Difference between revisions of "Philadelphia" - New World Encyclopedia

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{{Images OK}}{{Submitted}}{{Approved}}{{Copyedited}}
 
{{Infobox Settlement
 
{{Infobox Settlement
 
|name = City of Philadelphia
 
|name = City of Philadelphia
 +
|settlement_type        = [[Consolidated city-county]]
 
|image_skyline          = philly_skyline.jpg
 
|image_skyline          = philly_skyline.jpg
 
|imagesize              = 250px
 
|imagesize              = 250px
−
|image_caption          =
+
|image_caption          =  
 
|motto                  = "Philadelphia maneto" ("Let brotherly love endure")
 
|motto                  = "Philadelphia maneto" ("Let brotherly love endure")
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|nickname              = "City of Brotherly Love","The City that Loves you Back," "Cradle of Liberty," "The Quaker City," "The Birthplace of America","The City of Neighborhoods," "Philly"|image_flag            = Flag of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.svg
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|Founded by            = William Penn
 +
|image_flag            = Flag of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.svg
 
|image_seal            = Philadelphia City Seal Color.jpg
 
|image_seal            = Philadelphia City Seal Color.jpg
 
|image_map              = Map of Pennsylvania highlighting Philadelphia County.svg
 
|image_map              = Map of Pennsylvania highlighting Philadelphia County.svg
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|mapsize                = 250px
 
 
|image_map1            = Map of USA PA.svg
 
|image_map1            = Map of USA PA.svg
−
<!-- pushpin map is broken - pin is in New Jersey
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|pushpin_map            =
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|pushpin_map            =Pennsylvania
+
|pushpin_map_caption    = Location in the United States
−
|pushpin_map_caption    = Location in Pennsylvania
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|pushpin_label_position = left —>
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|pushpin_label_position = left
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|coordinates_region    = US-PA
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—>
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|subdivision_type      = Country
−
 
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|subdivision_type1      = [[Political divisions of the United States|Commonwealth]]
−
+
|subdivision_type2      = [[List of counties in Pennsylvania|County]]
−
|subdivision_type      = Country  
+
|subdivision_name      = [[:United States]]
−
|subdivision_type1      = Commonwealth  
+
|subdivision_name1      = [[Pennsylvania]]
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|subdivision_type2      = County  
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|subdivision_name2      = [[Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania|Philadelphia]]
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|subdivision_name      = {{USA}}
+
|leader_title          = [[Mayor of Philadelphia|Mayor]]
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|subdivision_name1      = [[Image:Flag of Pennsylvania.svg‎|22px]] Pennsylvania
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|leader_name            = [[Jim Kenney]] ([[United States Democratic Party|D]])
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|subdivision_name2      = Philadelphia
 
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|leader_title          = Mayor
 
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|leader_name            = Michael Nutter (D)  
 
 
|established_title      = Founded
 
|established_title      = Founded
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|established_title1    = Incorporated
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|established_title1    = [[Municipal Corporation|Incorporated]]
 
|established_date      = October 27, 1682
 
|established_date      = October 27, 1682
 
|established_date1      = October 25, 1701
 
|established_date1      = October 25, 1701
 
|area_magnitude        = 1 E8
 
|area_magnitude        = 1 E8
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|area_total_sq_mi      = 135
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|unit_pref              =  Imperial
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|area_land_sq_mi        = 127.4
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|area_total_sq_mi      = 142.6
 +
|area_land_sq_mi        = 135.1
 
|area_land_km2          = 326.144
 
|area_land_km2          = 326.144
 
|area_total_mi2        = 349.65
 
|area_total_mi2        = 349.65
−
|area_water_sq_mi      = 7.6
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|area_water_sq_mi      = 7.5
 
|area_water_km2        = 19.6
 
|area_water_km2        = 19.6
 
|area_urban_sq_mi      = 1799.5
 
|area_urban_sq_mi      = 1799.5
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|area_metro_sq_mi      = 4629
 
|area_metro_sq_mi      = 4629
 
|area_metro_km2        = 11989
 
|area_metro_km2        = 11989
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|population_as_of       = July 1st, 2007
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|population_as_of = 2016
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|population_note        =
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|population_footnotes = <ref name="2016 Pop Estimate">{{cite web|url=http://factfinder2.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/PEP/2016/PEPANNRSIP.US12A |title= Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Incorporated Places of 50,000 or More, Ranked by July 1, 2015 Population |publisher=United States Census Bureau |accessdate=February 5, 2018}}</ref>
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|population_total      = 1449634 (6th)
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|population_total = 1,567,872
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|population_metro       = 5823233
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|population_rank = US: [[List of United States cities by population|6th]]
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|population_urban      = 5325000
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|population_metro = 6,069,875 (US: [[List of Metropolitan Statistical Areas|7th]])<ref name=2015MSAest>{{cite web|url=https://factfinder.census.gov/faces/tableservices/jsf/pages/productview.xhtml?pid=PEP_2015_PEPANNCHG.US24PR&prodType=table |title=Estimates of Resident Population Change and Rankings: July 1, 2014 to July 1, 2015 – United States – Metropolitan Statistical Area; and for Puerto Rico |publisher=U.S. Census Bureau |accessdate=February 5, 2018}}</ref>
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|population_density_km2     = 4201.8
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|population_density_km2 = 4511.61
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|population_density_sq_mi = 10882.8
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|population_density_sq_mi = 11685.02
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|timezone              = EST
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|population_blank1_title = [[Combined statistical area|CSA]]
 +
|population_blank1 = 7,183,479 (US: [[List of Combined Statistical Areas|8th]])<ref name=2015CSAest>{{cite web|url=https://factfinder.census.gov/faces/tableservices/jsf/pages/productview.xhtml?pid=PEP_2015_PEPANNCHG.US41PR&prodType=table |title= Estimates of Resident Population Change and Rankings: July 1, 2014 to July 1, 2015 – United States – Combined Statistical Area; and for Puerto Rico |publisher=U.S. Census Bureau |accessdate=February 5, 2018}}</ref>
 +
|population_blank2_title = [[Demonym]]
 +
|population_blank2 = Philadelphian
 +
|timezone              = [[North American Eastern Time Zone|EST]]
 
|utc_offset            = -5
 
|utc_offset            = -5
−
|timezone_DST          = EDT
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|timezone_DST          = [[Eastern Daylight Time|EDT]]
 
|utc_offset_DST        = -4
 
|utc_offset_DST        = -4
−
|area_code  = 215, 267
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|postal_code_type        = ZIP code
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|latd=39 |latm=57 |lats=12 |latNS=N
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|postal_code              = 191xx
−
|longd=75 |longm=10 |longs=12 |longEW=W
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|area_code  = [[Area code 215|215]], [[Area code 267|267]]
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|elevation_m             = 12
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|elevation_m           = 12
 
|elevation_ft          = 39
 
|elevation_ft          = 39
 
|website                = http://www.phila.gov
 
|website                = http://www.phila.gov
 
|footnotes              =
 
|footnotes              =
 
}}
 
}}
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'''Philadelphia''' is the largest [[city]] in [[Pennsylvania]] and the sixth-most-populous city in the United States. It is the fifth-largest metropolitan area and fourth-largest urban area by population in the United States, the nation's fourth-largest consumer media market as ranked by the Nielsen Media Research, and the 49th most-populous city in the world. <ref>http://www.citymayors.com/statistics/richest-cities-2005.html</ref>It is 9th richest city in the world based on GDP figures. It is the county seat of Philadelphia County (with which it is coterminous). A popular nickname for Philadelphia is '''The City of Brotherly Love'''. It is commonly and informally referred to as '''Philly'''.
 
  
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In 2005, the population of the city proper was estimated to be over 1.4 million,<ref name="population">[http://www.census.gov/popest/cities/files/SUB-EST2005-all.csv 2005 listing of population estimates of U.S. cities by the United States Census Bureau] Retrieved on October 8, 2006.</ref> while the {{nowrap|Greater Philadelphia}} metropolitan area, with a population of 5.8 million, was the fifth-largest in the United States. A commercial, educational, and cultural center, the city was once the second-largest in the [[British Empire]] (after [[London]]), and the social and geographical center of the original 13 American colonies.
 
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During the 18th century, it eclipsed [[New York City]] in political and social importance, with [[Benjamin Franklin]] taking a large role in Philadelphia's early rise to prominence. It was in this city that some of the ideas, and subsequent actions, gave birth to the [[American Revolution]] and [[United States Declaration of Independence|American Independence]], making Philadelphia a centerpiece of early American history. It was the most populous city of the young United States and served as the the nation's first capital.
 
  
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==Geography and cityscape==
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'''Philadelphia''' is the largest [[city]] in [[Pennsylvania]] and ranks sixth in population among cities in the [[United States]]. In 2007, the [[population]] of the city proper was estimated to be nearly 1.5 million, while the {{nowrap|Greater Philadelphia}} metropolitan area was the fifth-largest in the United States. A commercial, [[education]]al, and [[culture|cultural]] center, the city was once the second-largest in the [[British Empire]] (after [[London]]) and the social and geographical center of the original 13 American colonies.
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===Topography===
 
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[[Image:Large Philadelphia Landsat.jpg|thumb|A simulated-color satellite image of Philadelphia taken on [[NASA]]'s Landsat 7 satellite. The [[Delaware River]] is visible in this shot.]]
 
  
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According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of {{convert|142.6|sqmi|1}}. Bodies of water include the Delaware and Schuylkill Rivers, and Cobbs, Wissahickon, and Pennypack Creeks.
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The city's founder [[William Penn]] named it Philadelphia, which is [[Greek language|Greek]] for brotherly love. As a [[Religious Society of Friends|Quaker]], Penn had experienced religious persecution and wanted his colony to be a place where anyone could fully experience [[freedom of religion]]. To this day, a popular nickname for Philadelphia is the City of Brotherly Love, though it is often informally referred to as Philly.
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{{toc}}
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During the eighteenth century, Philadelphia eclipsed [[New York City]] in political and social importance. It was in this city that some of the ideas, and subsequent actions, gave birth to the [[American Revolution]] and [[United States Declaration of Independence|Declaration of Independence]] and the [[United States Constitution]]. It was once the most populous city of the young United States and served as the nation's first capital.  
  
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The lowest point is sea level, while the highest point is in Chestnut Hill, at approximately {{convert|445|ft|m|0}} above sea level (near the intersection of Germantown Avenue and Bethlehem Pike).
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==Geography and cityscape==
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[[Image:Large Philadelphia Landsat.jpg|thumb|225px|A simulated-color satellite image of Philadelphia taken on [[NASA]]'s Landsat 7 satellite. The [[Delaware River]] is visible in this shot.]]
  
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Philadelphia is located on the Fall Line separating the Atlantic Coastal Plain from the Piedmont. The rapids on the Schuylkill River at East Falls disappeared after the completion of the Fairmount Dam.
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According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of {{convert|142.6|sqmi|1}}. Bodies of water in and around Philadelphia include the [[Delaware River]] and [[Schuylkill River]], and the Cobbs, Wissahickon, and Pennypack Creeks. The lowest point is at [[sea level]], while the highest point is in Chestnut Hill, rising approximately {{convert|445|ft|m|0}} above sea level. Philadelphia is located on the [[fall line]] separating the Atlantic Coastal Plain from the Piedmont.
  
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The city is the seat of its own county. The adjacent counties are Montgomery to the north; Bucks to the northeast; Burlington County, New Jersey, to the east; Camden County, New Jersey, to the southeast; Gloucester County, New Jersey, to the south; and Delaware County to the west.
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Philadelphia lies at the northern periphery of the temperate [[climate]] zone. Summers are typically hot and muggy, fall and spring are generally mild, and winter is cold. Snowfall is variable, with some winters bringing moderate [[snow]] and others snowstorms. Annual snowfall averages {{convert|21|in|mm|0}} Precipitation is generally spread throughout the year, with eight to 11 wet days per month, at an average annual rate of {{convert|42|in|mm|0}}.
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{{Geographic Location (8-way)
 
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|Centre = Philadelphia
 
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|North = Jenkintown
 
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|Northeast = Bristol
 
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|East = Camden, New Jersey
 
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|Southeast = Cherry Hill, New Jersey
 
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|South = Glassboro, New Jersey
 
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|Southwest = Chester
 
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|West = Upper Darby
 
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|Northwest = Pennsylvania Main Line
 
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|image =Flag of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.png
 
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}}
 
  
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===Climate===
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===Neighborhoods===
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Philadelphia falls in the northern periphery of the humid subtropical climate zone. Summers are typically hot and muggy, fall and spring are generally mild, and winter is cold. Snowfall is variable, with some winters bringing moderate [[snow]] and others bringing some snowstorms. Annual snowfall averages 21 inches (534 mm). Precipitation is generally spread throughout the year, with eight to eleven wet days per month, at an average annual rate of 42 inches (1068 mm).
 
  
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===Neighborhoods===
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Philadelphia has many neighborhoods, each with its own identity. The large Philadelphia sections, North, Northeast, Northwest, West, South, and Southwest Philadelphia surround Center City, which falls within the original city limits prior to consolidation in 1854. Numerous smaller neighborhoods within the areas coincide with the boroughs, townships, and other communities that made up Philadelphia County before their absorption by the city. Other neighborhoods formed based on [[ethnicity]], [[religion]], [[culture]], and commercial reasons.
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[[Image:Philly Street.jpg|thumb|A street in the Washington Square West neighborhood.]]
 
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Philadelphia has many neighborhoods, each with its own identity. The large Philadelphia sections, North, Northeast, Northwest, West, South and Southwest Philadelphia surround Center City, which falls within the original city limits prior to consolidation in 1854. Numerous smaller neighborhoods within the areas coincide with the boroughs, townships, and other communities that made up Philadelphia County before their absorption by the city. Other neighborhoods formed based on ethnicity, religion, culture, and commercial reasons.
 
