Before Pennsylvania was settled
by Europeans,
the area was home to the Lenni Lenape,
Susquehannock, Iroquois, Eries, Shawnee, among others.
In 1681, King Charles II granted a land charter to William Penn.
Penn received 46055 mi² (119283 km²)
to pay off a debt of £20,000 owed to William's father, Admiral Penn.
The area was named Pennsylvania, meaning "Penn's Woods".
It was one of the largest land grants to a single individual in history.
Pennsylvania accounts for 9% of all wooded areas in the United States.
Pennsylvania borders
New York to the north,
New Jersey to the east,
Delaware and Maryland to the southeast,
West Virginia to the southwest, and
Ohio to the west.
The First Continental Congress drew up and signed the
Declaration of Independence in Philadelphia.
Later, the Constitution was written, and
Philadelphia was once again chosen.
Pennsylvania became the 2nd state
to ratify the US Constitution on Dec 12, 1787.
WEATHER
Pennsylvania lies entirely within the humid continental zone.
The weather varies according to region and elevation.
Moving toward the mountainous interior of the state,
the climate becomes much colder,
the number of cloudy days increases,
and winter snowfall is greater.
The region bordering Lake Erie has a long growing season,
as the moderating effect of the lake prevents early spring and
late autumn frosts.
The snowfall exceeds 54 in (137 cm) per year in the snow belt around Erie.
Places with the warmest temperatures and the longest growing seasons
are the Ohio Valley in the southwest and the Monongahela Valley
in the southeast.
The rest of the state, at higher elevations, has cold winters and cool summers.
Greater Philadelphia lies at the southernmost tip of the humid continental
climate zone, with some characteristics of a humid subtropical climate.
Western areas of the state can receive over 100 in (250 cm)
of snowfall annually.
The record low temperature for the state is –42 ° F (–41 ° C).
The entire state receives plentiful rainfall throughout the year,
and has experienced several destructive floods.
In Philadelphia, the sun shines an average of 56% of the time.
In Pittsburgh, the average is 44%.
The highest temperature ever recorded in Pennsylvania was 111 ° F (44 ° C).
ECONOMY
The Pennsylvania Chamber of Business and Industry
is the largest broad~based business association in Pennsylvania.
It serves as the frontline advocate for business
by influencing the legislative, regulatory and
judicial branches of state government.
Thousands of members throughout the Commonwealth
employ greater than 50% of Pennsylvania’s
private workforce.
The Chamber is dedicated to helping members
understand and easily follow the complexities
of state and federal workplace regulations,
by providing conferences and publications on a
wide variety of issues important to the
business community.
Philadelphia in the southeast corner
and Pittsburgh in the southwest corner are
urban manufacturing centers, with the remainder of the state
being much more rural.
The main industries of the
Pennsylvania economy
include agriculture,
advanced manufacturing, health care, travel & tourism,
depository institutions, bio~technology, printing & publishing,
research & consulting, trucking & warehousing,
transportation by air, engineering & management & legal services.
The fastest growing service industries are concentrated in the
medical and health fields.
Heavy industry has declined in general,
but the state still manufactures metal products,
transportation equipment, foodstuffs, machinery, chemicals,
and a wide variety of plastic, rubber, stone, clay, and glass products.
Pennsylvania is a leading steel
producer in the United States.
Agriculture is concentrated in the fertile counties of the southeast.
The best farmlands lie in the Great Appalachian Valley,
which are rich with limestone.
Principal agricultural products include dairy products, apples,
cattle, horses, hay, corn, wheat, oats, mushrooms, poultry, potatoes,
vegetables, tobacco, grapes, wine, and peaches.
Pennsylvania is the #1
producer of mushrooms in the United States.
Although Pennsylvania
is known as a coal state, mining only amounts to
less than 1% of the total economy.
Over 95% of the Western Hemisphere's
anthracite coal supply comes from Pennsylvania.
These days, above~ground strip operations employ fewer than 2000 workers.
The annual surface mining production has been generally declining since
the 1970s, whereas, annual underground production of bituminous coal
has experienced a marked upswing since 1993.
Crushed stone, cement, and lime account for nearly 90% of the
non~fuel mineral production value.
SCHOOLS
Public schools are
operated and funded under the authority of the
Pennsylvania General Assembly and the locally elected
school boards of directors.
The Pennsylvania General Assembly is charged by the state Constitution
to provide for the maintenance and support of a thorough and efficient
system of public education to serve the needs of the State.
There are 501 school districts in the State.
Each school district is governed by a school board whose
members must live in the school district.
The philosophy of local control has a strong tradition
in Pennsylvania.
Each school district through its locally~developed strategic plan
outlines how it will assist students in meeting the state’s academic
standards, including requirements for high school graduation.
School boards must approve school district policies and educational
practices including the school district’s curriculum and policies
for grading, promotion, grade retention, student discipline and
athletic teams.
Pennsylvania has a wide assortment of
institutions serving higher education.
Over 150 colleges and universities and 92 private licensed schools
are legally authorized to grant degrees.
Dickinson College of Carlisle was the 1st college founded in
the United States, established in 1773.
Pennsylvania post~secondary institutions
serve approximately 680 thousand students.
For more details please contact the
Pennsylvania Department of Education.
HOSPITALITY
Outdoor types love Pennsylvania for its abundant wildlife,
spectacular natural vistas, and relaxing atmosphere.
From gentle strolls to serious climbs,
there are miles of trails and hikes to bring out the best in you.
Pennsylvania's terrain and trails
vary wildly, but they're all beautiful.
Throw your bags in the car and hit the open road.
You can't take a wrong turn in the 'State of Independence'.
Start your roadtrip right by checking out one of
Pennsylvania's 15 Welcome Centers.
These facilities offer brochures, maps, advice, and
free reservation services, and they're also great places
to picnic and exercise your pets.
If you need directions or just a rest in the middle your trip,
a Welcome Center is the perfect place to take a break.
From cozy, romantic bed and breakfasts to top~notch luxury hotels,
you'll find the accommodations that are perfect for you
in Pennsylvania.
Most of the major chain hotels and motels can be found
throughout the state.
For the adventurous, there are campgrounds
outfitted with all the necessities at nearly every turn in the state.
No matter what your budget is, whether you're just passing through
or staying for weeks, you'll find a place to stay in
Pennsylvania that's just right.
For more details please contact
Pennsylvania State Tourism.
NEWS
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