Pennsylvania The Keystone State: Pennsylvania was settled in 1643. During colonial times Pennsylvania was the middle colony of the original 13 colonies (there are six states above it and six states below it). It held the colonies together like the "keystone" in a window or door arch.
It is a state full of rolling hills, lush forests and millions of acres of farmland. Forests that were once nearly wiped out have been restored and now thrive. Much of Pennsylvania’s terrain is formed by the Appalachians and the Allegheny Plateau, where summers are cool and winter snowfalls are heavy. Lower areas are warmer.
Home to the major metropolitan cities of Pittsburgh and Philadelphia as well as the state capital of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania still has many counties which are decidedly rural and pristine, including two counties with NO traffic lights ( Forest County and Perry County).
Several of our country's most important documents were written in Pennsylvania including the Constitution of the United States, the American Declaration of Independence and Lincoln's Gettysburg Address. Pennsylvania leads the nation in rural population, number of licensed hunters, State Game Lands, covered bridges, meat packing plants, mushroom production, potato chip production, pretzel bakeries and sausage and scrapple production.
Number of Counties: 67 Date of Statehood: December 12, 1787
State Welcome Center
Interesting facts, trivia and links regarding the life, culture and history of the State.
Virtue, Liberty, & Independence
Capital: Harrisburg
State Song: Hail Pennsyvlania
State Flower: Mountain Laurel
State Tree: Hemlock
Pennsylvania Statistics
Area in Square Miles: 44,820 Population (2000): 12,429,616 Largest City: Philadelphia
If you want to explore Pennsylvania's great outdoors, you've come to the right place. You can find information for planning a one day picnic or hiking trip, a weekend getaway, or a vacation.
