Pennsylvania (PA) is located in the eastern USA, the state has a very rich history including an important role in the founding of the country. The United States Declaration of Independence was formally signed at Independence Hall in Philadelphia on August 2, 1776, and in 1863 the important Battle of Gettysburg took place in southern Pennsylvania. The state’s economy relies on utilities, steel manufacturing, and coal mining. The capital of Pennsylvania is Harrisburg, but the largest city is Philadelphia.
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Table of Contents
Quick Facts
Name Pennsylvania Abbreviation PA Capital Harrisburg Largest city Philadelphia (Population: 1 550 542) Current time 15:22 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 mi² (#33 largest US state) Admitted to the Union December 12, 1787 (#2 state to join) ⭐ Capital of Pennsylvania
The capital of Pennsylvania is Harrisburg. Its history dates back to 1719, when English merchant John Harris Sr. settled here and 14 years later managed to acquire 1.2 mi² land. His son, John Harris Jr., began building a town on the land in 1785, which he named in his father’s honor. Harrisburg became the capital of Pennsylvania in 1812, replacing Lancaster, which had previously filled that role
🏙️ Largest City in Pennsylvania
The largest city in Pennsylvania is Philadelphia, with a population of 1,550,242 in 2023. The second-largest city in the state is Pittsburgh, with a population of 303,255, and the third-largest is Allentown, with a population of 124,880.
🕒 Time in Pennsylvania
The current time in Pennsylvania is 15:22. The entire state observes Eastern Standard Time (EST, UTC-5), and from March to November, it observes Daylight Saving Time (EDT, UTC-4).
🧑🤝🧑 Population of Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania had a population of 13,002,788 in 2023, making it the 5th most populous state in the USA.
📍 Area of Pennsylvania
The land area of Pennsylvania is 46,055 mi², of which 44,816 mi² is land and 1,239 mi² is water. Pennsylvania is the 33rd largest US state.
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Fun Facts About Pennsylvania
🧩 Pennsylvania Neighboring States
Pennsylvania shares a border with six US states: Ohio to the west, New York to the north, New Jersey to the east, Delaware and Maryland to the southeast, and West Virginia to the southwest.
📅 Date of Pennsylvania Statehood
Pennsylvania ratified its entry into the Union on December 12, 1787 as the 2nd state in line, its predecessor being the Province of Pennsylvania.
📛 Nickname of the State of Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania is nicknamed “The Keystone State”, referring to its pivotal role in the history of the United States. The term “keystone” has its origins in architecture and refers to the stone, for example in an arch, that holds all the other stones together. It is a paraphrase of the fact that in the early days 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 a religious group called the Quakers.
⛰️ Highest Mountain in Pennsylvania
The highest mountain in Pennsylvania is 3,213 ft Mount Davis, located in the Allegheny Mountains near the Maryland border. The mountain is named after a 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 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, which was founded in 1855 and today has just under 50,000 students. In second place is Temple University, based in Philadelphia, which has a tradition since 1884 and has just under 40 thousand students. The third highest number of students attends the University of Pittsburgh in Pittsburgh, with around 28 thousand students enrolled.
✉️ Pennsylvania ZIP Codes
The state of Pennsylvania has a dedicated zip code range of 15xx-196xx, you can search by address on the USPS website. See the article ZIP Codes in the USA for details on how the system works and a map of the codes.
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Weather in Pennsylvania
The best time of year to visit Pennsylvania is in early fall when temperatures are pleasant, and nature is dressed in beautiful colors.
Spring in Pennsylvania tends to be marked by a rise in temperatures. March is still relatively cool, with temperatures ranging from 37°F to 48°F and frequent rainfall. With April and May comes a warming up to pleasant 64°F to 73°F, still rain is possible.
Summers in Pennsylvania are warm and humid, with temperatures generally around 73°F to 82°F. The feeling of heat is enhanced by high humidity, with frequent thunderstorms in July and August.
Autumn in Pennsylvania brings pleasant temperatures around 61°F to 68°F with lower rainfall. September in particular is the best time for hiking and exploring the beauty of the state.
Winters in Pennsylvania are cold, with temperatures usually between 28°F and 39°F. Snowfall is more frequent in western and northern Pennsylvania, where up to 100 cm snow can fall throughout the season. Areas in the east of the state tend to have milder winters.
