic shifts since the 20th century reflect suburbanization around Philadelphia and Pittsburgh, white-collar growth tied to firms like Exelon and PNC Financial Services, and population declines and revitalization efforts in former industrial towns like Johnstown and Beaver County.
Government and politics
Pennsylvania's constitutional framework traces to the Pennsylvania Constitution of 1776 and subsequent revisions; the state operates under a separation of powers with an elected governor such as recent occupants from the Democratic Party and Republican Party. The Commonwealth sends representatives to the United States Congress via two United States Senate seats and multiple House districts, and has a judicial hierarchy culminating in the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania. Political history features influential figures like Benjamin Franklin in civic affairs, the rise of political machines in Philadelphia and Pittsburgh, contentious presidential contests decided by Pennsylvania electoral votes, and landmark legislation affecting voting and redistricting debated before bodies such as the Pennsylvania General Assembly and adjudicated in courts.
Economy
Pennsylvania's economy historically relied on coal and steel industries concentrated in regions like the Rust Belt; corporations such as U.S. Steel and Bethlehem Steel anchored manufacturing. Diversification produced strengths in finance (with firms like PNC Financial Services), energy (including Natural gas development in the Marcellus Shale), healthcare systems such as UPMC and Jefferson Health, higher education-driven innovation at institutions like University of Pennsylvania and Carnegie Mellon University, and transportation hubs including the Port of Philadelphia and Pittsburgh International Airport. Agriculture remains significant in counties like Lancaster County and production includes dairy, mushrooms, and nursery products marketed through networks involving United States Department of Agriculture standards and trade with partners in the North American Free Trade Agreement era.
Education and culture
Higher education institutions such as University of Pennsylvania, Pennsylvania State University, Carnegie Mellon University, Villanova University, Temple University, and Lehigh University contribute to research, arts, and professional training. Cultural landmarks include the Liberty Bell, Independence Hall, the Philadelphia Museum of Art, the Andy Warhol Museum, and performing arts venues like the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts and the Benedum Center. Sports franchises such as the Philadelphia Eagles, Pittsburgh Steelers, Philadelphia Phillies, and Pittsburgh Penguins play central roles in communal identity alongside festivals rooted in ethnic traditions like Oktoberfest celebrations and fairs in places such as Lancaster County and the Pennsylvania Farm Show. Museums, historical sites, and conservation areas including the Gettysburg National Military Park and the Appalachian Trail segments attract heritage tourism and outdoor recreation.