Difference between revisions of "Pennsylvania" - New World Encyclopedia

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{{see|Geography of Pennsylvania}}   
 
{{see|Geography of Pennsylvania}}   
 
{{see|List of Pennsylvania counties}}   
 
{{see|List of Pennsylvania counties}}   
Pennsylvania is {{convert|170|mi|km|0}} north to south and {{convert|283|mi|km|0}} east to west.<ref name=pageo>[http://www.netstate.com/states/geography/pa_geography.htm Pennsylvania geography]</ref> Of a total 46055 sq mi (119,282 sq km), 44817 sq mi (116,075 sq km) are land, 490 sq mi (1,269 sq km) are inland waters and 749 sq mi (1,940 sq km) are waters in Lake Erie.<ref name=statabs>[http://www.census.gov/compendia/statab/tables/06s0347.xls 2006 Statistical Abstract: Geography & Environment: Land and Land Use]</ref> It is the 33rd largest state in the [[United States]].<ref name=statabs /> The highest elevation at 3213 feet above sea level (979 meters), at [[Mount Davis (Pennsylvania)|Mount Davis]], named for its owner, John Davis, a schoolteacher who fought for the [[Union Army]] at the [[Battle of Gettysburg]].  The lowest point is [[sea level]], on the Delaware River.  The approximate [[mean]] elevation is 1100 ft (335 m).<ref>[http://www.census.gov/compendia/statab/tables/06s0352.xls 2006 Statistical Abstract: Geography & Environment:Extreme and Mean Elevations ]</ref> Pennsylvania is in the [[North American Eastern Time Zone|Eastern]] [[time zone]].<ref>[http://www.timetemperature.com/tzus/pennsylvania_time_zone.shtml Pennsylvania Time Zone]</ref>
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Pennsylvania is {{convert|170|mi|km|0}} north to south and {{convert|283|mi|km|0}} east to west.<ref name=pageo>[http://www.netstate.com/states/geography/pa_geography.htm Pennsylvania geography]</ref> Of a total 46055 sq mi (119,282 sq km), 44817 sq mi (116,075 sq km) are land, 490 sq mi (1,269 sq km) are inland waters and 749 sq mi (1,940 sq km) are waters in Lake Erie.<ref name=statabs>[http://www.census.gov/compendia/statab/tables/06s0347.xls 2006 Statistical Abstract: Geography & Environment: Land and Land Use]</ref> It is the 33rd largest state in the [[United States]]. The highest elevation at 3213 feet above sea level (979 meters), at [[Mount Davis (Pennsylvania)|Mount Davis]], named for its owner, John Davis, a schoolteacher who fought for the [[Union Army]] at the [[Battle of Gettysburg]].  The lowest point is [[sea level]], on the Delaware River.  The approximate [[mean]] elevation is 1100 ft (335 m).   
  
 
The Appalachian Mountains cut diagonally across the state from northeast to southwest.  The western part of the state is underlain by sedimentary rock, rich in deposits of bituminous coal.  Central Pennsylvania is the anthracite coal region, with the characteristic anticline-syncline topography of tightly folded sedimentary layers.  The eastern third of the state is a product of ocean formation and orogenesis, and is marked by igneous and metamorphic rock close to a billion years old in some areas. <ref: http://www.bucknell.edu/x17772.xml>
 
The Appalachian Mountains cut diagonally across the state from northeast to southwest.  The western part of the state is underlain by sedimentary rock, rich in deposits of bituminous coal.  Central Pennsylvania is the anthracite coal region, with the characteristic anticline-syncline topography of tightly folded sedimentary layers.  The eastern third of the state is a product of ocean formation and orogenesis, and is marked by igneous and metamorphic rock close to a billion years old in some areas. <ref: http://www.bucknell.edu/x17772.xml>
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[[Image:Pennsylvania-counties-map.gif|thumb|250px|left|Counties of Pennsylvania]]
 
[[Image:Pennsylvania-counties-map.gif|thumb|250px|left|Counties of Pennsylvania]]
  
