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{{US state |Name = Pennsylvania| Fullname = Commonwealth of Pennsylvania| Flag = Flag of Pennsylvania.svg | Flaglink = [Flag of Pennsylvania | Seal = State seal of Pennsylvania.png | Map = Map_of_USA_PA.svg | Nickname = Keystone State, Quaker State,Coal State, Oil State | Motto = Virtue, Liberty and Independence| Capital = [Harrisburg, Pennsylvania | LargestCity = [Philadelphia | Governor = [Ed Rendell (D)| Senators = [Arlen Specter (R)[Bob Casey, Jr. (D) | Date of statehood:December 12,1787 | PostalAbbreviation = PA | TradAbbreviation = Penna. | State Motto = [Virtue, [Liberty, and [Independence | State Song = ''Pennsylvania'' | AreaRank = 33rd | TotalAreaUS = 46,055 | TotalArea = 119,283 | LandAreaUS = 44,816| LandArea = 116,074 | WaterAreaUS = 1,239 | WaterArea = 3,208 | PCWater = 2.7 | PopRank = 6th | 2000Pop = 12,281,054 | DensityRank = 10th | 2000DensityUS = 274.02 | 2000Density = 105.80 | AdmittanceOrder = 2nd | AdmittanceDate = December 12 [ | TimeZone = [North American Eastern Standard Time Zone: [UTC-5/[Daylight saving time | Longitude = 74° 41′ W to 80° 31′ W | Latitude = 39° 43′ N to 42° 16′ N| WidthUS = 280 | Width = 455 | LengthUS = 160 | Length = 255 | HighestPoint = Mount Davis (Pennsylvania){{cite web| year =[29 April [ | url =http://erg.usgs.gov/isb/pubs/booklets/elvadist/elvadist.html#Highest| title =Elevations and Distances in the United States| publisher =U.S Geological Survey| accessdate = November 7 | accessyear = 2006--> | HighestElevUS = 3,213 | HighestElev = 979 | MeanElevUS = 1,099 | MeanElev = 335 | LowestPoint = [Delaware River | LowestElevUS = 0 | LowestElev = 0 | ISOCode = US-PA | Website = state.pa.us -->

The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania (IPA: /IPA chart for English/) is a U.S. state located in the Middle Atlantic States of the United States of America.

One of Pennsylvania's nicknames is the Religious Society of Friends State; in colonial times, it was known officially as the Province of Pennsylvania, The Quaker Province in recognition of Quaker William Penn, Quaker William Penn's Frame of Government of Pennsylvania Frame of Government constitution for Pennsylvania that guaranteed Freedom (political) of conscience. Penn knew of the hostility Pennsylvania translates to "Penn's woods." Digital History: Persecution of the Quakers Quakers faced when they opposed rituals, oaths, violence, and ostentatious frippery. The Quaker Province 1681–1776

Pennsylvania has also been known as the keystone (architecture) State since 1802, PHMC: State Symbols based in part upon its central location among the original Thirteen Colonies forming the United States. It was also a keystone state economically, having both the industry common to the Northern United States, making such wares as Conestoga wagons Lowell Tribune, March 26, 2002 and Long rifle, Lancaster rifle and the agriculture common to the Southern United States, producing feed, fiber, food, and tobacco. PHMC: Agriculture in Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania has National Parks Service: Our Fourth Shore of coastline along Lake Erie and NOAA Office of Ocean and Coastal Resources of shoreline along the Delaware Estuary. Philadelphia is Pennsylvania's largest city and is home to a major seaport and shipyards on the Delaware River.

Geography Pennsylvania is north to south and east to west. Pennsylvania geography Of a total , are land, are inland waters and are waters in Lake Erie. 2006 Statistical Abstract: Geography & Environment: Land and Land Use It is the 33rd largest state in the United States. The highest point of above sea level is at Mount Davis (Pennsylvania), which was named for its owner, John Davis, a schoolteacher who fought for the Union Army at the Battle of Gettysburg. The lowest point is at sea level on the Delaware River, and the approximate mean elevation is . 2006 Statistical Abstract: Geography & Environment:Extreme and Mean Elevations Pennsylvania is in the North American Eastern Time Zone time zone. Pennsylvania Time Zone



The original southern boundary of Pennsylvania was supposed to be at 40° North latitude, Penn's Charter but as a result of a bad faith compromise by Lord Baltimore during Cresap's War, the king's courts moved the boundary south Cecil County, Maryland to 39° 43' N. The city of Philadelphia, at 40°0'N 75°8'W, Places Named: Philadelphia would have been split in half by the original boundary. While he was a captive, Cresap, a Marylander, was paraded through Philadelphia. He taunted the officers by announcing that Philadelphia was one of the prettiest towns in Maryland.

Climate Pennsylvania's diverse geography also produces a variety of climates. Straddling two major zones, the southeastern corner of the state posses the warmest climate. Greater Philadelphia lies at the southernmost tip of the Humid continental climate zone, with some characteristics of the Humid subtropical climate that lies in Delaware and Maryland to the south. Moving toward the mountainous interior of the state, the climate becomes markedly colder, number of cloudy days increases, and winter snowfall amounts are greater. Western areas of the state, particular cities near Lake Erie can receive over 100 inches of snowfall annually, and the entire state receives plentiful rainfall throughout the year.

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Before the Commonwealth was settled, the area was home to the Lenape (also known as Lenni Lenape), Susquehannock, Iroquois, Eriez, Shawnee, and other Native Americans in the United States tribes. Pennsylvania Indian tribes



In 1681, Charles II of England granted a land charter Charter for the Province of Pennsylvania to William Penn, to repay a large debt owed to William's father, William Penn (admiral). This was one of the largest land grants to an individual in history. Quakers and the political process The land included present-day Delaware and Pennsylvania. It was called Pennsylvania, meaning "Penn's Woods", in honor of Admiral Penn.

Penn established a government with two innovations that were much copied in the New World: the county commission, and freedom of religious conviction. Writer Murray Rothbard in his four-volume history of the U.S., Conceived in Liberty, refers to the years of 1681–90 as "Pennsylvania's Anarchist Experiment." Pennsylvania's Anarchist Experiment

Between 1723 and when it was shut down by Parliament with the Currency Act of 1764, the Pennsylvania Colony made its own paper money to account for the shortage of actual gold and silver. The paper money was called Colonial Scrip. The Colony issued "bills of credit" which were as good as gold or silver coins because of their legal tender status. Since they were issued by the government and not a banking institution, it was an interest-free proposition, largely defraying the expense of the government and therefore taxation of the people. It also promoted generally employment and prosperity since the Government used discretion and did not issue too much to inflate the currency. Benjamin Franklin had a hand in creating this currency, of which he said its utility was never to be disputed and it also received the high praise of Adam Smith.

