100 Dumb US Laws (With Proof They Exist)
Pennsylvania (PA) lies in the eastern United States, the state has a very rich history including an important role in the nation’s founding. At Independence Hall in Philadelphia, on August 2, 1776, the United States Declaration of Independence was formally signed, and in 1863 the pivotal Battle of Gettysburg took place in southern Pennsylvania. The state’s economy relies on services, steel processing, and coal mining. The capital of Pennsylvania is Harrisburg, while the largest city is Philadelphia.
-
Table of Contents
Quick Facts
Name Pennsylvania Abbreviation PA Capital Harrisburg Largest city Philadelphia (Population: 1 550 542) Current time 0:45 Time zone EST (UTC-5), the state observes Daylight Saving Time EDT (UTC-4) Population 13,002,788 (#5 most populous US state) Area 46,055 sqmi (#33 largest US state) Admitted to the Union December 12, 1787 (#2 state to join) ⭐ Capital of Pennsylvania
The capital of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is Harrisburg. Its history dates back to 1719, when English trader John Harris Sr. settled here, and 14 years later managed to acquire 1.2 sqmi of land. His son, John Harris Jr., began building a town there in 1785, which he named in honor of his father. Harrisburg became the capital of Pennsylvania in 1812, previously this role belonged to Lancaster.
🏙️ Largest City in Pennsylvania
The largest city in Pennsylvania is Philadelphia, with a population of 1,550,242 in 2023. The second largest city is Pittsburgh with 303,255 residents, and third is Allentown with a population of 124,880.
🕒 Time in Pennsylvania
The current time in Pennsylvania is 0:45. The entire state observes Eastern Standard Time (EST, UTC-5) and from March to November observes daylight saving time, EDT (UTC-4).
🧑🤝🧑 Population of Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania had 13,002,788 residents in 2023, ranking 5th among the most populous U.S. states.
📍 Area of Pennsylvania
The area of Pennsylvania is 46,055 sqmi, of which 44,816 sqmi is land and 1,239 sqmi is water. Pennsylvania is the 33rd largest U.S. state.
-
Fun Facts About Pennsylvania
🧩 Which States Border Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania shares a border with six U.S. states. To the west is Ohio, to the north New York, to the east New Jersey, to the southeast Delaware and Maryland, and to the southwest West Virginia.
📅 Date of Pennsylvania Statehood
Pennsylvania was admitted to the Union on December 12, 1787 as the 2nd state. Its predecessor was the Province of Pennsylvania.
📛 Pennsylvania State Nickname
Pennsylvania is nicknamed “The Keystone State,” which points to its key role in the history of the United States. The term “keystone” comes from architecture and refers to the stone in an arch that holds all the other stones together. It is a metaphor for the fact that in the beginning it was Pennsylvania that held the other states together.
The second nickname, “The Quaker State,” recalls Pennsylvania’s founder, William Penn, who was a member of the religious society known as the Quakers.
⛰️ Highest Mountain in Pennsylvania
The highest mountain in Pennsylvania is Mount Davis at 3,213 ft, located in the Allegheny Mountains near the Maryland border. The mountain is named after local surveyor and American Civil War veteran John Nelson Davis.
🏞️ Rivers in Pennsylvania
The longest river flowing through Pennsylvania is the Ohio River, with a total length across all states of 981 mi. It is followed by the Susquehanna River (464 mi), the Allegheny River (325 mi), the Delaware River (301 mi), and the West Branch Susquehanna River (243 mi).
🎓 Universities in Pennsylvania
The largest university is Pennsylvania State University, founded in 1855, with nearly 50,000 students today. In second place is Temple University in Philadelphia, established in 1884, with just under 40,000 students. The third highest enrollment is at the University of Pittsburgh in Pittsburgh, with about 28,000 students.
✉️ ZIP Codes in Pennsylvania
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is assigned ZIP code ranges 15xx-196xx, and you can look them up by address on the USPS website. In the article ZIP Codes in the USA you will find detailed information about how the system works and a ZIP code map.
-
Weather in Pennsylvania
The best time to visit Pennsylvania is early fall, when temperatures are pleasant and nature is dressed in beautiful colors.
Spring in Pennsylvania brings rising temperatures. March is still fairly chilly, with temperatures around 37 °F to 48 °F, and rain is common. With April and May comes a warm-up to a pleasant 64 °F to 73 °F, though you should still expect occasional rain.
Summer in Pennsylvania is warm and humid, with temperatures usually around 73 °F to 82 °F. High humidity makes it feel hotter, and thunderstorms are frequent in July and August.
Fall in Pennsylvania brings comfortable temperatures around 61 °F to 68 °F with lower rainfall. September in particular is ideal for hiking and exploring the state’s beauty.