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[[Image:Downtownphilly.jpg|thumb|Center City Philadelphia from City Hall showing the Comcast Center and other buildings]]
 
  
 
===Architecture===
 
===Architecture===
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[[Image:Row Houses, West Philly.jpg|thumb|Row houses in [[West Philadelphia]].]]
 
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Philadelphia's architectural history dates back to Colonial times and includes a wide range of styles. The earliest structures were constructed with logs, but brick structures were common by 1700. During the 18th century, the cityscape was dominated by [[Georgian architecture]], including [[Independence Hall (United States)|Independence Hall]]. In the first decades of the 19th century, [[Federal architecture]] and [[Greek Revival architecture]] were popular. In the second half of the 19th century, [[Victorian architecture]] was common. Numerous glass and granite skyscrapers were built from the late 1980s onwards. In 2007, the Comcast Center became the city's tallest building.
 
  
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For much of Philadelphia's history, the typical home has been the row house. For a time, row houses built elsewhere in the United States were known as "Philadelphia rows". There is a variety of row houses throughout the city from Victorian-style homes in North Philadelphia to twin row houses in West Philadelphia. While newer homes are scattered throughout the city, much of Philadelphia's housing is from the early 20th century or older. The age of the city's homes has created numerous problems, which has led to blight and vacant lots in many parts of the city, while other neighborhoods such as Society Hill, which has the largest concentration of 18th-century architecture in the United States, have been rehabilitated and gentrified.
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[[Image:Row Houses, West Philly.jpg|thumb|250px|Row houses in West Philadelphia.]]
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Philadelphia's [[architecture|architectural]] history dates back to Colonial times and includes a wide range of styles. The earliest structures were constructed with logs, but [[brick]] structures were common by 1700. During the eighteenth century, the cityscape was dominated by [[Georgian architecture]], including [[Independence Hall (United States)|Independence Hall]]. In the first decades of the nineteenth century, [[Federal architecture]] and [[Greek Revival architecture]] were popular. In the second half of the nineteenth century, [[Victorian architecture]] was common. Numerous [[glass]] and [[granite]] skyscrapers were built from the late 1980s onwards. In 2007, the Comcast Center became the city's tallest building.
 +
 
 +
For much of Philadelphia's history, the typical home has been the row house. For a time, row houses built elsewhere in the [[United States]] were known as "Philadelphia rows." There is a variety of row houses throughout the city, from Victorian-style homes in North Philadelphia to twin row houses in West Philadelphia. While newer homes are scattered throughout the city, much of Philadelphia's housing is from the early twentieth century or older. The age of the city's homes has created numerous problems, which has led to blight and vacant lots in many parts of the city. Other neighborhoods, such as Society Hill, which has the largest concentration of eighteenth-century architecture in the United States, have been rehabilitated and gentrified.
  
 
==History==
 
==History==
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Prior to the arrival of Europeans, the Philadelphia area was the location of the [[Lenape|Lenape (Delaware)]] [[Native Americans in the United States|Indian]] village Shackamaxon. Europeans arrived in the [[Delaware Valley]] in the early 1600s, with the first settlements founded by the [[Netherlands|Dutch]], [[United Kingdom|British]], and [[Sweden|Swedish]].
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The Philadelphia area was the location of the [[Lenape|Lenape (Delaware)]] [[Native American|Indian]] village Shackamaxon. Europeans arrived in the Delaware Valley in the early 1600s, with the first settlements founded by the [[Netherlands|Dutch]], [[United Kingdom|British]], and [[Sweden|Swedish]].
  
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The Swedes sought to expand their influence by creating an agricultural (tobacco) and fur-trading colony to bypass French and British merchants. The [[New Sweden Company]] was chartered and included Swedish, Dutch and German stockholders. The first Swedish expedition to [[North America]] embarked from the port of [[Gothenburg]] in late 1637. It was organized and overseen by [[Clas Fleming (admiral)|Clas Fleming]], a Swedish admiral from [[Finland]]. Part of this colony, called [[New Sweden]] or [[Nya Sverige]] eventually included land on the west side of the [[Delaware River]] from just below the [[Schuylkill River]]: in other words, today's Philadelphia, southeast [[Pennsylvania]], [[Delaware]], and [[Maryland]].
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The Swedes sought to expand their influence by creating an agricultural ([[tobacco]]) and fur-trading colony to bypass [[France|French]] and British merchants. The New Sweden Company included Swedish, Dutch, and [[Germany|German]] stockholders. The first Swedish expedition to [[North America]] embarked from the port of [[Gothenburg]] in late 1637. Part of this colony, called New Sweden or Nya Sverige, eventually included land on the west side of the [[Delaware River]] from just below the Schuylkill River: in other words, today's Philadelphia, southeast [[Pennsylvania]], [[Delaware]], and [[Maryland]].
  
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In 1644, [[New Sweden]] supported the [[Susquehannocks]] in their victory in a war against the English province of [[Maryland]]. A series of events led the Dutch&nbsp;—led by governor [[Peter Stuyvesant]]&nbsp;—to move an army to the [[Delaware River]] in the late summer of 1655. Though [[New Netherland]] now nominally controlled the colony, the Swedish and Finnish settlers continued to enjoy a degree of local autonomy, having their own militia, religion, court, and lands. This status lasted officially until the English conquest of the New Netherland colony, in October 1663-1664, and continued unofficially until the area was included in [[William Penn]]'s charter for [[Pennsylvania]], in 1682.
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In 1644, New Sweden supported the [[Susquehannocks]] in their victory in a war against the English province of [[Maryland]]. A series of events led the Dutch—led by governor [[Peter Stuyvesant]]—to move an army to the Delaware River in 1655. Though New Netherland now nominally controlled the colony, the Swedish and Finnish settlers continued to enjoy a degree of local autonomy, having their own militia, [[religion]], court, and lands. This status lasted officially until the English conquest of the New Netherland colony in 1663-1664 and continued unofficially until the area was included in [[William Penn]]'s charter for [[Pennsylvania]].
  
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In 1681, as part of a repayment of a debt, [[Charles II of England]] granted [[William Penn]] a [[charter]] for what would become the [[Province of Pennsylvania|Pennsylvania colony]]. Part of Penn's plan for the colony was to create a city on the [[Delaware River]] to serve as a port and place for government. Despite already having been given the land by Charles II, Penn bought the land from the local Lenape to be on good terms with the Native Americans and ensure peace for his colony.<ref>{{cite book |last=Brookes |first=Karin |coauthors=John Gattuso, Lou Harry, Edward Jardim, Donald Kraybill, Susan Lewis, Dave Nelson and Carol Turkington |editor=Zoë Ross |title=Insight Guides: Philadelphia and Surroundings |edition=Second Edition (Updated) |date=2005 |publisher=APA Publications | pages = 21 |isbn=1585730262 }}</ref> According to [[legend]] Penn made a treaty of friendship with Lenape chief Tammany under an elm tree at Shackamaxon, in what is now the city's Kensington section. As a [[Religious Society of Friends|Quaker]], Penn had experienced religious persecution and wanted his colony to be a place where anyone could worship freely despite their religion. Penn named the city Philadelphia, which is [[Greek language|Greek]] for brotherly love (''philos'', "love" or "friendship," and ''adelphos'', "brother").
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===William Penn's colony===
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[[Image:Benjamin Franklin by Jean-Baptiste Greuze.jpg|thumb|left|100px|[[Benjamin Franklin]]]]
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[[File:Wiliam Penn,s treaty with Indians.jpg|thumb|200px|Penn's Treaty with the Indians from ''The story of the United States by Marshall'', H. E. (Henrietta Elizabeth)]]
  
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[[Image:Westpenntreaty.jpg|thumb|left|"Penn's Treaty with the Indians" by [[Benjamin West]].]]
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In 1681, as part of a repayment of a debt, [[Charles II of England]] granted Penn a charter for what would become the Pennsylvania colony. Part of Penn's plan was to create a [[city]] on the [[Delaware River]] to serve as a [[port]] and place for government. Despite already having been given the land, Penn bought the land from the local [[Lenape]] to be on good terms with the Native Americans and ensure peace for his colony. As a [[Religious Society of Friends|Quaker]], Penn had experienced religious persecution and wanted his colony to be a place where anyone could [[freedom of religion|worship freely]] despite their religion. Penn named the city Philadelphia, which is [[Greek language|Greek]] for brotherly love (''philos'', "love" or "friendship," and ''adelphos'', "brother").
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[[William Penn]]'s plan was that Philadelphia would be like an English rural town instead of a city. The city's roads were designed with a [[grid plan]] with the idea that houses and businesses would be spread far apart and surrounded by gardens and orchards. The city's inhabitants didn't follow Penn's plans and crowded by the Delaware River and subdivided and resold their lots. Before Penn left Philadelphia for the last time, he issued the Charter of 1701 establishing Philadelphia as a city. The city soon grew and established itself as an important trading center. Conditions in the city were poor at first, but by the 1750s living conditions had improved. A significant contributor to Philadelphia at the time was [[Benjamin Franklin]]. Franklin helped improve city services and founded new ones, such as the American Colonies' first hospital. Due to Philadelphia's central location in the colonies, during the [[American Revolution]] the city was used as the location for the [[First Continental Congress]] before the war, the [[Second Continental Congress]], which signed the [[United States Declaration of Independence]], during the war, and the [[Philadelphia Convention|Constitutional Convention]] after the war. A number of battles during the war were fought in Philadelphia and its environs as well. Unsuccessful lobbying after the war to make Philadelphia the United States capital helped make the city the temporary U.S. capital in the 1790s.
 
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[[Image:Benjamin Franklin by Jean-Baptiste Greuze.jpg|thumb|left|100px|[[Benjamin Franklin]]]]
 
  
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The state government left Philadelphia in 1799 and the federal government left soon after in 1800. However Philadelphia was still the largest city in the United States and a financial and cultural center. [[New York City]] soon surpassed Philadelphia in population, but construction of roads, [[canal]]s, and [[railroad]]s helped turn Philadelphia into the United States' first major industrial city. Throughout the 19th century Philadelphia had a large variety of industries and businesses, the largest being [[textile]]s. Major corporations in the 19th and early 20th centuries included the Baldwin Locomotive Works, William Cramp and Sons Ship and Engine Building Company, and the Pennsylvania Railroad. Industry, along with the [[United States Centennial|U.S. Centennial]], was celebrated in 1876 with the Centennial Exposition, the first official World's Fair in the United States. [[Immigration|Immigrants]], mostly [[Germany|German]] and [[Ireland|Irish]], settled in Philadelphia and the surrounding districts. The rise in population of the surrounding districts helped lead to the Act of Consolidation of 1854 which extended the city of Philadelphia to include all of Philadelphia County. In the later half of the century immigrants from [[Russia]], [[Eastern Europe]], and [[Italy]] and [[African Americans]] from the [[Southern United States|southern U.S.]] settled in the city.
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Penn's plan was that Philadelphia would be like an English rural town instead of a city. The city's roads were designed with a grid plan, with the idea that houses and businesses would be spread out and surrounded by gardens and orchards. Instead, the inhabitants crowded by the Delaware River and subdivided and resold their lots. Before Penn left Philadelphia for the last time, he issued the Charter of 1701 establishing Philadelphia as a city. The city soon established itself as an important [[trade|trading]] center. A significant contributor to Philadelphia at the time was [[Benjamin Franklin]], who helped improve city services and founded new ones, such as the American colonies' first [[hospital]].
  
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[[Image:Phila8thMarket.jpg|thumb|right|8th and Market Street, showing the Strawbridge and Clothier department store, 1910s.]]
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Due to Philadelphia's central location, during the [[American Revolution]] the city was used as the location for the [[First Continental Congress]] before the war, the [[Second Continental Congress]], which signed the [[United States Declaration of Independence]], during the war, and the [[Philadelphia Convention|Constitutional Convention]] after the war. A number of battles during the war were fought in Philadelphia and its environs. The city served as the United States [[capital]] in the 1790s.
  
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By the 20th century Philadelphia had become known as "corrupt and contented." Philadelphians were content with the city's lack of change or excitement, and single-party politics, centered on the city's entrenched [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]] [[political machine]], allowed corruption to flourish. The machine and corruption permeated in all parts of city government and reformers had little success. The first major success in reform came in 1917 when outrage over the murder of a police officer during that year's election led to the shrinking of the [[Philadelphia City Council]] from two houses to just one. In the 1920s the public flouting of [[Prohibition in the United States|Prohibition]] laws, [[Mafia|mob]] violence, and police involvement in illegal activities led to the appointment of Brigadier General Smedley Butler of the [[United States Marine Corps|U.S. Marine Corps]] as director of public safety, but political pressure prevented any long term success in fighting crime and corruption.
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===Nineteenth century===
 +
The state government left Philadelphia in 1799 and the federal government left soon after, in 1800. Philadelphia was still the largest city in the [[United States]] and a [[finance|financial]] and [[culture|cultural]] center. [[New York City]] soon surpassed Philadelphia in population, but construction of [[road]]s, [[canal]]s, and [[railroad]]s helped turn Philadelphia into the United States' first major [[industry|industrial]] city. Throughout the nineteenth century, Philadelphia was home to a variety of industries and businesses, the largest being [[textile]]s. Major corporations included the Baldwin Locomotive Works, William Cramp and Sons Ship and Engine Building Company, and the Pennsylvania Railroad.
  
