Allentown

Allentown is a city located in Lehigh County, Pennsylvania, on the Lehigh River, and is part of the Lehigh Valley region, which also includes Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, and Easton, Pennsylvania. The city is situated near the Appalachian Mountains and is about 60 miles northwest of New York City and 90 miles north of Philadelphia. Allentown is close to several major highways, including Interstate 78 and U.S. Route 22, and is served by Lehigh Valley International Airport. The city is also home to Muhlenberg College, a private liberal arts college founded in 1848 by Henry Melchior Muhlenberg.

Geography

The city of Allentown is located in the Lehigh Valley region of Pennsylvania, which is part of the larger Northeastern United States region. The city is situated in the Great Appalachian Valley, near the Blue Mountain (Pennsylvania), and is drained by the Lehigh River, which flows into the Delaware River. Allentown is surrounded by several neighboring cities and townships, including Bethlehem Township, Pennsylvania, Hanover Township, Lehigh County, Pennsylvania, and South Whitehall Township, Lehigh County, Pennsylvania. The city is also close to several major parks and recreation areas, including Trexler Nature Preserve and Lehigh Parkway. Nearby cities include Reading, Pennsylvania, Scranton, Pennsylvania, and Wilmington, Delaware, which are connected to Allentown by Interstate 476 and U.S. Route 222.

History

The area that is now Allentown was originally inhabited by the Lenape Native American tribe, who were later displaced by European-American settlers. The city was founded in 1762 by William Allen (chief justice), a Pennsylvania Supreme Court justice, and was named after him. During the American Revolutionary War, Allentown was a major supply depot for the Continental Army, and was visited by George Washington and other prominent military leaders, including Marquis de Lafayette and Horatio Gates. The city played an important role in the Industrial Revolution in the United States, with the establishment of the Lehigh Canal and the Lehigh Valley Railroad, which connected Allentown to New York City and Philadelphia. The city was also home to several prominent industrialists, including Asa Packer and Charles M. Schwab, who founded the Bethlehem Steel company.

Demographics

As of the 2020 United States Census, the city of Allentown had a population of over 121,000 people, making it the third-largest city in Pennsylvania, after Philadelphia and Pittsburgh. The city has a diverse population, with a mix of European Americans, African Americans, Hispanic and Latino Americans, and Asian Americans. The city is also home to a large Puerto Rican community, and has been recognized as one of the most LGBT-friendly cities in the United States by the Human Rights Campaign. Nearby cities, such as Easton, Pennsylvania, and Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, also have diverse populations, with a mix of Italian Americans, Irish Americans, and German Americans. The city is served by several major hospitals, including Lehigh Valley Hospital and St. Luke's University Health Network, which are affiliated with Temple University and Drexel University.

Economy

The economy of Allentown is diverse, with a mix of manufacturing, health care, and education industries. The city is home to several major companies, including Air Products & Chemicals, PPL Corporation, and Lutron Electronics, which are headquartered in the Lehigh Valley region. The city is also a major center for health care, with several major hospitals and medical centers, including Lehigh Valley Health Network and St. Luke's University Health Network, which are affiliated with University of Pennsylvania and Thomas Jefferson University. The city is served by several major transportation hubs, including Lehigh Valley International Airport and the Norfolk Southern Railway, which connect Allentown to New York City and Philadelphia. Nearby cities, such as Reading, Pennsylvania, and Scranton, Pennsylvania, also have diverse economies, with a mix of manufacturing, mining, and agriculture.

Culture

The city of Allentown has a rich cultural scene, with several major museums and performance venues, including the Allentown Art Museum, the Liberty Bell Museum, and the Miller Symphony Hall, which are affiliated with Kutztown University and Muhlenberg College. The city is also home to several major festivals and events, including the Allentown Fair, the Lehigh Valley Music Festival, and the Pennsylvania Shakespeare Festival, which are held at Cedar Crest College and Lehigh University. The city has a strong sense of community, with several major community organizations, including the United Way of the Greater Lehigh Valley and the Lehigh Valley Community Foundation, which are affiliated with Lafayette College and Moravian College. Nearby cities, such as Easton, Pennsylvania, and Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, also have rich cultural scenes, with several major museums and performance venues, including the State Theatre and the Zoellner Arts Center.

Education

The city of Allentown is served by several major educational institutions, including Muhlenberg College, a private liberal arts college founded in 1848 by Henry Melchior Muhlenberg, and Cedar Crest College, a private women's college founded in 1867. The city is also home to several major public schools, including William Allen High School and Louis E. Dieruff High School, which are part of the Allentown School District. The city is served by several major libraries, including the Allentown Public Library and the Lehigh Valley Library System, which are affiliated with Lehigh University and Kutztown University. Nearby cities, such as Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, and Easton, Pennsylvania, are also home to several major educational institutions, including Lehigh University and Lafayette College, which are affiliated with Princeton University and University of Pennsylvania. The city is also close to several major research institutions, including the National Bureau of Standards and the National Institute of Standards and Technology, which are affiliated with Carnegie Mellon University and Massachusetts Institute of Technology.