After the Stamp Act Congress of 1765, Delegate John Dickinson (delegate) of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania wrote the Declaration of Rights and Grievances. The Congress was the first meeting of the thirteen colonies, called at the request of the Massachusetts Assembly, but only nine colonies sent delegates. Library of Congress timeline 1764–1765 Dickinson then wrote Letters from a Farmer in Pennsylvania, To the Inhabitants of the British Colonies, which were published in the Pennsylvania Chronicle between December 2, 1767, and February 15, 1768. Dickinson Letters

When the Founding Fathers of the United States were to convene in Philadelphia in 1774, 12 colonies sent representatives to the First Continental Congress. Library of Congress timeline 1773–1774 The First Continental Congress drew up and signed the United States Declaration of Independence in Philadelphia, Library of Congress: Primary documents — The Declaration of Independence but when that city was captured by the British, the Continental Congress escaped westward, meeting at the Lancaster, Pennsylvania courthouse on Saturday, September 27, 1777, and then to York, Pennsylvania. There they drew up the Articles of Confederation that formed 13 independent colonies into a new nation. Later, the United States Constitution was written, and Philadelphia was once again chosen to be cradle to the new American Nation. Nine Capitals of the United States

Pennsylvania became the second state to ratify the U.S. Constitution on December 12, 1787, Pennsylvania ratifies the Constitution of 1787 five days after Delaware became the first.



For half a century, the Commonwealth's legislature met at various places in the general Philadelphia area before starting to meet regularly in Independence Hall in Philadelphia for 63 years. Pennsylvania's Capitals But it needed a more central location, as for example the Paxton Boys massacres of 1763 had made them aware. So, in 1799 the legislature moved to the Lancaster, Pennsylvania Courthouse, and finally in 1812 to Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. The legislature met in the old Dauphin County, Pennsylvania Court House until December 1821, when the Redbrick Capitol was finished. It burned down in 1897, presumably due to a faulty flue. The legislature met at Grace Methodist Church on State Street (still standing), until the present capitol was finished in 1907.

The Pennsylvania State Capitol drew rave reviews. Its dome was inspired by the domes of St. Peter's Basilica in Rome and the United States Capitol. President of the United States Theodore Roosevelt called it the "the most beautiful state Capitol in the nation", and said "It's the handsomest building I ever saw" at the dedication. In 1989, the New York Times praised it as "grand, even awesome at moments, but it is also a working building, accessible to citizens ... a building that connects with the reality of daily life."

Pennsylvania accounts for 9% of all wooded areas in the United States

James Buchanan, of Lancaster, Pennsylvania, was the only bachelor President of the United States. James Buchanan White House biography The Battle of Gettysburg — the major turning point of the Civil War — took place near Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. Battle of Gettysburg

Demographics The center of population of Pennsylvania is located in Perry County, Pennsylvania, in the borough of Duncannon, Pennsylvania .

As of 2006, Pennsylvania has an estimated population of 12,440,621, which is an increase of 35,273 from the previous year, and an increase of 159,567 since the year 2000. Net Human migration from other states resulted in a decrease of 27,718, and Immigration to the United States from other countries resulted in an increase of 126,007. Net migration to the Commonwealth was 98,289. Migration of native Pennsylvanians resulted in a decrease of 100,000 people. In 2006, 5.00% of Pennsylvanians were foreign born (621,480 people). Components of Population Change

Foreign-born Pennsylvanians are largely from Asia (36.0%), Europe (35.9%), Latin America (30.6%), 5% coming from Africa, 3.1% coming from North America, and 0.4% coming from Oceania.



Pennsylvania's reported population of Hispanics, especially among the Asian, Hawaiian and White races, has markedly increased in the last years. Annual Estimates of the Population It is not clear how much of this change reflects a changing population, and how much reflects increased willingness to self-identify minority status.

{{USCensusPop] (27.66%), Irish American (17.66%), Italian American (12.82%), English Americans (8.89%) and Polish American (7.23%). American Community Survey 2003 Multi-Year Survey for Pennsylvania

Religion Of all the colonies, only in Rhode Island was religious freedom as secure as in Pennsylvania - and one result was an incredible religious Multiculturalism, one which continues to this day. Religious diversity in Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania's population in 2000 was 12,281,054. Of these, 8,448,193 were estimated to belong to some sort of organized religion. According to the Association of religion data archives at Pennsylvania State University, reliable data exists for 7,116,348 religious adherents in Pennsylvania in 2000, following 115 different faiths. The ARDA Their affiliations, including percentage of all adherents, were:These statistics are based on 7,116,348 of the estimated 8,448,193 religious adherents in Pennsylvania, and only the largest of 115 different faiths are reported here. Data excludes most of the historically African-American denominations. Public Law 94-521 prevents the Census Bureau from collecting better data, so this information comes from the Association of religion data archives at Pennsylvania State University.) Terms used to describe organizations are ARDA's, and may not be the group's own preferred name.

Pennsylvania is also noted for having the highest concentration of an Amish population in the United States.http://www.800padutch.com/amish.shtml

While Pennsylvania owes its existence to Quakers and many of the older trappings of the Commonwealth are rooted in the teachings of the Religious Society of Friends (as they are officially known), practicing Quakers are a small minority today.

Economy 's closed manufacturing facility in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. This site will become the site of a new multi-million dollar casino in 2007.Pennsylvania's 2005 total gross state product (GSP) of $430.31 billion Bureau of Economic Analysis ranks the state 6th in the nation. If Pennsylvania were an independent country, its economy would rank as the 17th largest in the world, ahead of Belgium, but behind the Netherlands. On a per-capita basis, though, Pennsylvania's per-capita GSP of $34,619 ranks 26th among the 50 states.

Philadelphia in the southeast corner and Pittsburgh in the southwest corner are urban manufacturing centers, with the "t-shaped" remainder of the Commonwealth being much more rural; this dichotomy affects state politics as well as the state economy. Appeals court races wrap up with focus on voter mobilization Philadelphia is home to 10 Fortune 500 companies, Fortune 500 with more located in suburbs like King of Prussia, Pennsylvania; it's a leader in the financial Philadelphia stock exchange and insurance industry. Tragedy of 9/11 pummels insurance industry Pittsburgh is home to 6 Fortune 500 companies, including U.S. Steel, PPG Industries, H.J. Heinz, and Alcoa. In all, Pennsylvania is home to 49 Fortune 500 companies.

As in the US as a whole and in most states, largest private employer in the Commonwealth is Wal-Mart, followed by the University of Pennsylvania, United Parcel Service and Giant Food of Carlisle, Pennsylvania (called Stop and Shop in other states). The largest manufacturing employer is Merck. Largest Employers in Pennsylvania

Manufacturing States cannot thrive by "taking in each other's laundry", Community Economic Analysis but manufacturing imports money and jobs from the rest of the world. Pennsylvania's factories and workshops manufacture 16.1% of the Gross State Product (GSP); only 10 states are more industrialized. Northeast-Midwest Institute calculations based on data from the BEA While Educational Services is only 1.8% of the Commonwealth's GSP, that's twice the national average; only Massachusetts, Rhode Island and Vermont outrank Pennsylvania. Although Pennsylvania is known as a coal state, mining only amounts to 0.6% of the Commonwealth's economy, compared to 1.3% for the country as a whole..

