Pennsylvania
Javascript not enabled.
Return to Stately Knowledge Home
to navigate to other states.
- 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 |  |
Follow these links to read articles about Pennsylvania from Encyclopedias and Almanacs:
Official State Links
- Pa.gov
http://www.state.pa.us/
This is the official website for the State of Pennsylvania. - Office of Commonwealth Libraries
http://www.statelibrary.state.pa.us/libraries/site/default.asp
Here is the homepage for the Pennsylvania State Library Agency. - The Historical Society of Pennsylvania
http://www.hsp.org/
Here is the homepage for the Pennsylvania State Historical Society. - The State Museum of Pennsylvania
http://www.statemuseumpa.org/
Here is the homepage for the Pennsylvania State Museum. - Pennsylvania State Archives
Here is the homepage for the Pennsylvania State Archives. - Welcome to Pennsylvania State Parks
http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/stateparks/index.aspx
Here is the homepage for Pennsylvania State Parks. - VisitPA.com
http://www.visitpa.com/visitpa/home.do
Here is the official state tourism website for Pennsylvania. - Discover Pennsylvania Kids Page
http://sites.state.pa.us/kids/?dsftns=31343
Here is the official Pennsylvania state page for kids.
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 ipl’s POTUS (Presidents of the United States) page:
- James Buchanan (1791-1868)
- Daniel Boone (1734 – 1820), pioneer and hunter.