The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is one of the Great Lakes States, in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is bordered by Delaware, Maryland, West Virginia, Ohio, Ontario, Canada (across Lake Erie), New York, and New Jersey (across the Delaware River).
Population: about 12 million
Capital City: Harrisburg
Largest City: Philadelphia
Nickname: Keystone State, Quaker State, State of Independence
Motto: Virtue, Liberty, and Independence
State flower: mountain laurel
State tree: hemlock
Pittsburgh and Philadelphia sit on opposite ends of the Commonwealth, and have unique features, and are rich in history. Many Pennsylvania cities have had national importance sinse William Penn first established Pennsylvania. The state also has many agricultural strong points such as Kennett Square, the mushroom capital, Christmas tree and lumber production, and chocolate. Hershey, Pennsylvania, in Derry Township, Dauphin County is home to Hershey chocolate company.
The State is home to the signing of both the Decleration of Independence, The Articles of Confederation and Perpetual Union (in York County) and the Constitution. Valley Forge, the Liberty Bell, and Independence Hall are a few of the many historical features. The Pennsylvania Supreme Court outdates the US Supreme Court by about Sixty years, and is the oldest in the nation. |