−
After struggling through the [[Great Depression]], [[World War II]] created jobs and brought the city out of the Depression. However, after the war there was a severe housing shortage with about half the city's housing being built in the 19th century, many of which lacked proper facilities. Adding to housing problem was [[white flight]], as African Americans and [[Puerto Rico|Puerto Ricans]] moved into new neighborhoods resulting in racial tension. After a population peak of over two million residents in 1950 the city's population declined while the suburban neighboring counties grew. After a five year investigation into corruption into city government, the outcry with what the investigation found led the drafting of a new city charter in 1950. The city charter strengthened the position of the mayor and weakened the city council among other changes to help prevent the corruption of the past. The first [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]] mayor since the first half of the 19th century was elected in 1951. However, after two early reform mayors, a Democratic political organization had established itself replacing the old Republican one.
+
Industry, along with the United States Centennial, was celebrated in 1876 with the Centennial Exposition, the first official [[World's Fair]] in the United States. [[Immigration|Immigrants]], mostly [[Germany|German]] and [[Ireland|Irish]], settled in Philadelphia and the surrounding districts. The rise in population of the surrounding districts helped lead to the Act of Consolidation of 1854 which extended the city of Philadelphia to include all of Philadelphia County. In the latter half of the century immigrants from [[Russia]], [[Eastern Europe]], and [[Italy]] and [[African American]]s from the [[Southern United States|southern U.S.]] settled in the city.
  
−
Protests, riots and racial tensions were common in the 1960s and 70s. Mostly drug related gang violence plagued the city. In the mid 1980s, [[crack house]]s invaded the city's slums. Confrontations between police and the radical group [[MOVE]] culminated when the police dropped a satchel bomb on their headquarters starting a fire that killed eleven MOVE members and destroyed sixty-two neighboring houses. Revitalization and [[gentrification]] of neighborhoods began in the 1960s and continues into the 21st century, with much of the development in the Center City and University City areas of the city. After many of the old manufacturers and businesses had left Philadelphia or shut down, the city started attracting service businesses and began to more aggressively market itself as a tourist destination. Glass and granite skyscrapers were built in Center City. Historic areas such as [[Independence National Historical Park]] located in Society Hill were resuscitated during the reformist mayoral era of the 1950s through the 1980s and are now among the most desirable living areas of Center City. This has slowed the city's forty-year population decline after losing nearly a quarter of its population.
+
===Twentieth century===
 +
[[Image:Phila8thMarket.jpg|thumb|right|250px|8th and Market Street, showing the Strawbridge and Clothier department store, 1910s.]]
 +
By the twentieth century, Philadelphians were seemingly content with the city's lack of change or excitement, and single-party [[politics]], centered on the city's entrenched [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]] political machine, allowed [[corruption]] to flourish in all parts of city government. The first reform came in 1917, when outrage over the [[murder]] of a police officer during that year's election led to the shrinking of the Philadelphia City Council. In the 1920s the public flouting of Prohibition laws, [[Mafia|mob]] violence, and police involvement in illegal activities led to the appointment of a brigadier general of the [[United States Marine Corps|United States Marine Corps]] as director of public safety, but political pressure prevented any long-term success in fighting [[crime]] and corruption.
  
 +
After struggling through the [[Great Depression]], [[World War II]] created jobs and brought the city out of the Depression. However, after the war there was a severe housing shortage. About half the city's housing had been built in the nineteenth century, and many lacked proper facilities. Adding to housing problems was white flight, as [[African American]]s and [[Puerto Rico|Puerto Ricans]] moved into new neighborhoods, resulting in racial tension. After a population peak of over two million residents in 1950 the city's population declined while that of the neighboring suburban counties grew.
  
 +
After a five-year investigation into corruption in city government, a new city charter was drafted in 1950 that strengthened the position of the mayor and weakened the city council. The first [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]] mayor since the early nineteenth century was elected in 1951. After two early reform mayors, a Democratic political organization had established itself, replacing the Republican one.
  
 +
Protests, [[riot]]s, and racial tensions were common in the 1960s and 1970s. [[Gang]] violence plagued the city, most of it [[drug]]-related . In the mid 1980s, crack houses invaded the city's [[slum]]s. Confrontations between police and the radical group MOVE culminated when the police dropped a satchel bomb on their headquarters, starting a fire that killed eleven MOVE members and destroyed 62 neighboring houses.
  
 +
Revitalization and gentrification of neighborhoods began in the 1960s and continued with much of the development in the Center City and University City areas of the city. After many of the old manufacturers and businesses had left Philadelphia or shut down, the city started attracting service businesses and to aggressively market itself as a [[tourism|tourist]] destination. [[Glass]] and [[granite]] skyscrapers were built in Center City. Historic areas such as Independence National Historical Park are now among the most desirable living areas of Center City. This has slowed the city's 40-year population decline after losing nearly a quarter of its population.
  
−
==Government and politics==
+
==Law, government, and politics==
−
[[Image:City Hall holiday.jpg|thumb|left|City Hall decorated.]]
+
[[Image:City Hall holiday.jpg|thumb|200px|City Hall decorated for the holidays.]]
−
All county functions were assumed by the city in 1952, which has been coterminous with the county since 1854.  
+
The city is the seat of its own county. All county functions were assumed by the city in 1952, which has been coterminous with the county since 1854.  
  
−
The city uses the "strong-mayor" version of the mayor-council form of government, which is headed by one [[mayor]], in whom executive authority is vested. The mayor is limited to two consecutive four-year terms under the city's [[home rule]] charter, but can run for the position again after an intervening term. The current mayor, having taken office in January 2008, is Michael Nutter. Nutter, as all Philadelphia mayors have been since 1952, is a member of the [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic Party]], which tends to dominate local politics so thoroughly that the Democratic primary for mayor is often more noticeable than the general mayoral election. The legislative branch, the Philadelphia City Council, consists of ten council members representing individual districts and seven members elected at large.  
+
The city uses the "strong-mayor" version of the mayor-council form of government, which is headed by one [[mayor]], in whom executive authority is vested. The mayor is limited to two consecutive four-year terms under the city's [[home rule]] charter, but can run for the position again after an intervening term. The [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic Party]] tends to dominate local politics so thoroughly that the Democratic primary for mayor is often more noticeable than the general mayoral election. The legislative branch, the Philadelphia City Council, consists of ten council members representing individual districts and seven members elected at large.  
  
 
===Politics===
 
===Politics===
−
{| align="right" border="2" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" style="margin: 1em 1em 1em 0; border: 1px #aaa solid; border-collapse: collapse; font-size: 95%;"
+
From the [[American Civil War|Civil War]] until the mid-twentieth century, Philadelphia was a bastion of the [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican Party]], which arose from the staunch pro-Northern views of Philadelphia residents during and after the war. After the [[Great Depression]], [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]] registrations increased, but the city was not carried by Democrat [[Franklin D. Roosevelt]] in his landslide victory of 1932 (in which [[Pennsylvania]] was one of the few states won by Republican [[Herbert Hoover]]). While other Northern industrial cities were electing Democratic mayors in the 1930s and 1940s, Philadelphia did not follow suit until 1951. The city is now one of the most Democratic in the country, despite the frequent election of Republicans to statewide offices.  
−
|+ '''Presidential election results'''
 
−
|- bgcolor=#D3D3D3
 
−
! Year
 
−
! [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]]
 
−
! [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]]
 
−
|-
 
−
|align="center" bgcolor="#f0f0ff"|[[U.S. presidential election, 2004|2004]]
 
−
|align="center" bgcolor="#fff3f3"|19.3% ''130,099
 
−
|align="center" bgcolor="#f0f0ff"|'''80.4%''' ''542,205
 
−
|-
 
−
|align="center" bgcolor="#f0f0ff"|[[U.S. presidential election, 2000|2000]]
 
−
|align="center" bgcolor="#fff3f3"|18.0% ''100,959
 
−
|align="center" bgcolor="#f0f0ff"|'''80.0%''' ''449,182
 
−
|-
 
−
|align="center" bgcolor="#f0f0ff"|[[U.S. presidential election, 1996|1996]]
 
−
|align="center" bgcolor="#fff3f3"|16.0% ''85,345
 
−
|align="center" bgcolor="#f0f0ff"|'''77.5%''' ''412,988
 
−
|-
 
−
|align="center" bgcolor="#f0f0ff"|[[U.S. presidential election, 1992|1992]]
 
−
|align="center" bgcolor="#fff3f3"|20.9% ''133,328
 
−
|align="center" bgcolor="#f0f0ff"|'''68.2%''' ''434,904
 
−
|-
 
−
|align="center" bgcolor="#f0f0ff"|[[U.S. presidential election, 1988|1988]]
 
−
|align="center" bgcolor="#fff3f3"|32.5% ''219,053
 
−
|align="center" bgcolor="#f0f0ff"|'''66.6%''' ''449,566
 
−
|-
 
−
|align="center" bgcolor="#f0f0ff"|[[U.S. presidential election, 1984|1984]]
 
−
|align="center" bgcolor="#fff3f3"|34.6% ''267,178
 
−
|align="center" bgcolor="#f0f0ff"|'''64.9%''' ''501,369
 
−
|-
 
−
|align="center" bgcolor="#f0f0ff"|[[U.S. presidential election, 1980|1980]]
 
−
|align="center" bgcolor="#fff3f3"|34.0% ''244,108
 
−
|align="center" bgcolor="#f0f0ff"|'''58.7%''' ''421,253
 
−
|-
 
−
|align="center" bgcolor="#f0f0ff"|[[U.S. presidential election, 1976|1976]]
 
−
|align="center" bgcolor="#fff3f3"|32.0% ''239,000
 
−
|align="center" bgcolor="#f0f0ff"|'''66.3%''' ''494,579
 
−
|-
 
−
|align="center" bgcolor="#f0f0ff"|[[U.S. presidential election, 1972|1972]]
 
−
|align="center" bgcolor="#fff3f3"|43.4% ''340,096
 
−
|align="center" bgcolor="#f0f0ff"|'''55.1%''' ''431,736
 
−
|-
 
−
|align="center" bgcolor="#f0f0ff"|[[U.S. presidential election, 1968|1968]]
 
−
|align="center" bgcolor="#fff3f3"|30.0% ''254,153
 
−
|align="center" bgcolor="#f0f0ff"|'''61.8%''' ''525,768
 
−
|-
 
−
|align="center" bgcolor="#f0f0ff"|[[U.S. presidential election, 1964|1964]]
 
−
|align="center" bgcolor="#fff3f3"|26.2% ''239,733
 
−
|align="center" bgcolor="#f0f0ff"|'''73.4%''' ''670,645
 
−
|-
 
−
|align="center" bgcolor="#f0f0ff"|[[U.S. presidential election, 1960|1960]]
 
−
|align="center" bgcolor="#fff3f3"|31.8% ''291,000
 
−
|align="center" bgcolor="#f0f0ff"|'''68.0%''' ''622,544
 
−
|-
 
−
|}
 
−
 
 
−
From the [[American Civil War]] until the mid-20th century, Philadelphia was a bastion of the [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican Party]], which arose from the staunch pro-Northern views of Philadelphia residents during and after the war. After the [[Great Depression]], Democratic registrations increased, but the city was not carried by Democratic [[Franklin D. Roosevelt]] in his landslide victory of 1932 (in which Pennsylvania was one of the few states won by Republican [[Herbert Hoover]]). While other Northern industrial cities were electing Democratic mayors in the 1930s and 1940s, Philadelphia did not follow suit until 1951.  
 
  
−
The city is now one of the most Democratic in the country, despite the frequent election of Republicans to statewide offices since the 1930s.
+
Philadelphia once comprised six congressional districts. As a result of the city's declining population, it now has four.
−
 
 
−
Philadelphia once comprised six congressional districts. As a result of the city's declining population, it now has only four. Although they are usually swamped by Democrats in city, state and national elections, Republicans still have some support in the area; a Republican represented a significant portion of Philadelphia in the House as late as 1983. Pennsylvania's Republican [[United States Senate|senator]], Arlen Specter, is from Philadelphia.
 
  
 
===Crime===
 
===Crime===
−
Like many American cities, Philadelphia saw a gradual yet pronounced rise in crime in the years following [[World War II]]. Murders peaked in 1990 at 525. There were an average of about 400 murders a year for most of the 1990s. The murder count dropped in 2002 to 288, then surged four years later to 406. Out of the ten most populous cities in the United States in 2006, Philadelphia had the highest homicide rate at 28 per 100,000 people, though the number of murders decreased to 369 in 2007.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://inquirer.philly.com/graphics/homicide_map_2007/ |title=Philadelphia Homicides in 2007}}</ref>
+
Like many American cities, Philadelphia saw a gradual yet pronounced rise in [[crime]] in the years following [[World War II]]. [[Murder]]s peaked in 1990 at 525. There were an average of about 400 murders a year for most of the 1990s. The murder count dropped in 2002 to 288, then surged four years later to 406. Out of the ten most populous cities in the United States in 2006, Philadelphia had the highest homicide rate at 28 per 100,000 people. In 2006, there were 4,479.3 crimes per 100,000 people in Philadelphia.<ref>''AreaConnect''. [http://philadelphia.areaconnect.com/crime1.htm Philadelphia PA Crime Statistics (2006 Crime Data)] Retrieved February 5, 2018.</ref> In 2008, Philadelphia was ranked as the 22nd most dangerous American city. <ref>''CQ Press''. [http://os.cqpress.com/citycrime/CityCrime2008_Rank_Rev.pdf 2008 Crime Rankings] Retrieved February 5, 2018.</ref>
−
 
 
−
In 2004, there were 5,513.5 crimes per 100,000 people in Philadelphia.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://philadelphia.areaconnect.com/crime1.htm |title=Philadelphia PA Crime Statistics (2005 Crime Data) |accessdate=2006-12-11 |work=AreaConnect LLC }}</ref> In 2005, Philadelphia was ranked as the sixth most dangerous among 32 American cities with populations over 500,000. <ref>{{cite web |url=http://morganquitno.com/cit06pop.htm#25 |title=Rankings by Population Group (Top 10/Bottom 10)|accessdate=2006-12-11 |work=Morgan Quitno Awards}}</ref>
 