The southern boundary of Pennsylvania was originally fixed at 40° North latitude,<ref>[http://www.yale.edu/lawweb/avalon/states/pa01.htm Penn's Charter]</ref> but as a result of a bad faith compromise by  [[Lord Baltimore]] during [[Cresap's War]], the king's courts moved the boundary 20 miles (32 km) south<ref name=cecil>[http://freepages.history.rootsweb.com/~amxroads/Homelands/cecil.html Cecil County, Maryland]</ref> to 39° 43' N,<ref name=pageo /> at the Mason-Dixon Line.  The city of Philadelphia, at 40°0'N 75°8'W,<ref>[http://placesnamed.com/p/h/philadelphia.asp Places Named: Philadelphia]</ref> 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.<ref name=cecil/>
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The southern boundary of Pennsylvania was originally fixed at 40° North latitude, <ref>[http://www.yale.edu/lawweb/avalon/states/pa01.htm Penn's Charter]</ref> but as a result of a bad faith compromise by  [[Lord Baltimore]] during [[Cresap's War]], the king's courts moved the boundary 20 miles (32 km) south <ref name=cecil>[http://freepages.history.rootsweb.com/~amxroads/Homelands/cecil.html Cecil County, Maryland]</ref> to 39° 43' N, at the Mason-Dixon Line.  The city of 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.
 
 
{{clear}}
 
  
 
== History ==  
 
== History ==  
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[[James Buchanan]], of [[Lancaster, Pennsylvania]], was the only bachelor [[President of the United States]].<ref name="jimbo">[http://www.whitehouse.gov/history/presidents/jb15.html James Buchanan White House biography]</ref> The [[Battle of Gettysburg]] — the major turning point of the Civil War — took place near [[Gettysburg, Pennsylvania|Gettysburg]].<ref>[http://americancivilwar.com/getty.html Battle of Gettysburg]</ref>
 
[[James Buchanan]], of [[Lancaster, Pennsylvania]], was the only bachelor [[President of the United States]].<ref name="jimbo">[http://www.whitehouse.gov/history/presidents/jb15.html James Buchanan White House biography]</ref> The [[Battle of Gettysburg]] — the major turning point of the Civil War — took place near [[Gettysburg, Pennsylvania|Gettysburg]].<ref>[http://americancivilwar.com/getty.html Battle of Gettysburg]</ref>
Pennsylvania, bordering the south, played an important role in the operation of the Underground Railroad, prior to the Civil War. The term "Underground Railroad" is believed to have been coined by a disgruntled Southerner who believed only some sort of "underground railroad" could account for the disappearance of so many escaped slaves upon reaching Columbia, PA, just twenty  miles from the border with Maryland.  Pennsylvania's Quaker beginnings led to the earliest anti-slavery movement in the colonies; in 1780, the Pennsylvania Gradual Abolition Act was the first law passed in the US for emancipation. <ref http://www.phmc.state.pa.us/bah/pahist/quaker.asp?secid=31>
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Pennsylvania, bordering the south, played an important role in the operation of the Underground Railroad, prior to the Civil War. The term "Underground Railroad" is believed to have been coined by a disgruntled Southerner who believed only some sort of "underground railroad" could account for the disappearance of so many escaped slaves upon reaching Columbia, PA, just twenty  miles from the border with Maryland.  Pennsylvania's Quaker beginnings led to the earliest anti-slavery movement in the colonies; in 1780, the Pennsylvania Gradual Abolition Act was the first law passed in the US for emancipation. <ref> ''Pennsylvania Historical and Musuem Commision''. [http://www.phmc.state.pa.us/bah/pahist/quaker.asp?secid=31 The Quaker Province] Retrieved October 27, 2007. </ref>
  
 
== Demographics ==
 
== Demographics ==
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==References ==
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==Notes==
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==External links==
 
==External links==
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*[http://www.footnote.com/topicpage.php?tp=88 Free Original Documents Online: Pennsylvania State Archives 1600s to 1800s]
 
*[http://www.footnote.com/topicpage.php?tp=88 Free Original Documents Online: Pennsylvania State Archives 1600s to 1800s]
 
*[http://www.psupress.psu.edu/Justataste/samplechapters/pennsylvania/index.html Miller, Randall M. and William Pencak, ''Pennsylvania: A History of the Commonwealth'']
 
*[http://www.psupress.psu.edu/Justataste/samplechapters/pennsylvania/index.html Miller, Randall M. and William Pencak, ''Pennsylvania: A History of the Commonwealth'']
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{{United States}}
 
{{United States}}

Revision as of 19:08, 27 October 2007


Template:US state


The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a state located in the Middle Atlantic region of the United States of America.

