Pennsylvania is classified as a Middle Atlantic state, along with New York, New Jersey, Delaware, and Maryland. Its central location on the Eastern Seaboard is sometimes said to be the source of its nickname, the Keystone State. It does not, however, touch the Atlantic Ocean at any point. Water nonetheless has been nearly as crucial in the state’s growth as the wealth of its earth.
Pennsylvania was one of the thirteen British colonies that would eventually form the United States. It was founded in 1681 through royal land grant to William Penn, son of the state’s namesake; the southeast portion was once part of the colony of New Sweden. Established as a haven for religious and political tolerance, the Province of Pennsylvania was noteworthy for its relatively peaceful relations with native tribes, innovative government system, and religious pluralism. Pennsylvania’s governing framework inspired the U.S. Constitution, which, along with the Declaration of Independence, was drafted in Independence Hall in Philadelphia; the city also hosted the first and second Constitutional Convention that led the American Revolution. Pennsylvania became the second state to ratify the Constitution on December 12, 1787
Capital: Harrisburg, PA
Population: 13,011,844 (2020)
Official Website: https://www.pa.gov/
Tourism website: https://www.visitpa.com/
Tourist Attractions for Pennsylvania:
Pennsylvania Dutch country is home to the unique culture of the Amish, whose dedication to simplicity and tradition continues to draw visitors who are looking for a peaceful weekend getaway. The city of Pittsburgh is known for its industrial roots and the cultural legacy of the Carnegie family, while the capital city of Harrisburg is loved for its small-town feel and historic buildings. Other places to visit in Pennsylvania have earned their fame for less serious reasons, like Hershey, which is known for its chocolate manufacturer, and Punxsutawney for its weather-predicting groundhog.
- Independence National Park and the Liberty Bell
- Hershey Park
- Gettysburg National Military Park
- Presque Isle State Park
- Philadelphia Museum of Art
- Fallingwater
- Reading Terminal Market
- Phipps Conservatory
- Carnegie Museum of National History
- Eastern State Penitentiary
- Pennsylvania State Capitol
- The Philadelphia Zoo
- Strasburg
- Valley Forge & Valley Forge National Historic Park
- Intercourse
- Andy Warhol Museum