−
 
 
−
In 2006, Camden was the fifth-most dangerous city in the country, lower than its 2004 ranking, but still high for a city its size, while Philadelphia was ranked 29th.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.philly.com/dailynews/opinion/20070328_Death___taxes_in_Philadelphia.html |title=Death & taxes in Philadelphia |accessdate=2007-04-02}}</ref>
 
  
−
On September 12, 2007, police commissioner Sylvester Johnson called on 10,000 [[African American]] men to patrol the streets to lessen crime. Johnson, set up "Call to Action: 10,000 Men, It's a New Day" in response to the city's disproportionate homicide rate of young African Americans. Dennis Muhammad, [[Nation of Islam]] official, and Mayor John F. Street supported the project. The program was to begin on October 21.<ref>[http://www.nydailynews.com/news/wn_report/2007/09/14/2007-09-14_black_men_urged_to_help_philadelphia_pol.html?ref=rssnydailynews.com, Black men urged to help Philadelphia police to reduce crime ]</ref>
+
In 2015, according to annual homicide statistics and crime maps provided on the Philadelphia Police Department's website, there were 280 murders in the city. The same departmental site documents that the number of homicides fell slightly the following year, with 277 murders in Philadelphia in 2016, rising to 317 in 2017.<ref>[http://www.phillypolice.com/crime-maps-stats/ Crime Maps & Stats] Philadelphia Police Department. Retrieved February 5, 2018.</ref>
  
 
==Economy==
 
==Economy==
−
[[Image:Comcastcenter vertical.jpg|thumb|[[Comcast Center (office building)|Comcast Center]], Philadelphia's newest office building.]]
+
[[Image:Comcastcenter vertical.jpg|thumb|200px|[[Comcast Center (office building)|Comcast Center]], Philadelphia's newest office building.]]
−
 
+
[[Image:Philly Vista.jpg|thumb|200px|Baltimore Avenue towards Center City.]]
−
Philadelphia's economy is relatively diversified, with meaningful portions of its total output derived from manufacturing, oil refining, food processing, health care and biotechnology, tourism and financial services. According to a study prepared by [[PricewaterhouseCoopers]], Philadelphia and its surrounding region had the fourth highest GDP among American cities, with a total GDP of $312 billion in 2005.<ref name=cityGDP>{{cite web |url=http://www.citymayors.com/statistics/richest-cities-2005.html |title=The 150 richest cities in the world by GDP in 2005 |date=2007-03-11 |accessdate=2008-11-10 |publisher=City Mayors |work=PricewaterhouseCoopers}}</ref> Only [[New York City]] ($1,133 billion), [[Los Angeles]] ($693 billion), and [[Chicago]] ($460 billion) had higher total economic output levels among American cities.<ref name=cityGDP/> Philadelphia ranked below [[Tokyo]] ($1,191 billion), [[Paris]] ($460 billion), [[London]] ($452 billion), [[Osaka-Kobe]] ($391 billion), [[Mexico City]] ($315 billion), and above [[Washington, D.C.]] ($299 billion).<ref name=cityGDP/>
+
[[Image:Suburban Station Facade.jpg|thumb|200px|Suburban Station]]
−
 
+
[[Image:Inquirerbldgfull.jpg|thumb|200px|The Inquirer Building on North Broad Street.]]
−
The city is home to the [[Philadelphia Stock Exchange]] and several [[Fortune 500]] companies, including [[cable television]] and internet provider [[Comcast]], [[insurance]] companies [[CIGNA]] and [[Lincoln Financial Group]], energy company [[Sunoco]], food services company [[Aramark]], [[Crown Holdings Incorporated]], chemical makers [[Rohm and Haas Company]] and [[FMC Corporation]], pharmaceutical companies [[Wyeth]] and [[GlaxoSmithKline]], [[Boeing]] [[helicopter]]s division, and automotive parts retailer [[Pep Boys]]. Early in the 20th Century, it was also home to the pioneering [[brass era]] [[automobile]] company [[Biddle Motor Car Company|Biddle]].<ref>Clymer, p.176.</ref>
+
[[Image:Philly 30th St. Station.jpg|thumb|200px|30th Street Station, with Cira Centre in the background and statues on the Market Street Bridge over Schuylkill River in the foreground]]
−
 
+
Philadelphia's economy is relatively diversified, with meaningful portions of its total output derived from manufacturing, oil refining, food processing, health care and [[biotechnology]], [[tourism]] and [[financial services]]. According to the Bureau of Economic Analysis, the Philadelphia area had a total gross domestic product of $431 billion in 2016, the eighth-largest metropolitan economy in the United States.<ref> U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, [https://bea.gov/newsreleases/regional/gdp_metro/2017/pdf/gdp_metro0917.pdf Gross Domestic Product by Metropolitan Area, 2016], September 2017. Retrieved February 6, 2018.</ref>
−
The federal government has several facilities in Philadelphia as well. The city served as the capital city of the [[United States]], before the construction of [[Washington, D.C.]] Today, the East Coast operations of the [[United States Mint]] are based near the historic district, and the [[Federal Reserve]] Bank's Philadelphia division is based there as well. Philadelphia is also home to the [[United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania|U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania]] and the [[United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit|U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit]].
 
−
 
 
−
Partly because of the historical presence of the [[Pennsylvania Railroad]], and the large ridership at [[30th Street Station]], [[Amtrak]] also maintains a significant presence in the city. These jobs include customer service representatives and ticket processing and other behind-the-scenes personnel, in addition to the normal functions of the railroad.
 
−
 
 
−
[[Image:Philly Vista.jpg|thumb|200px|left|Baltimore Avenue towards Center City.]]
 
−
 
 
−
The city is also a national center of law because of the [[University of Pennsylvania Law School]], [[Drexel University Earle Mack School of Law]],<ref>[http://www.drexel.edu/law/ Drexel College Of Law]</ref> [[Temple University Beasley School of Law]], [[Rutgers University School of Law - Camden]], [[Villanova University School of Law]], and [[Widener University School of Law]]. Additionally, the headquarters of the [[American Law Institute]] is located in the city.
 
−
 
 
−
Philadelphia is also an important center for medicine, a distinction that it has held since the colonial period. The city is home to the first hospital in the British North American colonies, [[Pennsylvania Hospital]], and the first medical school in what is now the United States, at the [[University of Pennsylvania]] (Penn). Penn, the city's largest private employer, also runs a large teaching hospital and extensive medical system. There are also major hospitals affiliated with [[Temple University|Temple University School of Medicine]], [[Drexel University College of Medicine]], [[Thomas Jefferson University]], and [[Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine]]. Philadelphia also has three distinguished children's hospitals: [[Children's Hospital of Philadelphia]], the nation's first pediatric hospital (located adjacent to the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania), St. Christopher's Hospital, and the Shriners' Hospital. In the city's northern section are Albert Einstein Hospital, and in the northeast section, [[Fox Chase Cancer Center]]. Together, healthcare is the largest sector of employment in the city. Several medical professional associations are headquartered in Philadelphia.
 
−
 
 
−
In part because of Philadelphia's long-running importance as a center for medical research, the region is a major center for the [[pharmaceutical industry]]. [[GlaxoSmithKline]], [[AstraZeneca]], [[Wyeth]], [[Merck & Co.|Merck]], [[GE Healthcare]], [[Johnson and Johnson]] and [[Siemens Medical Solutions]] are just some of the large pharmaceutical companies with operations in the region. The city is also home to the nation's first school of pharmacy, the Philadelphia College of Pharmacy, now called the [[University of the Sciences in Philadelphia]].
 
−
===Shopping===
 
−
[[Image:Italian Market Vegetable Stand 3000px.jpg|thumb|Italian Market, South Philadelphia]]
 
  
−
[[Center City, Philadelphia|Center City]] is home to [[The Gallery at Market East]], The Shops at Liberty Place and The Shops at the Bellevue, and a variety of standalone retail stores. Rittenhouse Row, a section of [[Walnut Street (Philadelphia)|Walnut Street]] in Center City, has higher-end stores and boutiques. Old City and Society Hill, as well, feature upscale boutiques and retailers from local and international merchandisers. Philadelphia also has several neighborhood shopping districts, including [[Manayunk, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania|Manayunk]] and [[Chestnut Hill, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania|Chestnut Hill]]. Also noteworthy is [[South Street (Philadelphia)|South Street]] with blocks of inexpensive boutiques.
+
The city is home to the Philadelphia Stock Exchange and several Fortune 500 companies, including cable television and [[Internet]] provider Comcast, [[insurance]] companies CIGNA and Lincoln Financial Group, energy company Sunoco, food services company Aramark, Crown Holdings Incorporated, chemical makers Rohm and Haas Company and FMC Corporation, pharmaceutical companies Wyeth and GlaxoSmithKline, Boeing helicopters division, and automotive parts retailer Pep Boys. Early in the twentieth century, it was also home to the pioneering brass era [[automobile]] company Biddle.
  
−
The [[Italian Market (Philadelphia)|Italian Market]] in South Philadelphia offers groceries, meats, cheeses and housewares from Italy and other countries. [[Geno's Steaks|Geno's]] and [[Pat's King of Steaks|Pat's]], two famed [[cheesesteak]] outlets, are located here. The [[Reading Terminal Market]] in Center City includes dozens of restaurants, farm stalls, and shops, many run by Amish farmers from nearby [[Lancaster County, Pennsylvania|Lancaster County]]. There are also neighborhood farmers' markets throughout the city.  
+
The federal government has several facilities in Philadelphia as well. The East Coast operations of the [[United States Mint]] are based near the historic district, and the [[Federal Reserve]] Bank's Philadelphia division is based there as well.  
  
−
There are also several large shopping malls in the region, including [[Franklin Mills]] in [[Northeast Philadelphia]] and [[King of Prussia Mall]] in [[King of Prussia]], [[Pennsylvania]]; seven miles outside of Philadelphia. Franklin Mills offers shoppers tax-free clothing and shoes due to its location within the city's boundaries and saw an estimated 18 million visitors in 2006. The King of Prussia Mall is the largest shopping mall on the [[East Coast of the United States|East Coast]] of the [[United States]],<ref>[http://www.philly.com/mld/philly/living/travel/visitors_guide/9732146.htm]</ref> and [[List of largest shopping malls in the United States|the largest shopping mall in the country in terms of leasable retail space]].
+
===Medicine===
 +
Philadelphia is an important center for [[medicine]], a distinction that it has held since the colonial period. The city is home to the first [[hospital]] in the British North American colonies, Pennsylvania Hospital, and the first [[medical school]] in what is now the [[United States]], at the [[University of Pennsylvania]]. The university, the city's largest private employer, also runs a large teaching hospital and extensive medical system. There are also major hospitals affiliated with Temple University School of Medicine, Drexel University College of Medicine, Thomas Jefferson University, and Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine. Philadelphia also has three distinguished children's hospitals: Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, (the nation's first pediatric hospital located adjacent to the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania), St. Christopher's Hospital, and the Shriners' Hospital. Together, health care is the largest sector of employment in the city.  
  
−
Philadelphia is the birthplace of the secondary ticket marketplace. [http://www.wanamakerticket.com Wanamaker Ticket Office], located in Center City, is among the nation's oldest ticket agencies.
+
In part because of Philadelphia's long-running importance as a center for medical [[research]], the region is a major center for the [[pharmaceutical]] industry. GlaxoSmithKline, AstraZeneca, Wyeth, Merck, GE Healthcare, Johnson and Johnson and Siemens Medical Solutions are just some of the large pharmaceutical companies with operations in the region. The city is also home to the nation's first school of [[pharmacy]], the Philadelphia College of Pharmacy, now called the University of the Sciences in Philadelphia.
  
 
===Media===
 
===Media===
  
−
Philadelphia's two major [[newspaper]]s are ''The Philadelphia Inquirer'' and the ''Philadelphia Daily News'', both of which are owned by Philadelphia Media Holdings L.L.C. ''The Philadelphia Inquirer'', founded in 1829, is the third-oldest surviving daily newspaper in the United States.
+
Philadelphia's two major [[newspaper]]s are the ''Philadelphia Inquirer'' and the ''Philadelphia Daily News'', both of which are owned by Philadelphia Media Holdings LLC. The ''Inquirer'', founded in 1829, is the third-oldest surviving daily newspaper in the United States.
  
−
[[Image:Inquirerbldgfull.jpg|thumb|right|The Inquirer Building on North Broad Street.]]
 
 
The first experimental [[radio]] license was issued in Philadelphia in August 1912 to St. Joseph's College. The first commercial radio stations appeared in 1922.  
 
The first experimental [[radio]] license was issued in Philadelphia in August 1912 to St. Joseph's College. The first commercial radio stations appeared in 1922.  
  
 
During the 1930s, the experimental station W3XE, which was owned by Philco Corp, became the first [[television]] station in Philadelphia. The station became [[NBC]]'s first affiliate in 1939.
 
During the 1930s, the experimental station W3XE, which was owned by Philco Corp, became the first [[television]] station in Philadelphia. The station became [[NBC]]'s first affiliate in 1939.
 +
 
===Infrastructure===
 
===Infrastructure===
−
[[Image:Philly 30th St. Station.jpg|thumb|right|30th Street Station, with [[Cira Centre]] in the background and statues on the Market Street Bridge over [[Schuylkill River]] in the foreground.]]
+
Philadelphia is served by the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA), which operates buses, trains, rapid transit, trolleys, and trackless trolleys throughout Philadelphia, the four Pennsylvania suburban counties of Bucks, Chester, Delaware, and Montgomery, in addition to service to Mercer County, New Jersey and New Castle County, Delaware. The city's subway, opened in 1907, is the third-oldest in America. Philadelphia's 30th Street Station is a major [[railroad]] station on [[Amtrak]]'s Northeast Corridor, which offers access to Amtrak, SEPTA, and New Jersey Transit lines.
−
Philadelphia is served by the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority ([[SEPTA]]), which operates [[bus]]es, [[train]]s, [[rapid transit]], [[tram|trolley]]s, and [[trolleybus|trackless trolleys]] throughout Philadelphia, the four Pennsylvania [[suburb]]an counties of [[Bucks County, Pennsylvania|Bucks]], [[Chester County, Pennsylvania|Chester]], [[Delaware County, Pennsylvania|Delaware]], and [[Montgomery County, Pennsylvania|Montgomery]], in addition to service to [[Mercer County, New Jersey]] and [[New Castle County, Delaware]]. The city's subway, opened in 1907, is the third-oldest in America.
 