One of Pennsylvania's nicknames is the Quaker State; in colonial times, it was known officially as the Quaker Province,[1] in recognition of Quaker[2] William Penn's First Frame of Government[3] constitution for Pennsylvania that guaranteed liberty of conscience. Penn knew of the hostility[4] Quakers faced when they opposed swearing oaths, warfare, and violence.[5]

Pennsylvania has also been known as the Keystone State since 1802,[6] based in part upon its central location among the original Thirteen Colonies forming the United States.[6] It was also a keystone state economically, having both the industry common to the North, making such wares as Conestoga wagons[7] and rifles,[8] and the agriculture common to the South, producing feed, fiber, food, and tobacco.[9]

Pennsylvania has 51 miles (82 kilometers)[10] of coastline along Lake Erie and 57 miles (92 km)[11] 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.[12]

Geography

Pennsylvania is 170 miles (274 km) north to south and 283 miles (455 km) east to west.[13] Of a total 46055 sq mi (119,282 sq km), 44817 sq mi (116,075 sq km) are land, 490 sq mi (1,269 sq km) are inland waters and 749 sq mi (1,940 sq km) are waters in Lake Erie.[14] It is the 33rd largest state in the United States. The highest elevation at 3213 feet above sea level (979 meters), at Mount Davis, named for its owner, John Davis, a schoolteacher who fought for the Union Army at the Battle of Gettysburg. The lowest point is sea level, on the Delaware River. The approximate mean elevation is 1100 ft (335 m).

The Appalachian Mountains cut diagonally across the state from northeast to southwest. The western part of the state is underlain by sedimentary rock, rich in deposits of bituminous coal. Central Pennsylvania is the anthracite coal region, with the characteristic anticline-syncline topography of tightly folded sedimentary layers. The eastern third of the state is a product of ocean formation and orogenesis, and is marked by igneous and metamorphic rock close to a billion years old in some areas. <ref: http://www.bucknell.edu/x17772.xml>

File:Pennsylvania-counties-map.gif
Counties of Pennsylvania

The southern boundary of Pennsylvania was originally fixed at 40° North latitude, [15] but as a result of a bad faith compromise by Lord Baltimore during Cresap's War, the king's courts moved the boundary 20 miles (32 km) south [16] to 39° 43' N, at the Mason-Dixon Line. The city of 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.

History

Before the state was settled, the area was home to the Delaware (also known as Lenni Lenape), Susquehannock, Iroquois, Erie, Shawnee, and other Native American tribes.[17]

John Dickinson

In 1681, Charles II of England granted a land charter[18] to William Penn, to repay a large debt owed to William's father, Admiral Penn. This was one of the largest land grants to an individual in history.[19] The land included present-day Delaware and Pennsylvania. It was called Pennsylvania, meaning "Penn's Woods", in honor of Admiral Penn. In keeping with his deeply held Quaker beliefs, William Penn pursued amicable relations with the Native Americans then living in the area. As an example, he negotiated contracts with them to purchase any lands of theirs that had been included in the King's grant. <http://www.phmc.state.pa.us/ppet/penn/page1.asp?secid=31>

Penn established a government with two innovations that were much copied in the New World: the county commission, a new model of small-scale self-governance, and freedom of religious conviction.[19] 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."[20]

After the Stamp Act Congress of 1765, Delegate John Dickinson of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania wrote the Declaration of Rights and Grievances. That Congress was the first meeting of the thirteen colonies, called at the request of the Massachusetts Assembly, but only nine colonies sent delegates.[21] 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.[22] Pennsylvania, and particularly Philadelphia, played a key role in the forming of what was to become the United States, then referred to as the United Colonies of America.