Agriculture Pennsylvania ranks 19th overall in agricultural production, Agricultural Census 2002 but 1st in Mushrooms, 3rd in Christmas trees and layer chickens, 4th in Nursery (horticulture) and sod, milk, maize for silage, and horse production. Only about 9,600 of the Commonwealth's 58,000 farmers have sales of $100,000 or more, and with production expenses equaling 84.9% of sales, most not only have a net farming income below the $19,806 that marks poverty for a family of four, Poverty levels but are liable for a 12.4% self-employment tax as well. IRS: Tax Guide for farmers The average farmer is 53 and getting older, Center for Rural Pennsylvania as young Pennsylvanians find low farming income a tough row to hoe. Mid-Atlantic Farm Policy Leadership ForumMany farms in the southeastern part of the Commonwealth have been sold to housing developers in the past years. This is largely due to rising taxes and land prices, reflecting high demand for land in the nations fifth largest metropolitan area. Bucks and Montgomery counties were the first to suburbanize, but this trend is now extending to Chester, Lancaster, Berks, and Lehigh counties.

Tourism Pennsylvania draws 2.1% of the Gross State Product from Accommodation and Food Services. Only Connecticut, Delaware and Iowa have lower numbers, and Nevada gets a whopping 14.2% of their GSP that way. Philadelphia draws tourists Philadelphia tourism to see the Liberty Bell, Independence Hall (United States), the Franklin Institute and Rocky Steps of the Philadelphia Museum of Art, while The Poconos Poconos tourism attract honeymooners, golfers and fishermen, and the Delaware Water Gap Delaware Water Gap and Allegheny National Forest appeal to boaters, hikers, and nature lovers. Another attraction are the many covered bridges in the state, as Pennsylvania has more covered bridges than any other state. FHWA Covered Bridge Manual Fourteen slots casinos, the majority of which are either in the process of being awarded licenses from the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board or are under construction, are expected to make up a good portion of tourism in the Commonwealth.

The Commonwealth launched an extensive tourism campaign in 2003 under the direction of the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development. An extensive website VisitPA has been established to promote visits to the state and new license plates feature the VistPA.com website.The Plain sects region in south-central Pennsylvania is a favorite for sightseers. AAA: Favorite vacation spots The Pennsylvania Dutch, including the Amish, the Mennonites and at least 35 other sects, Page 10, The Riddle of Amish Culture, 2001. ISBN 0-8018-6772-X are common in the rural areas around the cities of Lancaster, Pennsylvania, York, Pennsylvania, and Harrisburg, with smaller numbers extending northeast to the Lehigh Valley and up the Susquehanna River valley.

The term "Dutch", when referring to the Pennsylvania Dutch, means "German" or "Teutonic" rather than "Netherlander". Germans, in their own language, call themselves "Deutsch", which in English became, misleadingly, "Dutch". Definition of "dutch" The Pennsylvania German language is a descendant of German language, in the West Central German dialect family.

Politics Government of the Commonwealth Pennsylvania has had five Pennsylvania Constitutions during its statehood: 23 Pennsylvania Law Weekly 324 (March 27, 2000) 1776, 1790, 1838, 1874, and 1968. Prior to that, the province of Pennsylvania was governed for a century by a Frame of Government, of which there were four versions: 1682, 1683, 1696, and 1701.

The capital of the Commonwealth is Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. The legislature meets in the new State Capitol there.

The current list of Pennsylvania Governors is Ed Rendell, a former head of the Democratic National Committee who began as a popular District Attorney and mayor in Philadelphia. State Elected Officials

Pennsylvania has a bicameral legislature set up by Commonwealth's constitution in 1790. The original Frame of Government of William Penn had a unicameral legislature. Pennsylvania State Archives The Pennsylvania General Assembly includes 50 Pennsylvania Senate Pennsylvania Senators and 203 Pennsylvania House of Representatives. Pennsylvania House of Representatives Joseph B. Scarnati III is currently President Pro Tempore of the State Senate, Pennsylvania Senate Domenic Pileggi the Majority Leader, David Brightbill and Robert J. Mellow the Minority Leader. Robert Mellow Dennis M. O'Brien is Speaker (politics) of the House of Representatives, John Perzel with H. William DeWeese as Majority Leader Samuel Smith and Samuel H. Smith as Minority Leader. William DeWeese The 2006 election resulted in the Democrats regaining control of the House and the balance remaining unchanged in Republicans' favor in the Senate.

Pennsylvania is divided into 60 judicial districts, Judicial districts most of which (except Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania and Allegheny County, Pennsylvania Counties) have magisterial district judges (formerly called district justices and justices of the peace), who preside mainly over minor criminal offenses and small civil claims. Most criminal and civil cases originate in the Courts of Common Pleas, which also serve as appellate courts to the district judges and for local agency decisions. The Superior Court hears all appeals from the Courts of Common Pleas not expressly designated to the Commonwealth Court or Supreme Court. It also has original jurisdiction to review Warrant (law)s for Telephone tapping surveillance. The Commonwealth Court is limited to appeals from final orders of certain state agencies and certain designated cases from the Courts of Common Pleas. The Supreme Court of Pennsylvania is the final appellate court. All judges in Pennsylvania are elected; the chief justice is determined by seniority.

Sales tax provides 39% of Commonwealth's revenue; personal income tax 34%; motor vehicle taxes about 12%, and taxes on cigarettes and alcohol beverage 5%.Revenue Department Releases August Collections (09/01/2006) http://www.revenue.state.pa.us/revenue/CWP/view.asp?Q=261929&A=208 Retrieved 25 September 2006.

Counties, municipalities, and school districts levy taxes on real estate. In addition, some local bodies assess a income tax on personal income. Generally, the total wage tax rate is capped at 1% of income but some municipalities with home rule charters may charge more than 1%. Thirty-two of the Commonwealth's sixty-seven counties levy a property tax on stocks, bonds, and similar holdings.