Winter in Pennsylvania is cold, with temperatures typically between 28 °F and 39 °F. Snow is more frequent in western and northern Pennsylvania, where as much as 100 cm of snow can fall over the season. Winters tend to be milder in the eastern parts of the state.
🌡️ Average Temperatures and Precipitation in Pennsylvania
-
What to See in Pennsylvania
1️⃣ Independence National Historical Park
The grounds of Independence National Historical Park in Philadelphia are nicknamed “America’s most historic square mile.”
Here you will find the famous Independence Hall, where the United States Declaration of Independence was approved on July 4, 1776, and where the United States Constitution was ratified on June 21, 1788. The park also includes the Liberty Bell, which Americans regard as a symbol of freedom, and a museum dedicated to President Benjamin Franklin.
2️⃣ Gettysburg National Military Park
Gettysburg National Military Park preserves the site of one of the most important battles of the American Civil War. The Battle of Gettysburg took place from July 1 to July 3, 1863, and the Confederacy’s defeat marked a turning point in the war and the Union’s eventual victory.
The park includes museums and monuments, and visitors can join ranger-led walks across the battlefield. Reenactments are regularly held, which help people better understand U.S. history.
3️⃣ Philadelphia Museum of Art
The Philadelphia Museum of Art ranks among the largest and most important of its kind in the U.S. The steps leading up to the museum are perhaps even more famous, since Rocky Balboa trained on them in the film Rocky.
The museum’s permanent collection includes works by Vincent van Gogh, Pablo Picasso, and Claude Monet, and the holdings of European, American, and Asian art are especially rich. The museum regularly hosts temporary exhibitions and other cultural events.
4️⃣ Amish Village
Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, is home to one of the largest Amish communities in the United States. The Amish are a close-knit religious group known for a simple way of life, rejection of modern technologies, and a strong focus on community and faith.
Visitors to Amish Village can ride in a historic carriage, visit traditional farms, and taste authentic cuisine. Local markets sell homemade products and souvenirs, making it an unusual experience for anyone who wants a break from the modern world.
5️⃣ Hersheypark
Hersheypark was founded in 1906 by the owner of the namesake chocolate factory to give his employees a place to relax. As the chocolate business prospered, so did the amusement park, and it soon opened its gates to the general public. Today Hersheypark operates around 75 rides, including 14 roller coasters. The park also features Chocolate World, where kids can make their own chocolate.
6️⃣ Eastern State Penitentiary
Eastern State Penitentiary in Philadelphia is one of the world’s most famous prisons, thanks to its shape, which from above resembles a spoked wheel. It was also among the first to introduce a system of solitary confinement, where prisoners were cut off from contact with others.
The prison operated from 1829 to 1971. Its most famous inmates included organized crime boss Al Capone and bank robber William Francis Sutton Jr. Today the prison is open to the public as a museum and offers tours that reveal the history of the U.S. penal system.
7️⃣ Valley Forge National Historical Park
Valley Forge National Historical Park is where George Washington and his Continental Army spent the winter of 1777–1778 during the American Revolutionary War.
The park lies northwest of downtown Philadelphia. Visitors can see reconstructed winter encampments, General Washington’s headquarters, and memorials dedicated to the soldiers. The park can be explored on foot or by bicycle, a great way to add another piece to your American history puzzle.
8️⃣ Strasburg Rail Road
Strasburg Rail Road is the oldest continuously operating railroad company in the U.S., with a history dating back to 1832. The company offers regular nostalgic steam train rides along a route with beautiful views of the surrounding countryside and Amish farms. For families with children, Strasburg Rail Road runs half-hour rides behind Thomas the Tank Engine, known from the animated TV series.
9️⃣ Fallingwater House
Fallingwater, built in 1935 from a design by architect Frank Lloyd Wright, is among the most iconic houses in the world. The home is sensitively integrated into its natural surroundings, with part of it constructed over a waterfall on the Bear Run.
Fallingwater is listed by UNESCO and is considered one of the most significant works of modern architecture. The house is in the town of Mill Run, about 67 mi by car southeast of Pittsburgh, and it can be visited on a guided tour.
🔟 The Andy Warhol Museum
The Andy Warhol Museum in Pittsburgh is entirely devoted to the famous pop art artist, who was born in the city in 1928. The seven-story museum includes 17 galleries and exhibits around 900 paintings, 2,000 works on paper, and more than 4,000 photographs.
The museum explores Warhol’s life, work, and influence on pop culture and art in the 20th century. It regularly hosts special exhibitions and events focused on modern and contemporary art.
-
Largest Cities in Pennsylvania
The table lists the ten largest cities in Pennsylvania in 2023. The source is the federal agency United States Census Bureau, whose primary mission is to conduct the census.