  
−
SEPTA's [[R1 (SEPTA)|R1]] Regional Rail line offers direct service to the [[Philadelphia International Airport]].
+
Since the early days of rail transport in the United States, Philadelphia has served as hub for several major rail companies, particularly the [[Pennsylvania Railroad]] and the [[Reading Railroad]].  
  
−
Philadelphia's [[30th Street Station]] is a major [[railroad]] station on [[Amtrak]]'s [[Northeast Corridor]], which offers access to Amtrak, SEPTA, and [[New Jersey Transit]] lines.
+
Philadelphia, once home to more than 4,000 trolleys on 65 lines, is one of the few [[North America]]n cities to maintain [[streetcar]] lines. Today, SEPTA operates five "subway-surface" trolleys that run on street-level tracks in West Philadelphia and subway tunnels in Center City.  
  
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The [[PATCO Speedline]] provides [[rapid transit]] service to [[Camden, New Jersey|Camden]], [[Collingswood, New Jersey|Collingswood]], [[Westmont, New Jersey|Westmont]], [[Haddonfield, New Jersey|Haddonfield]], [[Cherry Hill, New Jersey|Woodcrest (Cherry Hill)]], [[Voorhees, New Jersey|Ashland (Voorhees)]], and [[Lindenwold, New Jersey|Lindenwold]], [[New Jersey]], from stations on Locust Street between 16th and 15th, 13th and 12th, and 10th and 9th Streets, and on Market Street at 8th Street.
+
Two [[airport]]s serve Philadelphia: the Philadelphia International Airport (PHL), straddling the southern boundary of the city, and the Northeast Philadelphia Airport (PNE), a general aviation reliever airport in Northeast Philadelphia. As of March 2006, Philadelphia International Airport was the tenth largest airport measured by "traffic movements" (takeoffs and landings), and was also a primary hub for US Airways.
  
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===Airports===
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Philadelphia is a major hub for Greyhound Lines, which operates 24-hour service to points east of the [[Mississippi River]]. In 2006, the Philadelphia Greyhound Terminal was the second busiest Greyhound terminal in the United States, after the Port Authority Bus Terminal in New York.
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Two airports serve Philadelphia: the [[Philadelphia International Airport]] (PHL), straddling the southern boundary of the city, and the [[Northeast Philadelphia Airport]] (PNE), a general aviation reliever airport in [[Northeast Philadelphia]]. Philadelphia International Airport provides scheduled domestic and international air service, while Northeast Philadelphia Airport serves general and corporate aviation. As of March 2006, Philadelphia International Airport was the 10th largest airport measured by "traffic movements" (i.e. takeoffs and landings), and was also a primary hub for [[US Airways]].<ref>[http://www.aci.aero/cda/aci/display/main/aci_content.jsp?zn=aci&cp=1-5-54-57_9_2__ Airports Council International]</ref>
 
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===Roads===
 
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[[Image:Schuylkill Expressway Sept 2007.jpg|thumb|right|The [[Schuylkill Expressway]], approaching [[Center City, Philadelphia|Center City]] from the North.]]
 
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[[Interstate 95 in Pennsylvania|Interstate 95]] runs through the city along the Delaware River as a main north-south artery. The city is also served by the [[Schuylkill Expressway]], a portion of [[Interstate 76 (east)|Interstate 76]] that runs along the [[Schuylkill River]]. It meets the [[Pennsylvania Turnpike]] at [[King of Prussia, Pennsylvania]], providing access to [[Harrisburg, Pennsylvania]] and points west. [[Interstate 676]], the [[Vine Street Expressway]], was completed in 1991 after years of planning. A link between I-95 and I-76, it runs below street level through Center City, connecting to the [[Ben Franklin Bridge]] at its eastern end.
 
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[[Roosevelt Boulevard (Philadelphia)|Roosevelt Boulevard]] and the [[Roosevelt Expressway (Philadelphia)|Roosevelt Expressway]] ([[U.S. Route 1 in Pennsylvania|U.S. 1]]) connect [[Northeast Philadelphia]] with Center City. Woodhaven Road ([[Pennsylvania Route 63|PA Route 63]]), built in 1966, serves the neighborhoods of Northeast Philadelphia, running between [[Interstate 95 in Pennsylvania|Interstate 95]] and the Roosevelt Boulevard (U.S. 1). The Fort Washington Expressway ([[Pennsylvania Route 309]]) extends north from the city's northern border, serving [[Montgomery County, Pennsylvania|Montgomery County]] and [[Bucks County, Pennsylvania|Bucks County]]
 
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[[Interstate 476]], commonly nicknamed the "Blue Route" through [[Delaware County, Pennsylvania|Delaware County]], bypasses the city to the west, serving the city's western suburbs, as well as providing a link to [[Allentown, Pennsylvania|Allentown]] and points north. Similarly, [[Interstate 276]], the Pennsylvania Turnpike's Delaware River Extension, acts as a bypass and commuter route to the north of the city as well as a link to the [[New Jersey Turnpike]] to [[New York]].
 
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However, other planned [[freeway]]s have been canceled, such as an [[Interstate 695 (Pennsylvania)|Interstate 695]] running southwest from downtown, two freeways connecting [[Interstate 95 in Pennsylvania|Interstate 95]] to [[Interstate 76 (east)|Interstate 76]] that would have replaced Girard Avenue and South Street and a freeway upgrade of [[Roosevelt Boulevard]].
 
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The [[Delaware River Port Authority]] operates four bridges in the Philadelphia area across the [[Delaware River]] to [[New Jersey]]: the [[Walt Whitman Bridge]] (I-76), the [[Benjamin Franklin Bridge]] (I-676 and [[U.S. Route 30 in Pennsylvania|US 30]]), the [[Betsy Ross Bridge]] ([[New Jersey Route 90|Route 90]]), and the [[Commodore Barry Bridge]] ([[U.S. Highway 322|US 322]]). The [[Tacony-Palmyra Bridge]] connects [[Pennsylvania Route 73|PA Route 73]] in the [[Tacony]] section of [[Northeast Philadelphia]] with New Jersey's [[New Jersey Route 73|Route 73]] in [[Palmyra, New Jersey|Palmyra]], [[Camden County, New Jersey|Camden County]], and is maintained by the [[Burlington County Bridge Commission]].
 
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===Buses===
 
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Philadelphia is also a major hub for [[Greyhound Lines]], which operates 24-hour service to points east of the [[Mississippi River]]. Most of Greyhound's services in Philadelphia operate to/from the [[Philadelphia Greyhound Terminal]], located at 1001 Filbert Street in Center City Philadelphia. In 2006, the Philadelphia Greyhound Terminal was the second busiest Greyhound terminal in the United States, after the [[Port Authority Bus Terminal]] in New York. Besides Greyhound, six other bus operators provide service to the Center City Greyhound terminal. These are [[Bieber Tourways]], [[Capitol Trailways]], [[Martz Trailways]], [[Peter Pan Bus Lines]], [[Susquehanna Trailways]], and the [[New Jersey Transit Bus Operations|bus division for New Jersey Transit]].
 
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[[Image:Suburban Station Facade.jpg|thumb|Suburban Station]]
 
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[[Image:PhiladelphiaSubwayStationMarketFrankford.jpg|thumb|140px|Market-Frankford Line entrance in Old City]]
 
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===Rail===
 
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{{main|History of rail transport in Philadelphia}}
 
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Since the early days of [[rail transport in the United States]], Philadelphia has served as hub for several major rail companies, particularly the [[Pennsylvania Railroad]] and the [[Reading Railroad]]. The Pennsylvania Railroad first operated [[Broad Street Station (Philadelphia)|Broad Street Station]], then [[30th Street Station (Philadelphia)|30th Street Station]] and [[Suburban Station (Philadelphia)|Suburban Station]], and the Reading Railroad operated out of [[Reading Terminal]], now part of the [[Pennsylvania Convention Center]]. The two companies also operated competing commuter rail systems in the area, known collectively as the Regional Rail system. The two systems today, for the most part still intact but now connected, operate as a single system under the control of the [[Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority|SEPTA]], the regional transit authority. Additionally, Philadelphia is linked to southern [[New Jersey]] via the [[PATCO Speedline]] subway system.
 
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Philadelphia, once home to more than 4,000 trolleys on 65 lines,<ref name="route34">{{cite web | last = | first = | authorlink = | coauthors = | title = Studio 34's Eponymous Trolley, or, A Short History of Route 34| work = | publisher = Studio 34: Yoga Healing Arts | date = 2008 | url = http://www.studio34yoga.com/trolley.shtml| format = | doi = | accessdate=2008-03-11 }} </ref> is one of the few North American cities to maintain [[streetcar]] lines. Today, SEPTA operates five "subway-surface" trolleys that run on street-level tracks in [[West Philadelphia]] and subway tunnels in [[Center City, Philadelphia|Center City]]. SEPTA also recently reintroduced trolley service to the [[Route 15 (SEPTA)|Girard Avenue Line]], Route 15. The route is considered by some a "heritage" line, yet the use of rebuilt [[PCC streetcar|1947 PCC streetcars]] was primarily for budgetary reasons, not a historic tribute.{{Fact|date=November 2008}}
 
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Today, Philadelphia is a hub of the semi-nationalized [[Amtrak]] system, with 30th Street Station being a primary stop on the Washington-Boston [[Northeast Corridor]] and the [[Keystone Corridor]] to [[Harrisburg, Pennsylvania|Harrisburg]] and [[Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania|Pittsburgh]], [[Pennsylvania]]. 30th Street also serves as a major station for services via the Pennsylvania Railroad's former [[Main Line (Pennsylvania Railroad)|Pennsylvania Main Line]] to [[Chicago]]. 30th Street is Amtrak's third-busiest station in numbers of passengers as of [[fiscal year]] 2003. It is also a terminus of [[New Jersey Transit]]'s [[Atlantic City Line]].<ref>{{PDFlink|http://www.njtransit.com/pdf/rail/r0090.pdf|218&nbsp;KB}}</ref>
 
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===Telecommunications===
 
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Southeastern Pennsylvania was, at one time, served only by the [[area code 215|215]] [[area code]], beginning in 1947 when the [[North American Numbering Plan]] of the "[[Bell System]]" went into effect. The area covered by the code was severely truncated when [[area code 610]] was split from 215. Today only the city and its northern suburbs are covered by 215. An [[area code overlay|overlay area code]], 267, was added to the 215 service area in 1997. A plan to introduce [[area code 445]] as an additional overlay in 2001 was delayed and later rescinded.<ref>{{PDFlink|[http://www.nanpa.com/pdf/PL_332_v1.pdf PA 445 Implementation for 215/267 NPA Rescinded—445 NPA Code Reclaimed]|64.5&nbsp;KB}}</ref>
 
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Philadelphia is now also served by Wireless Philadelphia, a citywide initiative to provide [[Wi-Fi]] service. The Proof of Concept area was approved on May 23, 2007, and service is now available in many areas of the city; although discontinued by Earthlink.
 
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[[Image:Philadelphia skyline from south street bridge.jpg|thumb|300px|right|Philadelphia skyline as seen from the South Street Bridge]]
 
  
 
==Demographics==
 
==Demographics==
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As of the census of 2000, there were 1,517,550 people, 590,071 households, and 352,272 families residing in the city. The [[population density]] was 11,233.6/square&nbsp;mile (4,337.3/km²). There were 661,958 housing units at an average density of 4,900.1/sq&nbsp;mi (1,891.9/km²). As of the 2004 Census estimations, there were 1,463,281 people, 658,799 housing units, and the racial makeup of the city was 43.2% [[African American]], 45.0% white, 5.5% [[Asia]]n, 0.3% [[Native American]], 0.1% [[Pacific Islander]], 5.8% from other races, and 2.2% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 8.5% of the population. The top 5 largest ancestries include Irish (13.6%), Italian (9.2%), German (8.1%), Polish (4.3%), and English (2.9%).<ref>http://factfinder.census.gov/servlet/QTTable?_bm=y&-geo_id=16000US4260000&-qr_name=DEC_2000_SF3_U_QTP13&-ds_name=DEC_2000_SF3_U</ref>
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According to the 2016 United States Census Bureau estimate, there were 1,567,872 people residing in Philadelphia, representing a 2.7 percent increase from the 2010 census.
  
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Of the 590,071 households, 27.6% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 32.1% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 22.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 40.3% were non-families. 33.8% of all households were made up of individuals and 11.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.48 and the average family size was 3.22.
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[[Image:Italian Market Vegetable Stand 3000px.jpg|thumb|250px|Italian Market, South Philadelphia]]
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[[Image:Philadelphia skyline from south street bridge.jpg|thumb|250px|right|Philadelphia skyline as seen from the South Street Bridge]]
  
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In the city the population was spread out with 25.3% under the age of 18, 11.1% from 18 to 24, 29.3% from 25 to 44, 20.3% from 45 to 64, and 14.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females there were 86.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 81.8 males.
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Philadelphia has the second largest [[Ireland|Irish]], [[Italy|Italian]], and [[Jamaica]]n populations and the fourth largest [[African American]] population in the nation. Philadelphia also has the fourth largest population of [[Poland|Polish]] residents. In recent years, the Hispanic and Asian American populations have significantly increased. Hispanics have settled throughout the city. Philadelphia is home to the third largest [[Puerto Rico|Puerto Rican]] population in the United States. Many [[Mexico|Mexican]] immigrants have settled in areas around the Italian Market. There are an estimated 10,000 Mexicans living in South Philadelphia. Mexicans and [[Guatemala]]ns also have settled in small communities in North Philadelphia. [[Colombia|Colombian]] immigrants have come to the Olney neighborhood.
  