Representation in the 110th Congress Pennsylvania's two United States Senate in the 110th Congress are Arlen Specter and Bob Casey, Jr..Pennsylvania's U.S. House of Representatives for the term beginning January 2007 are Bob Brady (Pennsylvania's 1st congressional district), Chaka Fattah (Pennsylvania's 2nd congressional district), Phil English (Pennsylvania's 3rd congressional district), Jason Altmire (Pennsylvania's 4th congressional district), John E. Peterson (Pennsylvania's 5th congressional district), Jim Gerlach (Pennsylvania's 6th congressional district), Joseph A. Sestak (Pennsylvania's 7th congressional district), Patrick Murphy (politician) (Pennsylvania's 8th congressional district), Bill Shuster (Pennsylvania's 9th congressional district), Chris Carney (Pennsylvania's 10th congressional district), Paul E. Kanjorski (Pennsylvania's 11th congressional district), John Murtha (Pennsylvania's 12th congressional district), Allyson Schwartz (Pennsylvania's 13th congressional district), Mike Doyle (Pennsylvania's 14th congressional district), Charlie Dent (Pennsylvania's 15th congressional district), Joe Pitts (Pennsylvania's 16th congressional district), Tim Holden (Pennsylvania's 17th congressional district), Tim Murphy (congressman) (Pennsylvania's 18th congressional district), and Todd Russell Platts (Pennsylvania's 19th congressional district). Congressional Directory Online

Regional strength In the past decade, no political party has been clearly dominant in Pennsylvania. This, combined with Pennsylvania's rank of 6th in the country in population, has made it one of the most important swing states. Democrats are strong in urban Philadelphia and the areas of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Reading, Pennsylvania, Allentown, Pennsylvania, Erie, Pennsylvania, Johnstown, Pennsylvania, and Scranton, Pennsylvania/Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania. Republicans are generally dominant in the vast rural areas that make up the balance of the Commonwealth. Traditionally, Republicans have also fared well in the densely populated and wealthy suburbs of Philadelphia and Pittsburgh, but in the 1990s and 2000s many of these suburbs began to associate more with the Democratic Party.

In the 2004 Presidential Election, Senator John F. Kerry beat President George W. Bush in Pennsylvania 2,938,095 (50.92%) to 2,793,847 (48.42%).

Important cities and municipalities Municipalities in Pennsylvania are incorporated as city of several classes, Borough (United States)#Pennsylvania, as Township (Pennsylvania) of several classes, or under home rule charters. A "Village", often identified by a roadside sign, is unincorporated, and is merely a locale without distinct boundaries.

There is some confusion about the number of "towns" in Pennsylvania. In 1870, Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania, the county seat of Columbia County, Pennsylvania was incorporated as a town, and is recognized by state government publications as "the only incorporated town" in Pennsylvania. The Pennsylvania Manual 117 Pennsylvania Local Government Fact Sheet, 2005 "Local Government Entities in Pennsylvania" and "Municipal Statistics" in Legislator’s Municipal Deskbook for Pennsylvania However, in 1975, McCandless, Pennsylvania, in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania adopted a home rule charter under the name "Town of McCandless". Bloomsburg McCandless

The ten most populated cities in Pennsylvania, in order are: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Allentown, Pennsylvania, Erie, Pennsylvania, Reading, Pennsylvania, Scranton, Pennsylvania, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, Lancaster, Pennsylvania, Altoona, Pennsylvania, and Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.

Recreation Pennsylvania is home to the nation's first zoo, the Philadelphia Zoo. Other notable zoos include Claws 'n Paws, Erie Zoo, Pittsburgh Zoo, and Hersheypark. The Commonwealth boasts some of the finest museums in the country. One of the unique museums is the Houdini Museum in Scranton, the only building in the world devoted to the legendary magician. It is also home to the National Aviary, located in Pittsburgh.

All 121 List of Pennsylvania state parks in Pennsylvania feature free admission.

Pennsylvania offers a number of notable amusement parks, including Camel Beach, Conneaut Lake Park, Dorney Park & Wildwater Kingdom, Dutch Wonderland, DelGrosso Amusement Park, Hershey Park, Idlewild Park, Kennywood, Knoebels, Lakemont Park, Sandcastle Waterpark, Sesame Place, Great Wolf Lodge and Waldameer Park. Pennsylvania also is home to the largest indoor waterpark resort on the East Coast, Splash Lagoon in Erie.

There are also notable music festivals that take place in PA. These include Musikfest, the Philadelphia Folk Festival, Creation Festival, and Purple Door.

Pennsylvania is a great state for sportsmen and sportswomen. There are nearly 1 million licensed hunters. Whitetail deer, cottontail rabbits, squirrel, turkey, and grouse are common game species. Pennsylvania is considered one of the finest wild turkey hunting states in the Union, alongside Texas and Alabama. Sport hunting in Pennsylvania is a massive boost for the Commonwealth's economy. A report from The Center for Rural Pennsylvania (A Legislative Agency of the Pennsylvania General Assembly) reported that hunting, fishing, and furtaking generated a total of $9.6 billion statewide.

Sports Pennsylvania is home to many professional sports teams, including the Philadelphia Phillies and Pittsburgh Pirates of Major League Baseball, the Pittsburgh Steelers and Philadelphia Eagles of the National Football League, the Philadelphia 76ers of the National Basketball Association, the Pittsburgh Penguins and Philadelphia Flyers of the National Hockey League, and the Philadelphia Soul of the Arena Football League. Among them, these teams have accumulated 6 World Series Championships (Pirates 5, Phillies 1), 14 National League Pennants, 3 pre-Super Bowl era NFL Championships (Eagles), 5 Super Bowl Championships (Steelers), 4 NBA Championships (76ers), and 4 Stanley Cup winners (Flyers 2, Penguins 2).

College football is also very popular in Pennsylvania. The Penn State University Nittany Lions are coached by Joe Paterno who led Penn State to two national championships (1982 & 1986) as well as five undefeated seasons (1968, 1969, 1973, 1986 and 1994). Penn State plays its home games in the second largest stadium in the United States, Beaver Stadium, that seats 107,282. In addition, the University of Pittsburgh Pitt Panthers have won nine national championships (1915, 1916, 1918, 1929, 1931, 1934, 1936, 1937 and 1976) and have played eight undefeated seasons (1904, 1910, 1915, 1916, 1917, 1920, 1937 and 1976). Pitt plays its home games at Heinz Field, a facility it shares with the Pittsburgh Steelers. Other Pennsylvania schools that have won national titles in football include Lafayette College (1896) and the University of Pennsylvania (1895, 1897, 1904 and 1908).

College basketball is also popular in Pennsylvania, especially in the Philadelphia area where five universities, collectively termed the Philadelphia Big 5, have a rich tradition in NCAA Division I basketball. National titles in college basketball have been won by the following Pennsylvania universities: La Salle University (1954), Temple University (1938), University of Pennsylvania (1920 and 1921), University of Pittsburgh (1928 and 1930) and Villanova University (1985).

In motorsports, the Mario Andretti dynasty of race drivers is from Nazareth, Pennsylvania. Notable Racetracks in Pennsylvania include the Jennerstown Speedway in Jennerstown, Pennsylvania, the Lake Erie Speedway in North East, Pennsylvania, the Mahoning Valley Speedway in Lehighton, Pennsylvania, the Motordome Speedway in Smithton, Pennsylvania, the Mountain Speedway in St. Johns, Pennsylvania, the Nazareth Speedway in Nazareth, Pennsylvania; and the Pocono Raceway in Long Pond, Pennsylvania, which is home both the Pennsylvania 500 and the Pocono 500.