🌡️ Average Temperatures and Precipitation in Pennsylvania
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Things to Do in Pennsylvania
1️⃣ Independence National Historical Park
Independence National Historical Park in Philadelphia has been dubbed “The Most Historic Square Mile in America.”
It is home to the famous Independence Hall, where the Declaration of Independence of the United States of America was approved on July 4, 1776, and where the Constitution of the United States of America was ratified on June 21, 1788. The park also includes the Liberty Bell, which Americans consider a symbol of freedom, and a museum dedicated to President Benjamin Franklin.
2️⃣ Gettysburg National Military Park
Gettysburg National Military Park protects the site of one of the most important battles of the American Civil War. The Battle of Gettysburg was fought from July 1-3, 1863, and the Confederate defeat resulted in a turning point in the war and the subsequent Union victory.
The park includes museums and memorials, and visitors have the opportunity to participate in a guided walking tour of the battlefield. Battle reenactments are regularly held in the park, which provide a better understanding of American history.
3️⃣ Philadelphia Museum of Art
The Philadelphia Museum of Art is one of the largest and most important of its kind in the United States. Perhaps even more famous are the stairs leading up to the museum, as they were used by Rocky Balboa in the movie Rocky.
The museum’s permanent collection includes works by Vincent van Gogh, Pablo Picasso, and Claude Monet, with a particularly rich collection of European, American, and Asian art. The museum regularly organizes 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 closed religious group characterized by a simple way of life, a rejection of modern technology, and an emphasis on community building and faith.
Visitors to an Amish village can take a historic carriage ride, visit traditional farms and sample authentic cuisine. Local markets offer local produce and souvenirs for purchase; overall, this is a remarkable experience for anyone looking to experience an escape from the modern world.
5️⃣ Hersheypark Amusement Park
Hershey Amusement Park was founded in 1906 by the owner of the eponymous chocolate factory to offer diversion to his employees. As chocolate prospered, so did the amusement park, and it soon opened its doors to the general public. Today, there are around 75 rides in operation at Hersheypark, 14 of which are roller coasters. The park includes a chocolate world where children can make their own chocolate.
6️⃣ Eastern State Penitentiary
Eastern State Penitentiary in Philadelphia is one of the most famous prisons in the world, thanks to its shape, which from a bird’s eye view resembles a Ferris wheel. It was also one of the first prisons to introduce solitary confinement, where prisoners were cut off from contact with other people.
The prison was in operation from 1829 to 1971 and 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 USA 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 War of Independence.
Located northwest of downtown Philadelphia, visitors can see reconstructed winter camps, General Washington’s headquarters, and monuments dedicated to the soldiers. The park can be explored on foot or by bicycle, adding more pieces to the puzzle of American history.
8️⃣ Strasburg Historic Rail Road
The Strasburg Rail Road is the oldest continuously operating railroad company in the United States, dating back to 1832. The company offers regular nostalgic steam train rides along the line, which offers beautiful views of the surrounding countryside and Amish farms. For families with children, the Strasburg Rail Road organizes half-hour train rides pulled by Thomas the Tank Engine, famous from the animated television series.
9️⃣ Fallingwater House
Built in 1935 and designed by architect Frank Lloyd Wright, Fallingwater House is one of the most iconic houses in the world. The house is sensitively set in the surrounding countryside, with part of it built over a waterfall on the Bear Run River.
Fallingwater is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is considered one of the most important works of modern architecture. The house is located in the town of Mill Run, about 67 mi driving southeast from Pittsburgh, and can be visited during a guided tour.
🔟 The Andy Warhol Museum
The Andy Warhol Museum in Pittsburgh is entirely dedicated to the famous pop-art artist, who was born in the city in 1928. The seven-story museum includes 17 galleries and displays around 900 paintings, 2,000 works on paper and over 4,000 photographs.
The Warhol Museum explores his life, works and influence on 20th century pop culture and art in detail. It regularly hosts special exhibitions and events focusing on modern and contemporary art.
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Largest Cities in Pennsylvania
The table below shows the ten largest cities in the state of Pennsylvania in 2023, the source of the data is the United States Census Bureau, a federal agency whose main job is to count the population.