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The median income for a household in the city was $30,746, and the median income for a family was $37,036. Males had a median income of $34,199 versus $28,477 for females. The per capita income for the city was $16,509. About 18.4% of families and 22.9% of the population were below the [[poverty]] line, including 31.3% of those under age 18 and 16.9% of those age 65 or over.
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The [[Asia]]n population was once concentrated in the city's thriving Chinatown, but now [[Korea]]n Americans have come to Olney, and [[Vietnam]]ese have forged bazaars next to the Italian Market in South Philadelphia. Concentrations of [[Cambodia]]n-American neighborhoods can be found in North and South Philadelphia. [[India]]ns and [[Arab]]s have come to Northeast Philadelphia, joining [[Russia]]n and [[Ukraine|Ukrainian]] immigrants. This large influx of Asians has given Philadelphia one of the largest populations of Vietnamese, Cambodians, [[China|Chinese]], and Koreans in [[United States]]. The Philadelphia region also has the fourth largest population of Indian Americans. The [[West Indies|West Indian]] population is concentrated in Cedar Park. [[Germany|Germans]], [[Greece|Greeks]], Chinese, [[Japan|Japanese]], [[England|English]], [[Pakistan]]is, [[Iran]]ians, and also immigrants from the former [[Yugoslavia]] along with other ethnic groups can be found throughout the city.
  
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As of 2008 more than 500,000 immigrants call the Philadelphia metropolitan area home.<ref name=immigrants>{{cite news |url=http://www.philly.com/inquirer/local/20081113_Once_again__Phila__is_gateway_for_immigrants.html |title=Once again, Phila. is gateway for immigrants |first=Michael |last=Matza |date=2008-11-13 |accessdate=2008-11-14 |work=Philadelphia Inquirer}}</ref> More than one-fifth of these immigrants have arrived since 2000, resulting in an increase of 113,000 immigrants between the years 2000 and 2006. This is nearly the same amount of immigrants that arrived during the decade of the 1990s, who today comprise 9% of the city's population. As reported by the Brookings Institution, the Philadelphia area is poised to re-emerge as a destination for immigrants, a longtime characteristic of the region that stalled in the mid-20th century.
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==Education==
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[[Image:Penn campus 2.jpg|thumb|250px|[[University of Pennsylvania]]]]
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Philadelphia has the second largest Irish, Italian, and [[Jamaica]]n populations and the fourth largest [[African American]] population in the nation. Philadelphia also has the fourth largest population of [[Poland|Polish]] residents. In recent years, the Hispanic and Asian American populations have significantly increased. Hispanics have settled throughout the city, especially around El Centro de Oro. Philadelphia is home to the third largest Puerto Rican population in the United States. In recent years many Mexican immigrants have come to areas around the Italian Market. There are an estimated 10,000 Mexicans living in South Philadelphia. Mexicans and Guatemalans also have settled in small communities in North Philadelphia. Colombian immigrants have also come to the Olney neighborhood. The Asian population was once concentrated in the city's thriving Chinatown, but now Korean Americans have come to Olney, and [[Vietnam]]ese have forged bazaars next to the Italian Market in South Philadelphia. Concentrations of Cambodian American neighborhoods can be found in North and South Philadelphia. [[India]]ns and [[Arab]]s have come to Northeast Philadelphia along with Russian and Ukrainian immigrants. This large influx of Asians has given Philadelphia one of the largest populations of Vietnamese, Cambodians, Chinese, and Koreans in [[United States]]. The Philadelphia region also has the fourth largest population of Indian Americans. The [[West Indies|West Indian]] population is concentrated in Cedar Park. [[Germans]], [[Greeks]], [[Han Chinese|Chinese]], [[Japanese people|Japanese]], [[English people|English]], [[Pakistanis]], [[Iranians]], and also immigrants from the former [[Yugoslavia]] along with other ethnic groups can be found throughout the city.
+
[[Education]] in Philadelphia is provided by many private and public institutions. The School District of Philadelphia runs the city's [[public school]]s. The Philadelphia School District is the eighth largest school district in the United States with 210,432 students in 346 public and charter schools.
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At the 2007 U.S. Census estimates, the city's population was 43.9% White (39.4% non-Hispanic-White alone), 44.9% Black or African American (43.0% non-Hispanic Black or African American alone), 0.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 5.7% Asian, 0.1% Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander, 6.7% from other races and 1.6% from two or more races. 10.3% of the total population were Hispanic or Latino of any race (most of them Puerto Ricans).<ref>http://factfinder.census.gov/servlet/ADPTable?_bm=y&-context=adp&-qr_name=ACS_2007_3YR_G00_DP3YR5&-ds_name=ACS_2007_3YR_G00_&-tree_id=3307&-redoLog=true&-_caller=geoselect&-geo_id=16000US4260000&-format=&-_lang=en</ref>
 
  
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==Education==
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===Higher education===
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[[Image:Penn campus 2.jpg|thumb|[[University of Pennsylvania]]]]
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Philadelphia is one of the largest [[college]] towns in the United States and has the second-largest student concentration on the [[East Coast of the United States|East Coast]], with over 120,000 college and university students enrolled within the city and nearly 300,000 in the metropolitan area. There are over 80 colleges, [[university|universities]], trade, and specialty schools in the Philadelphia region. The city contains three major research universities: the [[University of Pennsylvania]], [[Drexel University]], and [[Temple University]].
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[[Image:BarbelinWalkway.jpg|150px|thumb|left|Walkway at [[Saint Joseph's University]]]]
 
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===Elementary and secondary===
 
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[[Education]] in Philadelphia is provided by many private and public institutions. The School District of Philadelphia runs the city's public schools. The Philadelphia School District is the eighth largest school district in the United States with 210,432 students in 346 public and charter schools.
 
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===Colleges and universities===
 
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Philadelphia is one of the largest college towns in the United States and has the second-largest student concentration on the East Coast with over 120,000 college and university students enrolled within the city and nearly 300,000 in the metropolitan area. There are over 80 colleges, universities, trade, and specialty schools in the Philadelphia region. The city contains three major research universities: the [[University of Pennsylvania]], [[Drexel University]], and [[Temple University]].
 
  
 
==Culture==
 
==Culture==
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[[Image:Independence Hall.jpg|thumb|right|[[Independence Hall (United States)|Independence Hall]] in Philadelphia]]
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[[Image:Independence Hall.jpg|thumb|right|250px|[[Independence Hall (United States)|Independence Hall]] in Philadelphia]]
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Philadelphia contains many [[National Historical Park|national historical sites]] that relate to the founding of the United States. [[Independence National Historical Park]] is the center of these historical landmarks. [[Independence Hall (United States)|Independence Hall]], where the [[United States Declaration of Independence|Declaration of Independence]] was signed, and the [[Liberty Bell]] are the city's most famous attractions. Other historic sites include homes for [[Edgar Allan Poe National Historic Site|Edgar Allan Poe]], [[Betsy Ross House|Betsy Ross]], and [[Thaddeus Kosciuszko National Memorial|Thaddeus Kosciuszko]], early government buildings like the [[First Bank of the United States|First]] and [[Second Bank of the United States|Second Banks of the United States]], [[Fort Mifflin]], and the [[Gloria Dei (Old Swedes') Church National Historic Site]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cr.nps.gov/nhl/designations/Lists/PA01.pdf |title=Listing of National Historic Landmarks by State (Pennsylvania) |accessmonthday=August 8 |accessyear=2006 |year=2004 |month=March |format=PDF |publisher=National Park Service}}</ref>
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Philadelphia contains many national historical sites that relate to the founding of the [[United States]]. Independence National Historical Park is the center of these historical landmarks. [[Independence Hall (United States)|Independence Hall]], where the [[United States Declaration of Independence|Declaration of Independence]] was signed, and the [[Liberty Bell]] are the city's most famous attractions. Other historic sites include homes for [[Edgar Allan Poe]], [[Betsy Ross]], and [[Thaddeus Kosciuszko]].
  
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Philadelphia's major science [[museum]]s include the [[Franklin Institute]], which contains the Benjamin Franklin National Memorial, the Academy of Natural Sciences, and the University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology. History museums include the National Constitution Center, the Atwater Kent Museum of Philadelphia History, the National Museum of American [[Jewish]] History, the [[African American]] Museum in Philadelphia, and the Historical Society of Pennsylvania. Philadelphia is home to the United States' first [[zoo]] and [[hospital]].
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Philadelphia's major [[science]] [[museum]]s include the Franklin Institute, the Academy of Natural Sciences, and the [[University of Pennsylvania]] Museum of [[Archaeology]] and [[Anthropology]]. [[History]] museums include the National Constitution Center, the National Museum of American Jewish History, the African American Museum, and the Historical Society of Pennsylvania. Philadelphia is home to the United States' first [[zoo]] and [[hospital]].
  
 
===Arts===
 
===Arts===
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[[Image:Philly042107-014-RockyStatue.jpg|thumb|left|Two statues, ''The Amazon'' and ''Rocky'', outside the Philadelphia Museum of Art.]]
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[[Image:Philly042107-014-RockyStatue.jpg|thumb|250px|Two statues, ''The Amazon'' and ''Rocky'', outside the Philadelphia Museum of Art.]]
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The city contains many [[art]] [[museum]]s such as the [[Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts]] and the Rodin Museum, the largest collection of work by [[Auguste Rodin]] outside of France. The city’s major art museum, the [[Philadelphia Museum of Art]], is one of the largest art museums in the United States.
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[[Image:KeysToCommunity.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Philadelphia sculptor James Peniston's ''Keys To Community'' in the Old City neighborhood, one of the city's many public artworks featuring images of [[Benjamin Franklin]]]]
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The city contains many [[art]] [[museum]]s such as the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, the Barnes Foundation, and the Rodin Museum, the largest collection of work by [[Auguste Rodin]] outside France. The Philadelphia Museum of Art is one of the largest art museums in the United States. The city is also home to a profusion of art galleries.
  
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The city is home to the Philadelphia Sketch Club, one of the country's oldest artists' clubs; and to a profusion of art galleries, many of which participate in the [[First Friday]] event. The first Friday of every month galleries in Old City are open late. Annual events include film festivals and parades, the most famous being the [[New Year's Day]] [[Mummers Parade]].  
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Areas such as South Street and Old City have a vibrant night life. The Avenue of the Arts in Center City contains many restaurants and [[Theater|theaters]], such as the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts, which is home to the [[Philadelphia Orchestra]], and the Academy of Music, the nation's oldest continually operating venue, home to the Opera Company of Philadelphia.
  
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Areas such as South Street and [[Old City (Philadelphia)|Old City]] have a vibrant night life. The [[Avenue of the Arts, Philadelphia|Avenue of the Arts]] in Center City contains many restaurants and [[Theater|theaters]], such as the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts, which is home to the Philadelphia Orchestra, and the Academy of Music, the nation's oldest continually operating venue, home to the Opera Company of Philadelphia.
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Philadelphia has more public art than any other American city. In 1872, the Fairmount Park Art Association was created, the first private association in the United States dedicated to integrating public art and [[urban planning]]. In 1959, lobbying by the Artists Equity Association helped create the Percent for Art ordinance, the first for a United States city. The program, which has funded more than 200 pieces of public art, is administered by the Philadelphia Office of Arts and Culture, the city's art agency.
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[[Image:KeysToCommunity.jpg|right|thumbnail|Philadelphia sculptor James Peniston's ''Keys To Community'' in the Old City neighborhood, one of the city's many public artworks featuring images of [[Benjamin Franklin]]]]
 
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Philadelphia has more [[public art]] than any other American city. In 1872, the Fairmount Park Art Association was created, the first private association in the United States dedicated to integrating public art and [[urban planning]]. In 1959, lobbying by the Artists Equity Association helped create the Percent for Art ordinance, the first for a U.S. city. The program, which has funded more than 200 pieces of public art, is administered by the Philadelphia Office of Arts and Culture, the city's art agency.
 
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In particular, Philadelphia has more murals than any other U.S. city, thanks in part to the 1984 creation of the Department of Recreation's Mural Arts Program, which seeks to beautify neighborhoods and provide an outlet for [[graffiti]] artists. The program has funded more than 2,700 [[mural]]s by professional, staff and volunteer artists.
 
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Philadelphia has had a prominent role in music. In the 1970s, [[Philadelphia soul]] influenced the music of that and later eras. On July 13 1985, Philadelphia hosted the American end of the Live Aid concert at John F. Kennedy Stadium. The city reprised this role for the Live 8 concert, bringing some 700,000 people to the Ben Franklin Parkway on July 2 2005.
 
  
 +
Philadelphia has more [[mural]]s than any other United States city, thanks in part to the 1984 creation of the Department of Recreation's Mural Arts Program, which seeks to beautify neighborhoods and provide an outlet for [[graffiti]] artists. The program has funded more than 2,700 murals by professional, staff, and volunteer artists.
  
 +
Philadelphia has had a prominent role in [[music]]. In the 1970s, Philadelphia soul influenced the music of that and later eras.
  