In Baseball the Little League World Series is held in Williamsport, where it was founded. Also the First world Series between the Boston pilgrims and Pittsburgh Pirates was played in {{US state |Name = Pennsylvania| Fullname = Commonwealth of Pennsylvania| Flag = Flag of Pennsylvania.svg | Flaglink = [Flag of Pennsylvania | Seal = State seal of Pennsylvania.png | Map = Map_of_USA_PA.svg | Nickname = Keystone State, Quaker State,Coal State, Oil State | Motto = Virtue, Liberty and Independence| Capital = [Harrisburg, Pennsylvania | LargestCity = [Philadelphia | Governor = [Ed Rendell (D)| Senators = [Arlen Specter (R)[Bob Casey, Jr. (D) | Date of statehood:December 12,1787 | PostalAbbreviation = PA | TradAbbreviation = Penna. | State Motto = [Virtue, [Liberty, and [Independence | State Song = ''Pennsylvania'' | AreaRank = 33rd | TotalAreaUS = 46,055 | TotalArea = 119,283 | LandAreaUS = 44,816| LandArea = 116,074 | WaterAreaUS = 1,239 | WaterArea = 3,208 | PCWater = 2.7 | PopRank = 6th | 2000Pop = 12,281,054 | DensityRank = 10th | 2000DensityUS = 274.02 | 2000Density = 105.80 | AdmittanceOrder = 2nd | AdmittanceDate = December 12 [ | TimeZone = [North American Eastern Standard Time Zone: [UTC-5/[Daylight saving time | Longitude = 74° 41′ W to 80° 31′ W | Latitude = 39° 43′ N to 42° 16′ N| WidthUS = 280 | Width = 455 | LengthUS = 160 | Length = 255 | HighestPoint = Mount Davis (Pennsylvania){{cite web| year =[29 April [ | url =http://erg.usgs.gov/isb/pubs/booklets/elvadist/elvadist.html#Highest| title =Elevations and Distances in the United States| publisher =U.S Geological Survey| accessdate = November 7 | accessyear = 2006--> | HighestElevUS = 3,213 | HighestElev = 979 | MeanElevUS = 1,099 | MeanElev = 335 | LowestPoint = [Delaware River | LowestElevUS = 0 | LowestElev = 0 | ISOCode = US-PA | Website = state.pa.us -->

The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania (IPA: /IPA chart for English/) is a U.S. state located in the Middle Atlantic States of the United States of America.

One of Pennsylvania's nicknames is the Religious Society of Friends State; in colonial times, it was known officially as the Province of Pennsylvania, The Quaker Province in recognition of Quaker William Penn, Quaker William Penn's Frame of Government of Pennsylvania Frame of Government constitution for Pennsylvania that guaranteed Freedom (political) of conscience. Penn knew of the hostility Pennsylvania translates to "Penn's woods." Digital History: Persecution of the Quakers Quakers faced when they opposed rituals, oaths, violence, and ostentatious frippery. The Quaker Province 1681–1776

Pennsylvania has also been known as the keystone (architecture) State since 1802, PHMC: State Symbols based in part upon its central location among the original Thirteen Colonies forming the United States. It was also a keystone state economically, having both the industry common to the Northern United States, making such wares as Conestoga wagons Lowell Tribune, March 26, 2002 and Long rifle, Lancaster rifle and the agriculture common to the Southern United States, producing feed, fiber, food, and tobacco. PHMC: Agriculture in Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania has National Parks Service: Our Fourth Shore of coastline along Lake Erie and NOAA Office of Ocean and Coastal Resources of shoreline along the Delaware Estuary. Philadelphia is Pennsylvania's largest city and is home to a major seaport and shipyards on the Delaware River.

Geography Pennsylvania is north to south and east to west. Pennsylvania geography Of a total , are land, are inland waters and are waters in Lake Erie. 2006 Statistical Abstract: Geography & Environment: Land and Land Use It is the 33rd largest state in the United States. The highest point of above sea level is at Mount Davis (Pennsylvania), which was named for its owner, John Davis, a schoolteacher who fought for the Union Army at the Battle of Gettysburg. The lowest point is at sea level on the Delaware River, and the approximate mean elevation is . 2006 Statistical Abstract: Geography & Environment:Extreme and Mean Elevations Pennsylvania is in the North American Eastern Time Zone time zone. Pennsylvania Time Zone



The original southern boundary of Pennsylvania was supposed to be at 40° North latitude, Penn's Charter but as a result of a bad faith compromise by Lord Baltimore during Cresap's War, the king's courts moved the boundary south Cecil County, Maryland to 39° 43' N. The city of Philadelphia, at 40°0'N 75°8'W, Places Named: Philadelphia would have been split in half by the original boundary. While he was a captive, Cresap, a Marylander, was paraded through Philadelphia. He taunted the officers by announcing that Philadelphia was one of the prettiest towns in Maryland.

Climate Pennsylvania's diverse geography also produces a variety of climates. Straddling two major zones, the southeastern corner of the state posses the warmest climate. Greater Philadelphia lies at the southernmost tip of the Humid continental climate zone, with some characteristics of the Humid subtropical climate that lies in Delaware and Maryland to the south. Moving toward the mountainous interior of the state, the climate becomes markedly colder, number of cloudy days increases, and winter snowfall amounts are greater. Western areas of the state, particular cities near Lake Erie can receive over 100 inches of snowfall annually, and the entire state receives plentiful rainfall throughout the year.

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Before the Commonwealth was settled, the area was home to the Lenape (also known as Lenni Lenape), Susquehannock, Iroquois, Eriez, Shawnee, and other Native Americans in the United States tribes. Pennsylvania Indian tribes



In 1681, Charles II of England granted a land charter Charter for the Province of Pennsylvania to William Penn, to repay a large debt owed to William's father, William Penn (admiral). This was one of the largest land grants to an individual in history. Quakers and the political process The land included present-day Delaware and Pennsylvania. It was called Pennsylvania, meaning "Penn's Woods", in honor of Admiral Penn.

Penn established a government with two innovations that were much copied in the New World: the county commission, and freedom of religious conviction. Writer Murray Rothbard in his four-volume history of the U.S., Conceived in Liberty, refers to the years of 1681–90 as "Pennsylvania's Anarchist Experiment." Pennsylvania's Anarchist Experiment

Between 1723 and when it was shut down by Parliament with the Currency Act of 1764, the Pennsylvania Colony made its own paper money to account for the shortage of actual gold and silver. The paper money was called Colonial Scrip. The Colony issued "bills of credit" which were as good as gold or silver coins because of their legal tender status. Since they were issued by the government and not a banking institution, it was an interest-free proposition, largely defraying the expense of the government and therefore taxation of the people. It also promoted generally employment and prosperity since the Government used discretion and did not issue too much to inflate the currency. Benjamin Franklin had a hand in creating this currency, of which he said its utility was never to be disputed and it also received the high praise of Adam Smith.