City County Population 1 Philadelphia Philadelphia 1,550,542 Map of Philadelphia 2 Pittsburgh Allegheny 303,255 Map of Pittsburgh 3 Allentown Lehigh 124,880 Map of Allentown 4 Reading Berks 94,903 Map of Reading 5 Erie Erie 92,957 Map of Erie 6 Bethlehem Lehigh, Northampton 78,300 Map of Bethlehem 7 Scranton Lackawanna 75,805 Map of Scranton 8 Lancaster Lancaster 57,153 Map of Lancaster 9 Harrisburg Dauphin 50,012 Map of Harrisburg 10 York York 44,867 Map of York -
Sports Teams in Pennsylvania
🏒 Hockey (NHL)
Pennsylvania has two clubs that play in the NHL. Both belong to the Metropolitan Division in the Eastern Conference and both were founded in 1967.
The first is the Philadelphia Flyers, whose team colors are orange, black, and white. The Flyers play their home games at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia.
The second team is the Pittsburgh Penguins, whose colors are black, gold, and white. The Penguins play their home games at PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh.
🏈 American Football (NFL)
Two teams from Pennsylvania compete in the NFL, and both entered the league in the 1933 season.
The first team is the Pittsburgh Steelers of the AFC North. The club colors are black and gold. The Steelers play their home games at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh.
Also in the NFL are the Philadelphia Eagles, who belong to the NFC East and have chosen midnight green, silver, black, and white as their colors. The Eagles play their home games at Lincoln Financial Field.
🏀 Basketball (NBA)
The state’s lone NBA representative since the 1949 season is the Philadelphia 76ers. The club plays in the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference and hosts home games at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia. Team colors are blue, red, silver, navy, and white.
⚾ Baseball (MLB)
Pennsylvania has two MLB teams. Both play in the National League, although they are in different divisions.
The Philadelphia Phillies have competed since the 1883 season and are assigned to the National League East. The team plays its home games at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia. The club colors are red, white, and blue.
The Pittsburgh Pirates have played in the National League since the 1887 season and are in the Central Division. The Pirates’ home stadium is PNC Park in Pittsburgh, and their colors are black, gold, and white.
⚽ Soccer (MLS)
Since the 2010 season, Pennsylvania has been represented in Major League Soccer by the Philadelphia Union, assigned to the Eastern Conference. The team plays its home games at Subaru Park in Chester, a Philadelphia suburb, and its colors are navy and gold.
-
Pennsylvania State Symbols
All official symbols were approved by the General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and signed into law by the governor. Only some of the symbols are listed here.
State Flag of Pennsylvania
The current state flag has been in use since June 13, 1907. It features the Pennsylvania coat of arms on a dark blue field. Between 2004 and 2014 several changes to the flag were proposed, but none were approved.
State Seal of Pennsylvania
The Great Seal was officially adopted in 1791 and has been used to authenticate documents issued by the government ever since. Interestingly, the seal is two-sided. The obverse is used on the governor’s official documents, while the reverse is intended for the ratification of laws and resolutions. The obverse features a shield with a ship, a plow, and sheaves of wheat. The ship represents international commerce, the plow symbolizes agriculture, and the bundle of grain stands for abundant resources.
State Anthem
Since 1990 the official state song has been Pennsylvania, with lyrics by former prison warden Eddie Khoury and music by Ronnie Bonner.
State Animal
As of October 2, 1959, Pennsylvania’s state animal is the white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus), symbolizing strength, resilience, and the richness of the state’s forests. The deer is among the most widespread mammals in North America and is a favorite quarry of Pennsylvania hunters.
State Tree
In 1931 the official state tree became the eastern hemlock (Tsuga canadensis Linnaeus), which plays an important role in local forest ecosystems. In the past it provided materials for building homes of Indigenous peoples. The eastern hemlock can live up to 500 years and is known for its hardiness in harsh conditions.
State Insect
Since December 5, 1988, the state insect has been the Pennsylvania firefly (Photuris pennsylvanica), which is widespread throughout the state. Fireflies produce light through a chemical process, which symbolically represents hope and enlightenment for Pennsylvania’s citizens.
State Flower
In 1933 Pennsylvania adopted the mountain laurel (Kalmia latifolia) as the state flower. Native to the U.S. East Coast, this white-blooming plant symbolizes the state’s beauty and typically grows on rocky slopes and in mountain forests. All parts of the plant are poisonous.
State Ship
Since April 29, 1988, the state ship has been the US Brig Niagara, which served in the Battle of Lake Erie during the War of 1812. After the war ended in 1820, the ship was first scuttled, later restored, and today serves as a museum exhibit in the city of Erie.
State Fossil
A 1988 law established Eldredgeops rana as the official state fossil. It is one of the most common trilobites, with fossils found in the Appalachian region.
State Fish
The state fish is the brook trout (Salvelinus fontinalis), native to the watersheds of the Ohio, Genesee, Potomac, and Susquehanna rivers. The brook trout is native to Pennsylvania and is a favorite catch among sport anglers.
Contribute with Your Question or Personal Experience