 
===Sports===
 
===Sports===
 +
Philadelphia has a long history of professional sports teams, and is one of thirteen United States cities to have all four major sports: the Philadelphia Eagles of the [[National Football League]], the Philadelphia Flyers of the [[National Hockey League]], the Philadelphia Phillies in the [[National League]] of [[Major League Baseball]], and the Philadelphia 76ers in the [[National Basketball Association]].
  
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Philadelphia has a long history of professional sports teams, and is one of thirteen U.S. cities to have all four major sports: the Philadelphia Eagles of the National Football League, the Philadelphia Flyers of the [[National Hockey League]], the Philadelphia Phillies in the [[National League]] of [[Major League Baseball]], and the Philadelphia 76ers in the [[National Basketball Association]].  
+
Philadelphia is also known for the Philadelphia Big 5, a group of five Division I college [[basketball]] programs: [[Saint Joseph's University]], [[University of Pennsylvania]], [[La Salle University]], [[Temple University]], and [[Villanova University]]. The sixth NCAA Division I school in Philadelphia is [[Drexel University]]. At least one of the teams is competitive nearly every year and at least one team has made the NCAA tournament for the past four decades.
  
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Philadelphia is also known for the Philadelphia Big 5, a group of five Division I college basketball programs: [[Saint Joseph's University]], [[University of Pennsylvania]], [[La Salle University]], [[Temple University]], and [[Villanova University]]. The sixth NCAA Division I school in Philadelphia is [[Drexel University]]. At least one of the teams is competitive nearly every year and at least one team has made the NCAA tournament for the past four decades.
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In February 2018, the Philadelphia Eagles won the [[NFL]] 2017 season Super Bowl.
  
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In February 2008, Philadelphia beat out competition to be awarded the 16th [[Major League Soccer]] franchise. They will enter the league in 2010 calling Chester Stadium their home (a soccer specific stadium) in Chester, PA.
+
==Notes==
 +
<references/>
  
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==Looking to the future==
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==References==
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+
*Bowen, Catherine Drinker. ''Miracle at Philadelphia: the story of the Constitutional Convention, May to September 1787''. Boston: Little, Brown, 1966. ISBN 978-0316103985
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==Notes==
+
*Countryman, Matthew. ''Up south: civil rights and Black power in Philadelphia. Politics and culture in modern America''. Philadelphia: University of Pennsylvania Press, 2006. ISBN 978-0812220025
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{{reflist|2}}
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*Wolfinger, James. ''Philadelphia divided: race & politics in the City of Brotherly Love''. Chapel Hill: University of North Carolina Press, 2007. ISBN 0807831492
  
 
==External links==
 
==External links==
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{{sisterlinks|Philadelphia}}
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All links retrieved November 23, 2022.
 
*[http://www.phila.gov Official Philadelphia government website]
 
*[http://www.phila.gov Official Philadelphia government website]
 
*[http://www.phillyhistory.org/PhotoArchive Philadelphia history at Philly History]
 
*[http://www.phillyhistory.org/PhotoArchive Philadelphia history at Philly History]
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*[http://www.philadelphiabuildings.org Philadelphia Architects and Buildings]
 
*[http://www.philadelphiabuildings.org Philadelphia Architects and Buildings]
 
*[http://www.philadelphiausa.travel Philadelphia Convention & Visitors Bureau]
 
*[http://www.philadelphiausa.travel Philadelphia Convention & Visitors Bureau]
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*[http://www.ushistory.org ushistory.org from the Independence Hall Association]
 
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*[http://www.philly.com/mld/philly/ Philly.com, home page of ''The Philadelphia Inquirer'' and ''Philadelphia Daily News'']
 
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*[http://cml.upenn.edu/nbase/ neighborhoodBase] Statistical mapping system for Philadelphia run by the [[University of Pennsylvania]]
 
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*[http://www.ppdonline.org/hq_statistics.php Philadelphia Police Department]
 
 
*[http://www.gophila.com Greater Philadelphia Tourism Marketing Corporation]
 
*[http://www.gophila.com Greater Philadelphia Tourism Marketing Corporation]
  
 
[[Category:Geography]]
 
[[Category:Geography]]
 
[[Category:United States]]
 
[[Category:United States]]
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[[Category:Cities]]
 
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Latest revision as of 03:00, 24 November 2022

City of Philadelphia
—  Consolidated city-county  —
Philly skyline.jpg
Flag of City of Philadelphia
Flag		 Official seal of City of Philadelphia
Seal
Motto: "Philadelphia maneto" ("Let brotherly love endure")
Location of City of Philadelphia
Location of City of Philadelphia
Country United States
Commonwealth Pennsylvania
County Philadelphia
Founded October 27, 1682
Incorporated October 25, 1701
Government
 - Mayor Jim Kenney (D)
Area
 - Consolidated city-county 142.6 sq mi (369.3 km²)
 - Land 135.1 sq mi (326.144 km²)
 - Water 7.5 sq mi (19.6 km²)
 - Urban 1,799.5 sq mi (4,660.7 km²)
 - Metro 4,629 sq mi (11,989 km²)
Elevation 39 ft (12 m)
Population (2016)[3]
 - Consolidated city-county 1,567,872
 - Density 11,685.02/sq mi (4,511.61/km²)
 - Metro 6,069,875 (US: 7th)[1]
 - CSA 7,183,479 (US: 8th)[2]
 - Demonym Philadelphian
Time zone EST (UTC-5)
 - Summer (DST) EDT (UTC-4)
ZIP code 191xx
Area code(s) 215, 267
Website: http://www.phila.gov


Philadelphia is the largest city in Pennsylvania and ranks sixth in population among cities in the United States. In 2007, the population of the city proper was estimated to be nearly 1.5 million, while the Greater Philadelphia metropolitan area was the fifth-largest in the United States. A commercial, educational, and cultural center, the city was once the second-largest in the British Empire (after London) and the social and geographical center of the original 13 American colonies.

The city's founder William Penn named it Philadelphia, which is Greek for brotherly love. As a Quaker, Penn had experienced religious persecution and wanted his colony to be a place where anyone could fully experience freedom of religion. To this day, a popular nickname for Philadelphia is the City of Brotherly Love, though it is often informally referred to as Philly.

During the eighteenth century, Philadelphia eclipsed New York City in political and social importance. It was in this city that some of the ideas, and subsequent actions, gave birth to the American Revolution and Declaration of Independence and the United States Constitution. It was once the most populous city of the young United States and served as the nation's first capital.

Geography and cityscape

A simulated-color satellite image of Philadelphia taken on NASA's Landsat 7 satellite. The Delaware River is visible in this shot.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 142.6 square miles (369.3 km²). Bodies of water in and around Philadelphia include the Delaware River and Schuylkill River, and the Cobbs, Wissahickon, and Pennypack Creeks. The lowest point is at sea level, while the highest point is in Chestnut Hill, rising approximately 445 feet (136 m) above sea level. Philadelphia is located on the fall line separating the Atlantic Coastal Plain from the Piedmont.

Philadelphia lies at the northern periphery of the temperate climate zone. Summers are typically hot and muggy, fall and spring are generally mild, and winter is cold. Snowfall is variable, with some winters bringing moderate snow and others snowstorms. Annual snowfall averages 21 inches (533 mm) Precipitation is generally spread throughout the year, with eight to 11 wet days per month, at an average annual rate of 42 inches (1,067 mm).

Neighborhoods

Philadelphia has many neighborhoods, each with its own identity. The large Philadelphia sections, North, Northeast, Northwest, West, South, and Southwest Philadelphia surround Center City, which falls within the original city limits prior to consolidation in 1854. Numerous smaller neighborhoods within the areas coincide with the boroughs, townships, and other communities that made up Philadelphia County before their absorption by the city. Other neighborhoods formed based on ethnicity, religion, culture, and commercial reasons.

Architecture

Row houses in West Philadelphia.

Philadelphia's architectural history dates back to Colonial times and includes a wide range of styles. The earliest structures were constructed with logs, but brick structures were common by 1700. During the eighteenth century, the cityscape was dominated by Georgian architecture, including Independence Hall. In the first decades of the nineteenth century, Federal architecture and Greek Revival architecture were popular. In the second half of the nineteenth century, Victorian architecture was common. Numerous glass and granite skyscrapers were built from the late 1980s onwards. In 2007, the Comcast Center became the city's tallest building.

For much of Philadelphia's history, the typical home has been the row house. For a time, row houses built elsewhere in the United States were known as "Philadelphia rows." There is a variety of row houses throughout the city, from Victorian-style homes in North Philadelphia to twin row houses in West Philadelphia. While newer homes are scattered throughout the city, much of Philadelphia's housing is from the early twentieth century or older. The age of the city's homes has created numerous problems, which has led to blight and vacant lots in many parts of the city. Other neighborhoods, such as Society Hill, which has the largest concentration of eighteenth-century architecture in the United States, have been rehabilitated and gentrified.

History

The Philadelphia area was the location of the Lenape (Delaware) Indian village Shackamaxon. Europeans arrived in the Delaware Valley in the early 1600s, with the first settlements founded by the Dutch, British, and Swedish.

The Swedes sought to expand their influence by creating an agricultural (tobacco) and fur-trading colony to bypass French and British merchants. The New Sweden Company included Swedish, Dutch, and German stockholders. The first Swedish expedition to North America embarked from the port of Gothenburg in late 1637. Part of this colony, called New Sweden or Nya Sverige, eventually included land on the west side of the Delaware River from just below the Schuylkill River: in other words, today's Philadelphia, southeast Pennsylvania, Delaware, and Maryland.

In 1644, New Sweden supported the Susquehannocks in their victory in a war against the English province of Maryland. A series of events led the Dutch—led by governor Peter Stuyvesant—to move an army to the Delaware River in 1655. Though New Netherland now nominally controlled the colony, the Swedish and Finnish settlers continued to enjoy a degree of local autonomy, having their own militia, religion, court, and lands. This status lasted officially until the English conquest of the New Netherland colony in 1663-1664 and continued unofficially until the area was included in William Penn's charter for Pennsylvania.

William Penn's colony

Benjamin Franklin
Penn's Treaty with the Indians from The story of the United States by Marshall, H. E. (Henrietta Elizabeth)

In 1681, as part of a repayment of a debt, Charles II of England granted Penn a charter for what would become the Pennsylvania colony. Part of Penn's plan was to create a city on the Delaware River to serve as a port and place for government. Despite already having been given the land, Penn bought the land from the local Lenape to be on good terms with the Native Americans and ensure peace for his colony. As a Quaker, Penn had experienced religious persecution and wanted his colony to be a place where anyone could worship freely despite their religion. Penn named the city Philadelphia, which is Greek for brotherly love (philos, "love" or "friendship," and adelphos, "brother").

Penn's plan was that Philadelphia would be like an English rural town instead of a city. The city's roads were designed with a grid plan, with the idea that houses and businesses would be spread out and surrounded by gardens and orchards. Instead, the inhabitants crowded by the Delaware River and subdivided and resold their lots. Before Penn left Philadelphia for the last time, he issued the Charter of 1701 establishing Philadelphia as a city. The city soon established itself as an important trading center. A significant contributor to Philadelphia at the time was Benjamin Franklin, who helped improve city services and founded new ones, such as the American colonies' first hospital.

Due to Philadelphia's central location, during the American Revolution the city was used as the location for the First Continental Congress before the war, the Second Continental Congress, which signed the United States Declaration of Independence, during the war, and the Constitutional Convention after the war. A number of battles during the war were fought in Philadelphia and its environs. The city served as the United States capital in the 1790s.

Nineteenth century

The state government left Philadelphia in 1799 and the federal government left soon after, in 1800. Philadelphia was still the largest city in the United States and a financial and cultural center. New York City soon surpassed Philadelphia in population, but construction of roads, canals, and railroads helped turn Philadelphia into the United States' first major industrial city. Throughout the nineteenth century, Philadelphia was home to a variety of industries and businesses, the largest being textiles. Major corporations included the Baldwin Locomotive Works, William Cramp and Sons Ship and Engine Building Company, and the Pennsylvania Railroad.

Industry, along with the United States Centennial, was celebrated in 1876 with the Centennial Exposition, the first official World's Fair in the United States. Immigrants, mostly German and Irish, settled in Philadelphia and the surrounding districts. The rise in population of the surrounding districts helped lead to the Act of Consolidation of 1854 which extended the city of Philadelphia to include all of Philadelphia County. In the latter half of the century immigrants from Russia, Eastern Europe, and Italy and African Americans from the southern U.S. settled in the city.

Twentieth century

8th and Market Street, showing the Strawbridge and Clothier department store, 1910s.

By the twentieth century, Philadelphians were seemingly content with the city's lack of change or excitement, and single-party politics, centered on the city's entrenched Republican political machine, allowed corruption to flourish in all parts of city government. The first reform came in 1917, when outrage over the murder of a police officer during that year's election led to the shrinking of the Philadelphia City Council. In the 1920s the public flouting of Prohibition laws, mob violence, and police involvement in illegal activities led to the appointment of a brigadier general of the United States Marine Corps as director of public safety, but political pressure prevented any long-term success in fighting crime and corruption.

After struggling through the Great Depression, World War II created jobs and brought the city out of the Depression. However, after the war there was a severe housing shortage. About half the city's housing had been built in the nineteenth century, and many lacked proper facilities. Adding to housing problems was white flight, as African Americans and Puerto Ricans moved into new neighborhoods, resulting in racial tension. After a population peak of over two million residents in 1950 the city's population declined while that of the neighboring suburban counties grew.

After a five-year investigation into corruption in city government, a new city charter was drafted in 1950 that strengthened the position of the mayor and weakened the city council. The first Democratic mayor since the early nineteenth century was elected in 1951. After two early reform mayors, a Democratic political organization had established itself, replacing the Republican one.