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
🏒 Ice Hockey (NHL)
There are two clubs in Pennsylvania that play in the famous NHL. Both belong to the Metropolitan Division in the Eastern Conference and both were founded in 1967.
The first club is the Philadelphia Flyers, whose club 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)
There are two teams from Pennsylvania in the NFL, both of which started playing the league at the same time in the 1933 season.
The first team is the Pittsburgh Steelers of the AFC North Division. The club colors are black and gold. The Steelers play their home games at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh.
Also playing in the NFL are the Philadelphia Eagles, who belong to the Eastern Division of the NFC Conference and have chosen midnight green, silver, black and white as their colors. The Eagles play their home games at Lincoln Financial Field.
🏀 Basketball (NBA)
Since the 1949 season, the Philadelphia 76ers have been Pennsylvania’s only representative in the National Basketball Association. The club belongs to the Atlantic Division in the Eastern Conference and plays its home games at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia. The team colors are blue, red, silver, navy blue and white.
⚾ Baseball (MLB)
The state of Pennsylvania is doubly represented in the MLB baseball league; both teams are part of the National League, but are part of a different division.
The Philadelphia Phillies have played in the league since the 1883 season, and are assigned to the Eastern Division. 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, assigned to the Central Division. The Pirates’ home stadium is PNC Park in Pittsburgh, and has adopted black, gold, and white as its club colors.
⚽ Soccer (MLS)
Since the 2010 season, Pennsylvania has been represented in the MLS Football League by the Philadelphia Union, and has been placed in the Eastern Conference. The team plays its home matches at Subaru Park Stadium in Chester, a suburb of Philadelphia, and has adopted navy blue and gold as its colors.
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Pennsylvania State Symbols
All official symbols are approved by the Pennsylvania General Assembly and signed into law by the Governor. Only some of the symbols are listed in this article.
State Flag of Pennsylvania
The state flag has been used in its current design since June 13, 1907, and takes the form of the Pennsylvania seal on a dark blue background. Several changes to the flag’s design were proposed between 2004 and 2014, but none were approved.
Great Seal of Pennsylvania
The Great Seal of the State was officially adopted in 1791, since when it has been used to authenticate documents issued by the government. Interestingly, the seal is double-sided. The front side is used on official documents of the governor, while the back side is used to ratify laws and resolutions. The main motif of the front side is a coat of arms with a ship, a plough and ears of corn. The ship represents international trade, the plough symbolizes agriculture, and the sheaf of grain represents abundance of resources.
State Song
The official state song since 1990 has been Pennsylvania, with lyrics written by former prison warden Eddie Khoury and music composed by Ronnie Bonner.
State Animal
Effective October 2, 1959, Pennsylvania’s state animal is the white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus), which symbolizes the strength, resilience, and bounty of the local forests. The deer is one of the most widely distributed mammals in North America and is a favorite target of Pennsylvania hunters.
State Tree
As early as 1931, the Canadian hemlock (Tsuga canadensis linnaeus) was chosen as the official tree of Pennsylvania, playing an important role in the ecosystem of the state’s forests. In the past, it was a source of material for the construction of the dwellings of the indigenous inhabitants. The Canadian fir can live up to 500 years, and is remarkable for its resistance to harsh conditions.
State Insect
The Pennsylvania firefly (Photuris pennsylvanica) has been the state insect symbol since December 5, 1988, and is widely distributed throughout the state. Fireflies produce light through a chemical process, which figuratively symbolizes hope and enlightenment for the citizens of Pennsylvania.
State Flower
The state flower of Pennsylvania became the mountain laurel (Kalmia latifolia), a species native to the eastern seaboard of the United States, in 1933. The white-flowered plant symbolizes the beauty of the state and usually grows on rocky hillsides and in upland forest areas. All parts of the flower are poisonous.
State Ship
The symbol of Pennsylvania since April 29, 1988, is the USS Niagara, which served in the Battle of Lake Erie in the British-American War of 1813-1820.
State Fossil
In 1988, a law was passed that made the species Eldredgeops rana the official state fossil. This is one of the most common trilobites, with fossils found in the Appalachian Mountains.
State Fish
The state fish is the brook trout (Salvelinus fontinalis), which makes its home in the Ohio, Gennesee, Potomac, and Susquehanna river basins. Native to Pennsylvania, the whitefish is one of the favorite catches of sport fishermen.
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