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Pennsylvania Facts

Pennsylvania Facts
The State of Pennsylvania is located in the mid-Atlantic and Northeastern regions of the United States. It is officially called the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. It shares state borders with Ohio, West Virginia, Maryland, Delaware, New Jersey and New York. Pennsylvania is the 33rd largest U.S. state with 46,055 square miles. It is the 6th most populated U.S. state with approximately 12,773,801 residents and it is the 9th most densely populated state. Prior to the arrival of European settlers the area was inhabited by various Native American tribes including Eriez, Iroquois, and Delaware. The 1600s brought the Dutch, English and Swedes to the area. The Declaration of Independence was signed in Pennsylvania in 1776. In 1787 Pennsylvania became the 2nd U.S. state when it joined the Union.
Interesting Pennsylvania Facts:
Pennsylvania was named to honor Admiral William Penn and his son of the same name who founded Pennsylvania. It means 'Penn's Woodland'.
The state nickname for Pennsylvania is the Keystone State.
Pennsylvania's state motto is Virtue, Liberty, and Independence.
Pennsylvania's state song is 'Pennsylvania'. It was written by Eddie Khoury and composed by Ronnie Bonner.
Pennsylvania's residents are referred to as Pennsylvanians.
Pennsylvania's capital city is Harrisburg and its largest city is Philadelphia.
The state flag for Pennsylvania was officially adopted in 1907.
Pennsylvania's state bird is the ruffed grouse and the state insects are ladybugs and fireflies.
The state mammal for Pennsylvania is the white-tailed deer and the state fish is the brook trout.
Pennsylvania's state flower is the mountain laurel and the state tree is the eastern hemlock.
Major rivers in Pennsylvania include the Ohio River, Delaware River, Susquehanna River and the Allegheny River.
Major lakes in Pennsylvania include Lake Erie.
Major industry in Pennsylvania includes steel, mining, electronics, chemicals, food products, pharmaceuticals and cars.
Major agriculture in Pennsylvania includes mushrooms, corn, soybeans, oats, dairy, cattle, poultry and eggs, fruit, sweet corn, maple syrup and Christmas trees.
Former U.S. President James Buchanan was born in Cove Gap, Pennsylvania. He was the 15th U.S. President and served from 1857 until 1861.
The very first baseball stadium was built in 1909 in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania.
The Chocolate Capital of the World is Hershey, Pennsylvania.
The world's first oil well was drilled in 1859 in Titusville, Pennsylvania by Edwin Drake.
The first president's mansion was in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
The first American flag was made by Betsy Ross in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Soft pretzels, water ice, cheesesteak sandwich and TastyKakes were invented in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
The first commercial radio broadcast came from KDKA Radio in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania.
The Liberty Bell is located in Pennsylvania.
The first public zoo in the United States was the Philadelphia Zoo. Its founder was Benjamin Franklin.
The first Little League Baseball World Series was held in Williamsport, Pennsylvania in 1946.
The Black Cherry Capital of the World is the Borough of Kane in Pennsylvania.
Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania is known as the weather capital of the world. The most famous resident of the town is Punxsutawney Phil, a groundhog believed to be able to predict an early spring by seeing or not seeing its shadow.


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