Pennsylvania

Map of US with Pennsylvania highlighted

  • Just the Facts
  • Encyclopedias & Almanacs
  • State Links
  • Did You Know
  • State's Famous People
Abbreviation PA
Source: United States Postal Service - Abbreviations
Capital Harrisburg
Population 12,702,379
Source: Resident Population Data - 2010 Census
Governor Tom Corbett (Republican, to January 2015)
Entered the Union December 12, 1787
as the 2nd state
Motto Virtue, liberty, and independence
Nickname The Keystone State
Flower Mountain laurel
Bird Ruffed grouse
Song Pennsylvania
Professional Sports Teams Philadelphia 76ers (Men's Basketball); Philadelphia Eagles, Pittsburgh Steelers (Football); Philadelphia Phillies, Pittsburgh Pirates (Baseball); Philadelphia Flyers, Pittsburgh Penguins (Hockey); Philadelphia Union (Soccer)
(sports listing policy)
Origin of Name In honor of Adm. Sir. William Penn, father of William Penn. It means Penn's Woodland
Historical Sites The Gettysburg National Military Park, Fort Necessity National Battlefield, Valley Forge National Historical Park, the Liberty Bell and Independence Hall
Points of Interest The Pennsylvania Dutch region, the Eisenhower farm near Gettysburg, and the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area
Bordering States Pennsylvania borders New York, New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, West Virginia, and Ohio.
Flag Pennsylvania's flag

Follow these links to read articles about Pennsylvania from Encyclopedias and Almanacs:

Official State Links

Other State Links

  • 50states.com: Pennsylvania
    http://www.50states.com/pennsylv.htm
    The site provides a wealth of information about Pennsylvania. It includes everything from the highest point to county profile to climate.
  • Things To Do in Pennsylvania
    http://www.thingstodo.com/states/PA/index.htm
    ThingsToDo.com is an online guide to information about Pennsylvania's entertainment, recreation, and travel, and includes the state's interesting facts, famous people, and special events.
  • Roadside America: Pennsylvania Attractions
    http://www.roadsideamerica.com/map/pa.html
    Roadside America describes itself as an online guide to offbeat attractions. This site offers reviews of "weird sites along the highway" in Pennsylvania.
  • Pennsylvania Railways
    http://www.parailways.com/parailways/
    Here is a website devoted to promoting Pennsylvania's railway heritage with a listing of local rails, a compilation of railroad history, and a railway photo gallery.
  • Gettysburg National Military Park
    http://www.nps.gov/gett
    This site provides travel planning guides, educational resources, interactive learning materials, maps, newsletters, and other information about the famous national park.
  • FedStats: MapStat: United States: Pennsylvania
    http://www.fedstats.gov/qf/states/42000.html
    Fast access to statistics from more than 100 federal agencies on "economic and population trends, crime, education, health care, aviation safety, energy use, farm production and more" in Pennsylvania.
  • Philadelphia was the seat of the federal government almost continuously from 1776 to 1800; there the Declaration of Independence was signed in 1776 and the U.S. Constitution drawn up in 1787.
  • However, some claim York, PA was the United State's first capital.
  • Pennsylvania has the largest rural population in the nation.
  • One of the original 13 colonies, PA is called the "Keystone State" because of its central location among the other original colonies. There are six states above it and six states below it.
  • The Pennsylvania Turnpike, which crosses the state from east to west, was the nation's first superhighway. (No, not the Internet!) It was completed in 1940.

Some Famous People from this State

  • Louisa May Alcott (1832-1888), novelist. She wrote Little Women (1868-69).
  • Bill Cosby (1937- ), actor. He was a stand-up comedian and starred in his own sit-com.
  • Martha Graham (1895-1991), dancer and choreographer. She choreagraphed and danced in the ballet Appalachian Spring.
  • Betsy Ross (1752-1836). She was reported to have made the first American Flag.
  • Presidents from Pennsylvania with links to ipl2's POTUS (Presidents of the United States) page:
  • Daniel Boone (1734 - 1820), pioneer and hunter.