After the Stamp Act Congress of 1765, Delegate John Dickinson (delegate) of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania wrote the Declaration of Rights and Grievances. The Congress was the first meeting of the thirteen colonies, called at the request of the Massachusetts Assembly, but only nine colonies sent delegates. Library of Congress timeline 1764–1765 Dickinson then wrote Letters from a Farmer in Pennsylvania, To the Inhabitants of the British Colonies, which were published in the Pennsylvania Chronicle between December 2, 1767, and February 15, 1768. Dickinson Letters

When the Founding Fathers of the United States were to convene in Philadelphia in 1774, 12 colonies sent representatives to the First Continental Congress. Library of Congress timeline 1773–1774 The First Continental Congress drew up and signed the United States Declaration of Independence in Philadelphia, Library of Congress: Primary documents — The Declaration of Independence but when that city was captured by the British, the Continental Congress escaped westward, meeting at the Lancaster, Pennsylvania courthouse on Saturday, September 27, 1777, and then to York, Pennsylvania. There they drew up the Articles of Confederation that formed 13 independent colonies into a new nation. Later, the United States Constitution was written, and Philadelphia was once again chosen to be cradle to the new American Nation. Nine Capitals of the United States

Pennsylvania became the second state to ratify the U.S. Constitution on December 12, 1787, Pennsylvania ratifies the Constitution of 1787 five days after Delaware became the first.



For half a century, the Commonwealth's legislature met at various places in the general Philadelphia area before starting to meet regularly in Independence Hall in Philadelphia for 63 years. Pennsylvania's Capitals But it needed a more central location, as for example the Paxton Boys massacres of 1763 had made them aware. So, in 1799 the legislature moved to the Lancaster, Pennsylvania Courthouse, and finally in 1812 to Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. The legislature met in the old Dauphin County, Pennsylvania Court House until December 1821, when the Redbrick Capitol was finished. It burned down in 1897, presumably due to a faulty flue. The legislature met at Grace Methodist Church on State Street (still standing), until the present capitol was finished in 1907.

The Pennsylvania State Capitol drew rave reviews. Its dome was inspired by the domes of St. Peter's Basilica in Rome and the United States Capitol. President of the United States Theodore Roosevelt called it the "the most beautiful state Capitol in the nation", and said "It's the handsomest building I ever saw" at the dedication. In 1989, the New York Times praised it as "grand, even awesome at moments, but it is also a working building, accessible to citizens ... a building that connects with the reality of daily life."

Pennsylvania accounts for 9% of all wooded areas in the United States

James Buchanan, of Lancaster, Pennsylvania, was the only bachelor President of the United States. James Buchanan White House biography The Battle of Gettysburg — the major turning point of the Civil War — took place near Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. Battle of Gettysburg

Demographics The center of population of Pennsylvania is located in Perry County, Pennsylvania, in the borough of Duncannon, Pennsylvania .

As of 2006, Pennsylvania has an estimated population of 12,440,621, which is an increase of 35,273 from the previous year, and an increase of 159,567 since the year 2000. Net Human migration from other states resulted in a decrease of 27,718, and Immigration to the United States from other countries resulted in an increase of 126,007. Net migration to the Commonwealth was 98,289. Migration of native Pennsylvanians resulted in a decrease of 100,000 people. In 2006, 5.00% of Pennsylvanians were foreign born (621,480 people). Components of Population Change

Foreign-born Pennsylvanians are largely from Asia (36.0%), Europe (35.9%), Latin America (30.6%), 5% coming from Africa, 3.1% coming from North America, and 0.4% coming from Oceania.



Pennsylvania's reported population of Hispanics, especially among the Asian, Hawaiian and White races, has markedly increased in the last years. Annual Estimates of the Population It is not clear how much of this change reflects a changing population, and how much reflects increased willingness to self-identify minority status.

{{USCensusPop] (27.66%), Irish American (17.66%), Italian American (12.82%), English Americans (8.89%) and Polish American (7.23%). American Community Survey 2003 Multi-Year Survey for Pennsylvania

Religion Of all the colonies, only in Rhode Island was religious freedom as secure as in Pennsylvania - and one result was an incredible religious Multiculturalism, one which continues to this day. Religious diversity in Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania's population in 2000 was 12,281,054. Of these, 8,448,193 were estimated to belong to some sort of organized religion. According to the Association of religion data archives at Pennsylvania State University, reliable data exists for 7,116,348 religious adherents in Pennsylvania in 2000, following 115 different faiths. The ARDA Their affiliations, including percentage of all adherents, were:These statistics are based on 7,116,348 of the estimated 8,448,193 religious adherents in Pennsylvania, and only the largest of 115 different faiths are reported here. Data excludes most of the historically African-American denominations. Public Law 94-521 prevents the Census Bureau from collecting better data, so this information comes from the Association of religion data archives at Pennsylvania State University.) Terms used to describe organizations are ARDA's, and may not be the group's own preferred name.

Pennsylvania is also noted for having the highest concentration of an Amish population in the United States.http://www.800padutch.com/amish.shtml

While Pennsylvania owes its existence to Quakers and many of the older trappings of the Commonwealth are rooted in the teachings of the Religious Society of Friends (as they are officially known), practicing Quakers are a small minority today.

Economy 's closed manufacturing facility in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. This site will become the site of a new multi-million dollar casino in 2007.Pennsylvania's 2005 total gross state product (GSP) of $430.31 billion Bureau of Economic Analysis ranks the state 6th in the nation. If Pennsylvania were an independent country, its economy would rank as the 17th largest in the world, ahead of Belgium, but behind the Netherlands. On a per-capita basis, though, Pennsylvania's per-capita GSP of $34,619 ranks 26th among the 50 states.

Philadelphia in the southeast corner and Pittsburgh in the southwest corner are urban manufacturing centers, with the "t-shaped" remainder of the Commonwealth being much more rural; this dichotomy affects state politics as well as the state economy. Appeals court races wrap up with focus on voter mobilization Philadelphia is home to 10 Fortune 500 companies, Fortune 500 with more located in suburbs like King of Prussia, Pennsylvania; it's a leader in the financial Philadelphia stock exchange and insurance industry. Tragedy of 9/11 pummels insurance industry Pittsburgh is home to 6 Fortune 500 companies, including U.S. Steel, PPG Industries, H.J. Heinz, and Alcoa. In all, Pennsylvania is home to 49 Fortune 500 companies.

As in the US as a whole and in most states, largest private employer in the Commonwealth is Wal-Mart, followed by the University of Pennsylvania, United Parcel Service and Giant Food of Carlisle, Pennsylvania (called Stop and Shop in other states). The largest manufacturing employer is Merck. Largest Employers in Pennsylvania

Manufacturing States cannot thrive by "taking in each other's laundry", Community Economic Analysis but manufacturing imports money and jobs from the rest of the world. Pennsylvania's factories and workshops manufacture 16.1% of the Gross State Product (GSP); only 10 states are more industrialized. Northeast-Midwest Institute calculations based on data from the BEA While Educational Services is only 1.8% of the Commonwealth's GSP, that's twice the national average; only Massachusetts, Rhode Island and Vermont outrank Pennsylvania. Although Pennsylvania is known as a coal state, mining only amounts to 0.6% of the Commonwealth's economy, compared to 1.3% for the country as a whole..