When the Founding Fathers of the United States were to convene in Philadelphia in 1774, 12 colonies sent representatives to the First Continental Congress.[23] The First Continental Congress drew up and signed the Declaration of Independence in Philadelphia,[24] but when that city was captured by the British, the Continental Congress escaped westward, meeting at the Lancaster courthouse on Saturday, September 27, 1777, and then to York. There they drew up the Articles of Confederation that formed 13 independent colonies into a new nation. Later, the Constitution was written, and Philadelphia was once again chosen to be cradle to the new American Nation.[25]

Pennsylvania became the second state to ratify the U.S. Constitution on December 12, 1787,[26] five days after Delaware became the first.

File:HillsCapitol.jpg
The "Redbrick Capitol", used from 1821 until it burned in 1897

For half a century, the Pennsylvania state legislature met at various places in the general Philadelphia area before starting to meet regularly in Independence Hall in Philadelphia for 63 years.[27] In 1799, the legislature moved to the more central Lancaster Courthouse,[27] and finally, in 1812, to Harrisburg.[27] The legislature met in the old Dauphin County Court House until December 1821,[27] when the Redbrick Capitol was finished. It burned down in 1897[27] and the legislature met at Grace Methodist Church on State Street (still standing), until the present capitol was finished in 1907.[27]

The dome of the new new state Capitol was inspired by the domes of St. Peter's Basilica in Rome and the United States Capitol.[27] President 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."[27]

James Buchanan, of Lancaster, Pennsylvania, was the only bachelor President of the United States.[28] The Battle of Gettysburg — the major turning point of the Civil War — took place near Gettysburg.[29] Pennsylvania, bordering the south, played an important role in the operation of the Underground Railroad, prior to the Civil War. The term "Underground Railroad" is believed to have been coined by a disgruntled Southerner who believed only some sort of "underground railroad" could account for the disappearance of so many escaped slaves upon reaching Columbia, PA, just twenty miles from the border with Maryland. Pennsylvania's Quaker beginnings led to the earliest anti-slavery movement in the colonies; in 1780, the Pennsylvania Gradual Abolition Act was the first law passed in the US for emancipation. [30]

Demographics

Demographics of Pennsylvania (csv)
By race White Black AIAN Asian NHPI
AIAN is American Indian or Alaskan Native   -   NHPI is Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander
2000 (total population) 87.60% 10.71% 0.43% 2.04% 0.07%
2000 (Hispanic only) 2.74% 0.44% 0.06% 0.03% 0.02%
2005 (total population) 86.83% 11.20% 0.45% 2.46% 0.09%
2005 (Hispanic only) 3.52% 0.53% 0.07% 0.05% 0.02%
Growth 2000-2005 (total population) 0.32% 5.83% 5.64% 22.23% 18.99%
Growth 2000-2005 (non-Hispanic only) -0.64% 5.21% 2.77% 21.86% 14.13%
Growth 2000-2005 (Hispanic only) 29.86% 20.24% 23.61% 45.64% 35.44%

The center of population of Pennsylvania is located in Perry County, in the borough of Duncannon [2].

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 migration from other states resulted in a decrease of 27,718, and immigration from other countries resulted in an increase of 126,007. Net migration to the state 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).[31]

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.[32]

Pennsylvania Population Distribution

Pennsylvania's reported population of Hispanics, especially among the Asian, Hawaiian and White races, has markedly increased in the last years.[33] It is not clear how much of this change reflects a changing population, and how much reflects increased willingness to self-identify minority status.


Pennsylvania's population was reported as 5.9% under 5 and 23.8% under 18, with 15.6% were 65 or older. Females made up 51.7% of the population.[34]

The five largest ancestry groups self-reported in Pennsylvania are: German (27.66%), Irish (17.66%), Italian (12.82%), English (8.89%) and Polish (7.23%).[35]

Religion

The new sovereign also enacted several wise and wholesome laws for his colony, which have remained invariably the same to this day. The chief is, to ill–treat no person on account of religion, and to consider as brethren all those who believe in one God. - Voltaire, speaking of William Penn[36]

Of all the colonies, only in Rhode Island was religious freedom so secure as in Pennsylvania - and one result was an incredible religious diversity, one which continues to this day.[37]

IN 2000, 8,448,193 of 12,281,054 citizens of Pennsylvania 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.[38] Their affiliations, including percentage of all adherents, were:[39]

