Before the arrival of European settlers, Pennsylvania was home to several Indigenous American tribes, including the Eriez, Iroquois, and Delaware. The 1600s brought Dutch, English, and Swedish explorers to the region. The Declaration of Independence was signed in Pennsylvania in 1776, marking a turning point in American history. Pennsylvania became the 2nd U.S. state when it joined the Union on December 12, 1787. The state’s name was chosen to honor Admiral William Penn and his son, with “Pennsylvania” meaning “Penn’s Woodland.”
Pennsylvania is officially called the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and is located in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. It shares borders with Ohio, Maryland, Delaware, New Jersey, West Virginia, and New York. The state is the 33rd largest in the country, covering 46,055 square miles, and is the 6th most populated with approximately 13 million residents. It also ranks as the 9th most densely populated state in the country. The weather capital of the world, Punxsutawney, is found here, famously celebrated every Groundhog Day.
Pennsylvania holds a significant place in the nation’s industrial history. The first oil well in the United States was drilled in Titusville in 1859, which spurred the mining of coal and iron ore and led to the growth of the state’s steel industry. Today, Pennsylvania has a strong and diversified economy with major industries including electronics, food products, chemicals, automobiles, and pharmaceuticals. The agricultural sector remains strong, producing corn, mushrooms, poultry, eggs, dairy, cattle, fruit, soybeans, oats, sweet corn, Christmas trees, and maple syrup.
The state is blessed with countless historic landmarks. The Academy of Music, opened in 1857, is the oldest grand opera house in America. The African American Museum in Philadelphia was the first major city-funded institution dedicated to preserving and exhibiting African American heritage. The Atwater Kent Museum of Philadelphia History, a Greek Revival-style building, was originally home to the Franklin Institute when it opened in 1826. Another significant site is the Benjamin Franklin Craftsman Sculpture, designed by Joe Brown and dedicated on June 27, 1981. Visitors can also marvel at the 20-foot Benjamin Franklin National Memorial, a monumental statue sculpted by James Earle Fraser between 1906 and 1911.
Other notable landmarks across Pennsylvania include Awbury Arboretum, Beth Shalom Synagogue, Bushy Run Battlefield State Park, Carpenter’s Hall, Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul, Chatham Village, Chinatown, the Chinese Friendship Arch, Christ Church, the Curtis Centre, Dream Garden, Dutch Wonderland Amusement Park, Fairmount Park, Fallingwater, and the Joan of Arc Statue. Living in Pennsylvania offers a truly balanced lifestyle. The Pocono Mountains are an essential part of life in the state, attracting visitors year-round for breathtaking scenery and outdoor fun. Whether skiing in winter, hiking in spring, or zip lining in summer, the Poconos offer endless excitement for families, adventurers, and honeymooners alike.
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