Agriculture Pennsylvania ranks 19th overall in agricultural production, Agricultural Census 2002 but 1st in Mushrooms, 3rd in Christmas trees and layer chickens, 4th in Nursery (horticulture) and sod, milk, maize for silage, and horse production. Only about 9,600 of the Commonwealth's 58,000 farmers have sales of $100,000 or more, and with production expenses equaling 84.9% of sales, most not only have a net farming income below the $19,806 that marks poverty for a family of four, Poverty levels but are liable for a 12.4% self-employment tax as well. IRS: Tax Guide for farmers The average farmer is 53 and getting older, Center for Rural Pennsylvania as young Pennsylvanians find low farming income a tough row to hoe. Mid-Atlantic Farm Policy Leadership ForumMany farms in the southeastern part of the Commonwealth have been sold to housing developers in the past years. This is largely due to rising taxes and land prices, reflecting high demand for land in the nations fifth largest metropolitan area. Bucks and Montgomery counties were the first to suburbanize, but this trend is now extending to Chester, Lancaster, Berks, and Lehigh counties.

Tourism Pennsylvania draws 2.1% of the Gross State Product from Accommodation and Food Services. Only Connecticut, Delaware and Iowa have lower numbers, and Nevada gets a whopping 14.2% of their GSP that way. Philadelphia draws tourists Philadelphia tourism to see the Liberty Bell, Independence Hall (United States), the Franklin Institute and Rocky Steps of the Philadelphia Museum of Art, while The Poconos Poconos tourism attract honeymooners, golfers and fishermen, and the Delaware Water Gap Delaware Water Gap and Allegheny National Forest appeal to boaters, hikers, and nature lovers. Another attraction are the many covered bridges in the state, as Pennsylvania has more covered bridges than any other state. FHWA Covered Bridge Manual Fourteen slots casinos, the majority of which are either in the process of being awarded licenses from the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board or are under construction, are expected to make up a good portion of tourism in the Commonwealth.

The Commonwealth launched an extensive tourism campaign in 2003 under the direction of the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development. An extensive website VisitPA has been established to promote visits to the state and new license plates feature the VistPA.com website.The Plain sects region in south-central Pennsylvania is a favorite for sightseers. AAA: Favorite vacation spots The Pennsylvania Dutch, including the Amish, the Mennonites and at least 35 other sects, Page 10, The Riddle of Amish Culture, 2001. ISBN 0-8018-6772-X are common in the rural areas around the cities of Lancaster, Pennsylvania, York, Pennsylvania, and Harrisburg, with smaller numbers extending northeast to the Lehigh Valley and up the Susquehanna River valley.

The term "Dutch", when referring to the Pennsylvania Dutch, means "German" or "Teutonic" rather than "Netherlander". Germans, in their own language, call themselves "Deutsch", which in English became, misleadingly, "Dutch". Definition of "dutch" The Pennsylvania German language is a descendant of German language, in the West Central German dialect family.

Politics Government of the Commonwealth Pennsylvania has had five Pennsylvania Constitutions during its statehood: 23 Pennsylvania Law Weekly 324 (March 27, 2000) 1776, 1790, 1838, 1874, and 1968. Prior to that, the province of Pennsylvania was governed for a century by a Frame of Government, of which there were four versions: 1682, 1683, 1696, and 1701.

The capital of the Commonwealth is Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. The legislature meets in the new State Capitol there.

The current list of Pennsylvania Governors is Ed Rendell, a former head of the Democratic National Committee who began as a popular District Attorney and mayor in Philadelphia. State Elected Officials

Pennsylvania has a bicameral legislature set up by Commonwealth's constitution in 1790. The original Frame of Government of William Penn had a unicameral legislature. Pennsylvania State Archives The Pennsylvania General Assembly includes 50 Pennsylvania Senate Pennsylvania Senators and 203 Pennsylvania House of Representatives. Pennsylvania House of Representatives Joseph B. Scarnati III is currently President Pro Tempore of the State Senate, Pennsylvania Senate Domenic Pileggi the Majority Leader, David Brightbill and Robert J. Mellow the Minority Leader. Robert Mellow Dennis M. O'Brien is Speaker (politics) of the House of Representatives, John Perzel with H. William DeWeese as Majority Leader Samuel Smith and Samuel H. Smith as Minority Leader. William DeWeese The 2006 election resulted in the Democrats regaining control of the House and the balance remaining unchanged in Republicans' favor in the Senate.

Pennsylvania is divided into 60 judicial districts, Judicial districts most of which (except Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania and Allegheny County, Pennsylvania Counties) have magisterial district judges (formerly called district justices and justices of the peace), who preside mainly over minor criminal offenses and small civil claims. Most criminal and civil cases originate in the Courts of Common Pleas, which also serve as appellate courts to the district judges and for local agency decisions. The Superior Court hears all appeals from the Courts of Common Pleas not expressly designated to the Commonwealth Court or Supreme Court. It also has original jurisdiction to review Warrant (law)s for Telephone tapping surveillance. The Commonwealth Court is limited to appeals from final orders of certain state agencies and certain designated cases from the Courts of Common Pleas. The Supreme Court of Pennsylvania is the final appellate court. All judges in Pennsylvania are elected; the chief justice is determined by seniority.

Sales tax provides 39% of Commonwealth's revenue; personal income tax 34%; motor vehicle taxes about 12%, and taxes on cigarettes and alcohol beverage 5%.Revenue Department Releases August Collections (09/01/2006) http://www.revenue.state.pa.us/revenue/CWP/view.asp?Q=261929&A=208 Retrieved 25 September 2006.

Counties, municipalities, and school districts levy taxes on real estate. In addition, some local bodies assess a income tax on personal income. Generally, the total wage tax rate is capped at 1% of income but some municipalities with home rule charters may charge more than 1%. Thirty-two of the Commonwealth's sixty-seven counties levy a property tax on stocks, bonds, and similar holdings.