  • Roman Catholic: 3,802,524 (53.43%)
  • Orthodox: 75,354 (1.06%)
  • Mainline Protestant: 2,140,682 (30%)
    • United Methodist Church: 659,350 (9.27%)
    • Evangelical Lutheran Church in America: 611,913 (8.60%)
    • Presbyterian Church: 324,714 (4.56%)
    • United Church of Christ: 241,844 (3.40%)
    • American Baptist Churches in the USA: 132,858 (1.87%)
    • Episcopal Church: 116,511 (1.64%)
  • Evangelical Protestant: 704,204 (10%)
    • Assemblies of God: 84,153 (1.18%)
    • Church of the Brethren: 52,684 (0.74%)
    • Mennonite Church USA: 48,215 (0.68%)
    • Christian and Missionary Alliance: 45,926 (0.65%)
    • Southern Baptist Convention: 44,432 (0.62%)
    • Independent Non-charismatic churches: 42,992 (0.60%)
  • Other theology: 393,584 (5.53%)

Pennsylvania is also noted for having the highest concentration of an Amish population in the United States.[40]

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

Economy

thumb Pennsylvania State Quarter
Bethlehem Steel'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[41] 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. Pennsylvania's per-capita GSP of $34,619 ranks 26th among the 50 states.[41]

Philadelphia in the southeast corner and Pittsburgh in the southwest corner are urban manufacturing centers, with the "t-shaped" remainder of the state being much more rural; this dichotomy affects state politics as well as the state economy.[42] Philadelphia is home to 10 Fortune 500 companies,[43] with more located in suburbs like King of Prussia; it's a leader in the financial[44] and insurance industry.[45] Pittsburgh is home to 6 Fortune 500 companies, including U.S. Steel, PPG Industries, H.J. Heinz, and Alcoa.[43] In all, Pennsylvania is home to 49 Fortune 500 companies.Cite error: Closing </ref> missing for <ref> tag

The Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development offers resources for business, community, site development, and concerned citizens at http://newpa.com/.

Manufacturing

Pennsylvania's factories and workshops manufacture 16.1% of the Gross State Product (GSP); only 10 states are more industrialized.[46] While Educational Services is only 1.8% of the state's GSP, that's twice the national average; only Massachusetts, Rhode Island and Vermont outrank Pennsylvania.[46] Although Pennsylvania is known as a coal state, mining only amounts to 0.6% of the state's economy, compared to 1.3% for the country as a whole.[46]

Farming near Klingerstown, Pennsylvania.

Once a stronghold of the steel industry, few plants and foundries remain today.

A small subsector of manufacturing that flourishes in Pennsylvania is specialty foods production. In his book Pennsylvania Snacks: A Guide to Food Factory Tours, author Sharon Hernes Silverman calls Pennsylvania the snack food capital of the world. It leads all other states in the manufacture of pretzels and potato chips. The Sturgis Pretzel House introduced the pretzel to America, and companies like Anderson Bakery Company, Intercourse Pretzel Factory, and Snyder's of Hanover are leading manufacturers in the state. The three companies that define the U.S. potato chip industry are Utz Quality Foods, Inc., which started making chips in Hanover, Pennsylvania in 1921, Wise Snack Foods which started making chips in Berwick in 1921, and Lay's Potato Chips, a Texas company. Other companies such as Herr Foods, Martin's Potato Chips, and Troyer Farms Potato Products are popular chip manufacturers. The U.S. chocolate industry is centered in Hershey, Pennsylvania, with Mars and Wilbur Chocolate Company nearby, and smaller manufacturers such as Asher's near Lansdale and Gertrude Hawk of Dunmore. Other notable companies include Just Born in Bethlehem, PA, makers of Hot Tamales, Mike and Ikes, and the Easter favorite marshmallow Peeps, Benzel's Pretzels and Boyer Candies of Altoona, PA, which is well known for its Mallow Cups. Auntie Anne's Pretzels originated in Gap, but their corporate headquarters is now located in Lancaster, PA.