Protests, riots, and racial tensions were common in the 1960s and 1970s. Gang violence plagued the city, most of it drug-related . In the mid 1980s, crack houses invaded the city's slums. Confrontations between police and the radical group MOVE culminated when the police dropped a satchel bomb on their headquarters, starting a fire that killed eleven MOVE members and destroyed 62 neighboring houses.

Revitalization and gentrification of neighborhoods began in the 1960s and continued with much of the development in the Center City and University City areas of the city. After many of the old manufacturers and businesses had left Philadelphia or shut down, the city started attracting service businesses and to aggressively market itself as a tourist destination. Glass and granite skyscrapers were built in Center City. Historic areas such as Independence National Historical Park are now among the most desirable living areas of Center City. This has slowed the city's 40-year population decline after losing nearly a quarter of its population.

Law, government, and politics

City Hall decorated for the holidays.

The city is the seat of its own county. All county functions were assumed by the city in 1952, which has been coterminous with the county since 1854.

The city uses the "strong-mayor" version of the mayor-council form of government, which is headed by one mayor, in whom executive authority is vested. The mayor is limited to two consecutive four-year terms under the city's home rule charter, but can run for the position again after an intervening term. The Democratic Party tends to dominate local politics so thoroughly that the Democratic primary for mayor is often more noticeable than the general mayoral election. The legislative branch, the Philadelphia City Council, consists of ten council members representing individual districts and seven members elected at large.

Politics

From the Civil War until the mid-twentieth century, Philadelphia was a bastion of the Republican Party, which arose from the staunch pro-Northern views of Philadelphia residents during and after the war. After the Great Depression, Democratic registrations increased, but the city was not carried by Democrat Franklin D. Roosevelt in his landslide victory of 1932 (in which Pennsylvania was one of the few states won by Republican Herbert Hoover). While other Northern industrial cities were electing Democratic mayors in the 1930s and 1940s, Philadelphia did not follow suit until 1951. The city is now one of the most Democratic in the country, despite the frequent election of Republicans to statewide offices.

Philadelphia once comprised six congressional districts. As a result of the city's declining population, it now has four.

Crime

Like many American cities, Philadelphia saw a gradual yet pronounced rise in crime in the years following World War II. Murders peaked in 1990 at 525. There were an average of about 400 murders a year for most of the 1990s. The murder count dropped in 2002 to 288, then surged four years later to 406. Out of the ten most populous cities in the United States in 2006, Philadelphia had the highest homicide rate at 28 per 100,000 people. In 2006, there were 4,479.3 crimes per 100,000 people in Philadelphia.[4] In 2008, Philadelphia was ranked as the 22nd most dangerous American city. [5]

In 2015, according to annual homicide statistics and crime maps provided on the Philadelphia Police Department's website, there were 280 murders in the city. The same departmental site documents that the number of homicides fell slightly the following year, with 277 murders in Philadelphia in 2016, rising to 317 in 2017.[6]

Economy

Comcast Center, Philadelphia's newest office building.
Baltimore Avenue towards Center City.
Suburban Station
The Inquirer Building on North Broad Street.
30th Street Station, with Cira Centre in the background and statues on the Market Street Bridge over Schuylkill River in the foreground

Philadelphia's economy is relatively diversified, with meaningful portions of its total output derived from manufacturing, oil refining, food processing, health care and biotechnology, tourism and financial services. According to the Bureau of Economic Analysis, the Philadelphia area had a total gross domestic product of $431 billion in 2016, the eighth-largest metropolitan economy in the United States.[7]

The city is home to the Philadelphia Stock Exchange and several Fortune 500 companies, including cable television and Internet provider Comcast, insurance companies CIGNA and Lincoln Financial Group, energy company Sunoco, food services company Aramark, Crown Holdings Incorporated, chemical makers Rohm and Haas Company and FMC Corporation, pharmaceutical companies Wyeth and GlaxoSmithKline, Boeing helicopters division, and automotive parts retailer Pep Boys. Early in the twentieth century, it was also home to the pioneering brass era automobile company Biddle.

The federal government has several facilities in Philadelphia as well. The East Coast operations of the United States Mint are based near the historic district, and the Federal Reserve Bank's Philadelphia division is based there as well.

Medicine

Philadelphia is an important center for medicine, a distinction that it has held since the colonial period. The city is home to the first hospital in the British North American colonies, Pennsylvania Hospital, and the first medical school in what is now the United States, at the University of Pennsylvania. The university, the city's largest private employer, also runs a large teaching hospital and extensive medical system. There are also major hospitals affiliated with Temple University School of Medicine, Drexel University College of Medicine, Thomas Jefferson University, and Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine. Philadelphia also has three distinguished children's hospitals: Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, (the nation's first pediatric hospital located adjacent to the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania), St. Christopher's Hospital, and the Shriners' Hospital. Together, health care is the largest sector of employment in the city.

In part because of Philadelphia's long-running importance as a center for medical research, the region is a major center for the pharmaceutical industry. GlaxoSmithKline, AstraZeneca, Wyeth, Merck, GE Healthcare, Johnson and Johnson and Siemens Medical Solutions are just some of the large pharmaceutical companies with operations in the region. The city is also home to the nation's first school of pharmacy, the Philadelphia College of Pharmacy, now called the University of the Sciences in Philadelphia.

Media

Philadelphia's two major newspapers are the Philadelphia Inquirer and the Philadelphia Daily News, both of which are owned by Philadelphia Media Holdings LLC. The Inquirer, founded in 1829, is the third-oldest surviving daily newspaper in the United States.

The first experimental radio license was issued in Philadelphia in August 1912 to St. Joseph's College. The first commercial radio stations appeared in 1922.

During the 1930s, the experimental station W3XE, which was owned by Philco Corp, became the first television station in Philadelphia. The station became NBC's first affiliate in 1939.

Infrastructure

Philadelphia is served by the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA), which operates buses, trains, rapid transit, trolleys, and trackless trolleys throughout Philadelphia, the four Pennsylvania suburban counties of Bucks, Chester, Delaware, and Montgomery, in addition to service to Mercer County, New Jersey and New Castle County, Delaware. The city's subway, opened in 1907, is the third-oldest in America. Philadelphia's 30th Street Station is a major railroad station on Amtrak's Northeast Corridor, which offers access to Amtrak, SEPTA, and New Jersey Transit lines.

Since the early days of rail transport in the United States, Philadelphia has served as hub for several major rail companies, particularly the Pennsylvania Railroad and the Reading Railroad.

Philadelphia, once home to more than 4,000 trolleys on 65 lines, is one of the few North American cities to maintain streetcar lines. Today, SEPTA operates five "subway-surface" trolleys that run on street-level tracks in West Philadelphia and subway tunnels in Center City.

Two airports serve Philadelphia: the Philadelphia International Airport (PHL), straddling the southern boundary of the city, and the Northeast Philadelphia Airport (PNE), a general aviation reliever airport in Northeast Philadelphia. As of March 2006, Philadelphia International Airport was the tenth largest airport measured by "traffic movements" (takeoffs and landings), and was also a primary hub for US Airways.

Philadelphia is a major hub for Greyhound Lines, which operates 24-hour service to points east of the Mississippi River. In 2006, the Philadelphia Greyhound Terminal was the second busiest Greyhound terminal in the United States, after the Port Authority Bus Terminal in New York.

Demographics

According to the 2016 United States Census Bureau estimate, there were 1,567,872 people residing in Philadelphia, representing a 2.7 percent increase from the 2010 census.

Italian Market, South Philadelphia
Philadelphia skyline as seen from the South Street Bridge

Philadelphia has the second largest Irish, Italian, and Jamaican populations and the fourth largest African American population in the nation. Philadelphia also has the fourth largest population of Polish residents. In recent years, the Hispanic and Asian American populations have significantly increased. Hispanics have settled throughout the city. Philadelphia is home to the third largest Puerto Rican population in the United States. Many Mexican immigrants have settled in areas around the Italian Market. There are an estimated 10,000 Mexicans living in South Philadelphia. Mexicans and Guatemalans also have settled in small communities in North Philadelphia. Colombian immigrants have come to the Olney neighborhood.

The Asian population was once concentrated in the city's thriving Chinatown, but now Korean Americans have come to Olney, and Vietnamese have forged bazaars next to the Italian Market in South Philadelphia. Concentrations of Cambodian-American neighborhoods can be found in North and South Philadelphia. Indians and Arabs have come to Northeast Philadelphia, joining Russian and Ukrainian immigrants. This large influx of Asians has given Philadelphia one of the largest populations of Vietnamese, Cambodians, Chinese, and Koreans in United States. The Philadelphia region also has the fourth largest population of Indian Americans. The West Indian population is concentrated in Cedar Park. Germans, Greeks, Chinese, Japanese, English, Pakistanis, Iranians, and also immigrants from the former Yugoslavia along with other ethnic groups can be found throughout the city.

Education

University of Pennsylvania

Education in Philadelphia is provided by many private and public institutions. The School District of Philadelphia runs the city's public schools. The Philadelphia School District is the eighth largest school district in the United States with 210,432 students in 346 public and charter schools.

Higher education

Philadelphia is one of the largest college towns in the United States and has the second-largest student concentration on the East Coast, with over 120,000 college and university students enrolled within the city and nearly 300,000 in the metropolitan area. There are over 80 colleges, universities, trade, and specialty schools in the Philadelphia region. The city contains three major research universities: the University of Pennsylvania, Drexel University, and Temple University.

Culture

Independence Hall in Philadelphia

Philadelphia contains many national historical sites that relate to the founding of the United States. Independence National Historical Park is the center of these historical landmarks. Independence Hall, where the Declaration of Independence was signed, and the Liberty Bell are the city's most famous attractions. Other historic sites include homes for Edgar Allan Poe, Betsy Ross, and Thaddeus Kosciuszko.

Philadelphia's major science museums include the Franklin Institute, the Academy of Natural Sciences, and the University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology. History museums include the National Constitution Center, the National Museum of American Jewish History, the African American Museum, and the Historical Society of Pennsylvania. Philadelphia is home to the United States' first zoo and hospital.

Arts

Two statues, The Amazon and Rocky, outside the Philadelphia Museum of Art.
Philadelphia sculptor James Peniston's Keys To Community in the Old City neighborhood, one of the city's many public artworks featuring images of Benjamin Franklin

The city contains many art museums such as the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, the Barnes Foundation, and the Rodin Museum, the largest collection of work by Auguste Rodin outside France. The Philadelphia Museum of Art is one of the largest art museums in the United States. The city is also home to a profusion of art galleries.

Areas such as South Street and Old City have a vibrant night life. The Avenue of the Arts in Center City contains many restaurants and theaters, such as the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts, which is home to the Philadelphia Orchestra, and the Academy of Music, the nation's oldest continually operating venue, home to the Opera Company of Philadelphia.

Philadelphia has more public art than any other American city. In 1872, the Fairmount Park Art Association was created, the first private association in the United States dedicated to integrating public art and urban planning. In 1959, lobbying by the Artists Equity Association helped create the Percent for Art ordinance, the first for a United States city. The program, which has funded more than 200 pieces of public art, is administered by the Philadelphia Office of Arts and Culture, the city's art agency.

Philadelphia has more murals than any other United States city, thanks in part to the 1984 creation of the Department of Recreation's Mural Arts Program, which seeks to beautify neighborhoods and provide an outlet for graffiti artists. The program has funded more than 2,700 murals by professional, staff, and volunteer artists.

Philadelphia has had a prominent role in music. In the 1970s, Philadelphia soul influenced the music of that and later eras.

Sports

Philadelphia has a long history of professional sports teams, and is one of thirteen United States cities to have all four major sports: the Philadelphia Eagles of the National Football League, the Philadelphia Flyers of the National Hockey League, the Philadelphia Phillies in the National League of Major League Baseball, and the Philadelphia 76ers in the National Basketball Association.

Philadelphia is also known for the Philadelphia Big 5, a group of five Division I college basketball programs: Saint Joseph's University, University of Pennsylvania, La Salle University, Temple University, and Villanova University. The sixth NCAA Division I school in Philadelphia is Drexel University. At least one of the teams is competitive nearly every year and at least one team has made the NCAA tournament for the past four decades.

In February 2018, the Philadelphia Eagles won the NFL 2017 season Super Bowl.

Notes

  1. ↑ Estimates of Resident Population Change and Rankings: July 1, 2014 to July 1, 2015 – United States – Metropolitan Statistical Area; and for Puerto Rico. U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved February 5, 2018.
  2. ↑ Estimates of Resident Population Change and Rankings: July 1, 2014 to July 1, 2015 – United States – Combined Statistical Area; and for Puerto Rico. U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved February 5, 2018.
  3. ↑ Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Incorporated Places of 50,000 or More, Ranked by July 1, 2015 Population. United States Census Bureau. Retrieved February 5, 2018.
  4. ↑ AreaConnect. Philadelphia PA Crime Statistics (2006 Crime Data) Retrieved February 5, 2018.
  5. ↑ CQ Press. 2008 Crime Rankings Retrieved February 5, 2018.
  6. ↑ Crime Maps & Stats Philadelphia Police Department. Retrieved February 5, 2018.
  7. ↑ U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Gross Domestic Product by Metropolitan Area, 2016, September 2017. Retrieved February 6, 2018.

References
ISBN links support NWE through referral fees

  • Bowen, Catherine Drinker. Miracle at Philadelphia: the story of the Constitutional Convention, May to September 1787. Boston: Little, Brown, 1966. ISBN 978-0316103985
  • Countryman, Matthew. Up south: civil rights and Black power in Philadelphia. Politics and culture in modern America. Philadelphia: University of Pennsylvania Press, 2006. ISBN 978-0812220025
  • Wolfinger, James. Philadelphia divided: race & politics in the City of Brotherly Love. Chapel Hill: University of North Carolina Press, 2007. ISBN 0807831492

External links

All links retrieved November 23, 2022.

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