Representation in the 110th Congress Pennsylvania's two United States Senate in the 110th Congress are Arlen Specter and Bob Casey, Jr..Pennsylvania's U.S. House of Representatives for the term beginning January 2007 are Bob Brady (Pennsylvania's 1st congressional district), Chaka Fattah (Pennsylvania's 2nd congressional district), Phil English (Pennsylvania's 3rd congressional district), Jason Altmire (Pennsylvania's 4th congressional district), John E. Peterson (Pennsylvania's 5th congressional district), Jim Gerlach (Pennsylvania's 6th congressional district), Joseph A. Sestak (Pennsylvania's 7th congressional district), Patrick Murphy (politician) (Pennsylvania's 8th congressional district), Bill Shuster (Pennsylvania's 9th congressional district), Chris Carney (Pennsylvania's 10th congressional district), Paul E. Kanjorski (Pennsylvania's 11th congressional district), John Murtha (Pennsylvania's 12th congressional district), Allyson Schwartz (Pennsylvania's 13th congressional district), Mike Doyle (Pennsylvania's 14th congressional district), Charlie Dent (Pennsylvania's 15th congressional district), Joe Pitts (Pennsylvania's 16th congressional district), Tim Holden (Pennsylvania's 17th congressional district), Tim Murphy (congressman) (Pennsylvania's 18th congressional district), and Todd Russell Platts (Pennsylvania's 19th congressional district). Congressional Directory Online

Regional strength In the past decade, no political party has been clearly dominant in Pennsylvania. This, combined with Pennsylvania's rank of 6th in the country in population, has made it one of the most important swing states. Democrats are strong in urban Philadelphia and the areas of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Reading, Pennsylvania, Allentown, Pennsylvania, Erie, Pennsylvania, Johnstown, Pennsylvania, and Scranton, Pennsylvania/Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania. Republicans are generally dominant in the vast rural areas that make up the balance of the Commonwealth. Traditionally, Republicans have also fared well in the densely populated and wealthy suburbs of Philadelphia and Pittsburgh, but in the 1990s and 2000s many of these suburbs began to associate more with the Democratic Party.

In the 2004 Presidential Election, Senator John F. Kerry beat President George W. Bush in Pennsylvania 2,938,095 (50.92%) to 2,793,847 (48.42%).

Important cities and municipalities Municipalities in Pennsylvania are incorporated as city of several classes, Borough (United States)#Pennsylvania, as Township (Pennsylvania) of several classes, or under home rule charters. A "Village", often identified by a roadside sign, is unincorporated, and is merely a locale without distinct boundaries.

There is some confusion about the number of "towns" in Pennsylvania. In 1870, Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania, the county seat of Columbia County, Pennsylvania was incorporated as a town, and is recognized by state government publications as "the only incorporated town" in Pennsylvania. The Pennsylvania Manual 117 Pennsylvania Local Government Fact Sheet, 2005 "Local Government Entities in Pennsylvania" and "Municipal Statistics" in Legislator’s Municipal Deskbook for Pennsylvania However, in 1975, McCandless, Pennsylvania, in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania adopted a home rule charter under the name "Town of McCandless". Bloomsburg McCandless

The ten most populated cities in Pennsylvania, in order are: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Allentown, Pennsylvania, Erie, Pennsylvania, Reading, Pennsylvania, Scranton, Pennsylvania, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, Lancaster, Pennsylvania, Altoona, Pennsylvania, and Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.

Recreation Pennsylvania is home to the nation's first zoo, the Philadelphia Zoo. Other notable zoos include Claws 'n Paws, Erie Zoo, Pittsburgh Zoo, and Hersheypark. The Commonwealth boasts some of the finest museums in the country. One of the unique museums is the Houdini Museum in Scranton, the only building in the world devoted to the legendary magician. It is also home to the National Aviary, located in Pittsburgh.

All 121 List of Pennsylvania state parks in Pennsylvania feature free admission.

Pennsylvania offers a number of notable amusement parks, including Camel Beach, Conneaut Lake Park, Dorney Park & Wildwater Kingdom, Dutch Wonderland, DelGrosso Amusement Park, Hershey Park, Idlewild Park, Kennywood, Knoebels, Lakemont Park, Sandcastle Waterpark, Sesame Place, Great Wolf Lodge and Waldameer Park. Pennsylvania also is home to the largest indoor waterpark resort on the East Coast, Splash Lagoon in Erie.

There are also notable music festivals that take place in PA. These include Musikfest, the Philadelphia Folk Festival, Creation Festival, and Purple Door.

Pennsylvania is a great state for sportsmen and sportswomen. There are nearly 1 million licensed hunters. Whitetail deer, cottontail rabbits, squirrel, turkey, and grouse are common game species. Pennsylvania is considered one of the finest wild turkey hunting states in the Union, alongside Texas and Alabama. Sport hunting in Pennsylvania is a massive boost for the Commonwealth's economy. A report from The Center for Rural Pennsylvania (A Legislative Agency of the Pennsylvania General Assembly) reported that hunting, fishing, and furtaking generated a total of $9.6 billion statewide.

Sports Pennsylvania is home to many professional sports teams, including the Philadelphia Phillies and Pittsburgh Pirates of Major League Baseball, the Pittsburgh Steelers and Philadelphia Eagles of the National Football League, the Philadelphia 76ers of the National Basketball Association, the Pittsburgh Penguins and Philadelphia Flyers of the National Hockey League, and the Philadelphia Soul of the Arena Football League. Among them, these teams have accumulated 6 World Series Championships (Pirates 5, Phillies 1), 14 National League Pennants, 3 pre-Super Bowl era NFL Championships (Eagles), 5 Super Bowl Championships (Steelers), 4 NBA Championships (76ers), and 4 Stanley Cup winners (Flyers 2, Penguins 2).

College football is also very popular in Pennsylvania. The Penn State University Nittany Lions are coached by Joe Paterno who led Penn State to two national championships (1982 & 1986) as well as five undefeated seasons (1968, 1969, 1973, 1986 and 1994). Penn State plays its home games in the second largest stadium in the United States, Beaver Stadium, that seats 107,282. In addition, the University of Pittsburgh Pitt Panthers have won nine national championships (1915, 1916, 1918, 1929, 1931, 1934, 1936, 1937 and 1976) and have played eight undefeated seasons (1904, 1910, 1915, 1916, 1917, 1920, 1937 and 1976). Pitt plays its home games at Heinz Field, a facility it shares with the Pittsburgh Steelers. Other Pennsylvania schools that have won national titles in football include Lafayette College (1896) and the University of Pennsylvania (1895, 1897, 1904 and 1908).

College basketball is also popular in Pennsylvania, especially in the Philadelphia area where five universities, collectively termed the Philadelphia Big 5, have a rich tradition in NCAA Division I basketball. National titles in college basketball have been won by the following Pennsylvania universities: La Salle University (1954), Temple University (1938), University of Pennsylvania (1920 and 1921), University of Pittsburgh (1928 and 1930) and Villanova University (1985).

In motorsports, the Mario Andretti dynasty of race drivers is from Nazareth, Pennsylvania. Notable Racetracks in Pennsylvania include the Jennerstown Speedway in Jennerstown, Pennsylvania, the Lake Erie Speedway in North East, Pennsylvania, the Mahoning Valley Speedway in Lehighton, Pennsylvania, the Motordome Speedway in Smithton, Pennsylvania, the Mountain Speedway in St. Johns, Pennsylvania, the Nazareth Speedway in Nazareth, Pennsylvania; and the Pocono Raceway in Long Pond, Pennsylvania, which is home both the Pennsylvania 500 and the Pocono 500.

In Baseball the Little League World Series is held in Williamsport, where it was founded. Also the First world Series between the Boston pilgrims and Pittsburgh Pirates was played in

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