Agriculture

Pennsylvania ranks 19th overall in agricultural production,[47] but first in mushrooms, third in Christmas trees and laying chickens, fourth in nursery and sod, milk, corn for silage, and horse production. Only about 9,600 of the state's 58,000 farmers have sales of $100,000 or more, and with production expenses equaling 84.9% of sales, most have a net farming income below the $19,806 that marks poverty for a family of four,[48]and that does not reflect the 12.4% self-employment tax as well.[49] The farming population is aging; the average farmer is 53[50] programs/documents/Mid-Atlantic_Forum_Summary.pdf Mid-Atlantic Farm Policy Leadership Forum]</ref> Many farms in the southeastern part of the state 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 nation's 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. In contrast, only Connecticut, Delaware, and Iowa have lower numbers. Nevada gets a whopping 14.2% of their GSP that way.[46] Philadelphia draws tourists[51] to see the Liberty Bell, Independence Hall, the Franklin Institute, and the steps of the Philadelphia Museum of Art, while the Poconos[52] attract honeymooners, golfers and fishermen. The Delaware Water Gap[53] and Allegheny National Forest appeal to boaters, hikers, and nature lovers. 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.[54]

The state government launched an extensive tourism campaign in 2003 under the direction of the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development. An extensive website[55] has been established to promote visits to the state.

File:PA.soi.jpg
Recent PA state tourism campaign logo.

The Pennsylvania Dutch region in south-central Pennsylvania is a favorite for sightseers.[56] The Pennsylvania Dutch, including the Old Order Amish, the Old Order Mennonites and at least 35 other sects,[57] are common in the rural areas around the cities of Lancaster, York, and Harrisburg, with smaller numbers extending northeast to the Lehigh Valley and up the Susquehanna River valley.

The term "Dutch", when referring to the Pennsylvana Dutch, means "German" or "Teutonic" rather than "Netherlander". Germans, in their own language, call themselves "Deutsch", which in English became, misleadingly, "Dutch".[58] The Pennsylvania Dutch language is a descendant of German, in the West Central German dialect family.


Among the regional foods associated with Pennsylvania are the pierogies, cheesesteak and the hoagie, the soft pretzel, Italian water ice, scrapple, Tastykake, and the stromboli. In Pittsburgh, tomato ketchup was improved by Henry John Heinz from 1876 to the early 1900s. Famous to a lesser extent than Heinz ketchup are the Pittsburgh's Primanti Brothers Restaurant sandwiches. Outside the city of Scranton, in the Borough of Old Forge there are dozens of Italian restaurants specializing in pizza made unique by thick, light crust and American cheese. Sauerkraut along with pork and mashed potatoes is a common meal on New Year's Day in Pennsylvania.

Politics

State government

Pennsylvania has had five constitutions during its statehood:[59] 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.[59]

The current Pennsylvania Capitol

The state capital is Harrisburg. The legislature meets in the new State Capitol there.

The Executive Branch is made up of the Governor, the Lieutenant Governor, Attorney General. Auditor, and State Treasurer, all elected officials.

Pennsylvania has a bicameral legislature set up by state's constitution in 1790. The original Frame of Government of William Penn had a unicameral legislature.[60] The General Assembly includes 50 Senators[61] and 203 Representatives.[62] The 2006 election resulted in the Democrats regaining control of the House and the Republicans' retaining control of the Senate.

Pennsylvania is divided into 60 judicial districts,[63] most of which (except Philadelphia and Allegheny 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.[63] 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.[63] 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 warrants for wiretap surveillance.[63] The Commonwealth Court is limited to appeals from final orders of certain state agencies and certain designated cases from the Courts of Common Pleas.[63] The Supreme Court of Pennsylvania is the final appellate court. All judges in Pennsylvania are elected; the chief justice is determined by seniority.[63]

Sales tax provides 39% of state revenue; personal income tax 34%; motor vehicle taxes about 12%, and taxes on cigarettes and alcohol beverage 5%.[64]

Counties, municipalities, and school districts levy taxes on real estate. In addition, some local bodies assess a wage 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 state's sixty-seven counties levy a personal property tax on stocks, bonds, and similar holdings.

Pennsylvania is represented in the US Congress by two U.S. Senators and 19 Representatives. directory&docid=cdir108_txt-39 Congressional Directory Online]</ref>

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 electorally. Democrats are strong in urban Philadelphia and the areas of Pittsburgh, Reading, Allentown, Erie, Johnstown, and Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. Republicans are generally dominant in the vast rural areas that make up the balance of the state. Traditionally, Republicans have also fared well in the densely populated and wealthy suburbs of Philadelphia and Pittsburgh, but in the 1990s and 2000s these suburbs trended Democratic.

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%).

In the Midterm Elections of 2006, Pennsylvania moved solidly Democratic because of the unpopularity of the war in Iraq and of President Bush. Also significant in this election was a popular anti incumbent backlash due to a General Assembly pay raise controversy in 2005. Bob Casey, Jr. handily defeated incumbent Senator Rick Santorum 59%-41%, and Governor Ed Rendell defeated Republican opponent Lynn Swann by a similar margin: 60–40%.

Important cities and municipalities

The skyline of Philadelphia, the largest city in Pennsylvania and the sixth-largest metropolitan area in the United States.
The skyline of Pittsburgh, the 20th-largest metropolitan area in the United States.

Municipalities in Pennsylvania are incorporated as cities, boroughs, or townships.

There is some confusion about the number of "towns" in Pennsylvania. In 1870, Bloomsburg, the county seat of Columbia County was incorporated as a town, and is recognized by state government publications as "the only incorporated town" in Pennsylvania.[65][66][67] However, in 1975, McCandless Township, in Allegheny County adopted a home rule charter under the name "Town of McCandless".[68][69]

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

Recreation

Pennsylvania is home to the nation's first zoo, the Philadelphia Zoo. [3] Other notable zoos include Claws 'n Paws, Erie Zoo, Pittsburgh Zoo, and ZOOAMERICA. The state boasts some of the finest museums in the country. One of the unique museums is the Houdini Museum [4], the only building in the world devoted to the legendary magician. It is also home to the National Aviary, located in Pittsburgh.

All 121 state parks in Pennsylvania feature free admission.

Pennsylvania offers a number of notable amusement parks, including 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, Creation Festival, and Purple Door.

Hunting is popular in Pennsylvania. There are nearly 1 million licensed hunters. Whitetail deer, cottontail rabbits, squirrel, turkey, and grouse are common game species. Sport hunting in Pennsylvania is a massive boost for the state economy. A report from The Center for Rural Pennsylvania (a legislative agency of the Pennsylvania General Assembly) reported that hunting, fishing, and trapping 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 Philadelphia Eagles and Pittsburgh Steelers of the National Football League, the Philadelphia 76ers of the National Basketball Association, the Philadelphia Flyers and Pittsburgh Penguins 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 level sports, particularly football, have a wide following 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 US, Beaver Stadium, that seats 107,282. In addition, the University of Pittsburgh 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).[5] 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).[6] Pro football star Joe Namath is from the Pitsburgh area.

College basketball is also popular in Pennsylvania, especially in the Philadelphia area where five universities, collectively termed the Big Five, 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).[7][8]

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

There are also two motocross race tracks that host a round of the AMA Toyota Motocross Championships in Pennsylvania. [High Point Raceway]High Point in located in Mt. Morris, PA, and Steel City is located in Delmont, PA. Philadelphia is home to LOVE Park, once a skateboarding mecca, and across from City Hall, host to ESPN's X Games in 2001 and 2002.

Race courses for horses in Pennsylvania consist of Ladbroke at the Meadows, in Pittsburgh, Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs, in Wilkes-Barre and Harrah's Chester Casino and Racetrack in Chester which offer harness racing, and Penn National Race Course in Grantville and Philadelphia Park, in Bensalem which offer thoroughbred racing. Smarty Jones, the 2004 Kentucky Derby winner, had Philadelphia Park as his home course.

Some notable Pennsylvanian athletes include legendary Arnold Palmer, one of the leading 20th century pro golfers and professional golfer Jim Furyk. Olympian Jim Thorpe is from the re-named Jim Thorpe, PA. Baseball all-star Mike Piazza is from Phoenixville.


State symbols

  • State animal: White-tailed Deer State Symbols
  • State beverage: Milk
  • State game bird: Ruffed Grouse
  • State capital: Harrisburg [70]
  • State dog: Great Dane
  • State fish: Brook Trout
  • State flower: Mountain Laurel
  • State fossil: the trilobite Phacops rana
  • State insect: Firefly

  • Union admission rank:
  • State song: Pennsylvania (Formerly Hail, Pennsylvania!, until 1990)
  • State tree: Hemlock
  • State toy: Slinky [71]
  • State ship: United States Brig Niagara
  • State electric locomotive: Pennsylvania Railroad GG1 #4849 Locomotive
  • State steam locomotive: Pennsylvania Railroad K4s Locomotive
  • State beautification plant: Crown Vetch
  • State soil: Hazleton


Notes

  1. The Quaker Province
  2. William Penn, Quaker
  3. Frame of Government
  4. Pennsylvania translates to "Penn's woods." Digital History: Persecution of the Quakers
  5. The Quaker Province 1681–1776
  6. 6.0 6.1 PHMC: State Symbols
  7. Lowell Tribune, March 26, 2002
  8. Lancaster rifle
  9. PHMC: Agriculture in Pennsylvania
  10. National Parks Service: Our Fourth Shore
  11. NOAA Office of Ocean and Coastal Resources
  12. Philadelphia Regional Port Authority: History. Retrieved 2006-12-11.
  13. Pennsylvania geography
  14. 2006 Statistical Abstract: Geography & Environment: Land and Land Use
  15. Penn's Charter
  16. Cecil County, Maryland
  17. Pennsylvania Indian tribes
  18. Charter for the Province of Pennsylvania
  19. 19.0 19.1 Quakers and the political process
  20. Pennsylvania's Anarchist Experiment
  21. Library of Congress timeline 1764–1765
  22. Dickinson Letters
  23. Library of Congress timeline 1773–1774
  24. Library of Congress: Primary documents — The Declaration of Independence
  25. Nine Capitals of the United States
  26. Pennsylvania ratifies the Constitution of 1787
  27. 27.0 27.1 27.2 27.3 27.4 27.5 27.6 27.7 Pennsylvania's Capitals
  28. James Buchanan White House biography
  29. Battle of Gettysburg
  30. Pennsylvania Historical and Musuem Commision. The Quaker Province Retrieved October 27, 2007.
  31. Components of Population Change
  32. Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named paprof
  33. Annual Estimates of the Population
  34. FactFinder: Census 2000 Demographic Profile Highlights
  35. American Community Survey 2003 Multi-Year Survey for Pennsylvania
  36. The Works of Voltaire, volume 19
  37. Religious diversity in Pennsylvania
  38. The ARDA
  39. 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 Penn State.) Terms used to describe organizations are ARDA's, and may not be the group's own preferred name.
  40. http://www.800padutch.com/amish.shtml
  41. 41.0 41.1 Bureau of Economic Analysis
  42. Appeals court races wrap up with focus on voter mobilization
  43. 43.0 43.1 Fortune 500
  44. Philadelphia stock exchange
  45. Tragedy of 9/11 pummels insurance industry
  46. 46.0 46.1 46.2 46.3 Northeast-Midwest Institute calculations based on data from the BEA
  47. Agricultural Census 2002
  48. Poverty levels
  49. IRS: Tax Guide for farmers
  50. Center for Rural Pennsylvania
  51. Philadelphia tourism
  52. Poconos tourism
  53. Delaware Water Gap
  54. [1]
  55. VisitPA
  56. AAA: Favorite vacation spots
  57. Page 10, The Riddle of Amish Culture, 2001. ISBN 0-8018-6772-X
  58. Definition of "dutch"
  59. 59.0 59.1 23 Pennsylvania Law Weekly 324 (March 27, 2000)
  60. Pennsylvania State Archives
  61. Pennsylvania Senators
  62. Pennsylvania House of Representatives
  63. 63.0 63.1 63.2 63.3 63.4 63.5 Judicial districts
  64. 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.
  65. The Pennsylvania Manual 117
  66. Pennsylvania Local Government Fact Sheet, 2005
  67. "Local Government Entities in Pennsylvania" and "Municipal Statistics" in Legislator’s Municipal Deskbook for Pennsylvania
  68. Bloomsburg
  69. McCandless
  70. State Symbols
  71. Slinky history

External links



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Coordinates: 41° N 77.5° W

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