This article is about the U.S. State of Pennsylvania. For other uses see Pennsylvania (disambiguation). Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Flag Seal Nickname(s): Keystone State; Quaker State; Coal State; Oil State; State of Independence Motto(s): Virtue Liberty and Independence Official language(s) None (English de facto) Spoken language(s) English 91.6% Spanish 3.1%1 Pennsylvania Dutch Demonym Pennsylvanian Capital Harrisburg Largest city Philadelphia Largest metro area Delaware Valley Area  Ranked 33rd in the U.S.  - Total 46055 sq mi (119283 km2)  - Width 280 miles (455 km)  - Length 160 miles (255 km)  - % water 2.7  - Latitude 3943 N to 4216 N  - Longitude 7441 W to 8031 W Population  Ranked 6th in the U.S.  - Total 12702379(2010.)2 - Density 283.9/sq mi  (109.6/km2) Ranked 11th in the U.S.  - Median income  US$48562 (26th) Elevation    - Highest point Mount Davis3 3213 ft  (979 m)  - Mean 1099 ft  (335 m)  - Lowest point Delaware River3 0 ft  (0 m) Before statehood Province of Pennsylvania Admission to Union  December 12 1787 (2nd) Governor Tom Corbett (R) Lieutenant Governor Jim Cawley (R) Legislature General Assembly  - Upper house State Senate  - Lower house House of Representatives U.S. Senators Bob Casey Jr. (D) Pat Toomey (R) U.S. House delegation 12 Republicans 7 Democrats (list) Time zone Eastern: UTC-5/-4 Abbreviations PA Penn. or Penna. US-PA Website pa.gov

The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania (i /pnslvenj/) is a U.S. state that is located in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The state borders Delaware and Maryland to the south West Virginia to the southwest Ohio to the west New York and Ontario Canada to the north and New Jersey to the east. The state's four most populous cities are Philadelphia Pittsburgh Allentown and Erie. The state capital is Harrisburg.

Pennsylvania has 51 miles (82 km)4 of coastline along Lake Erie and 57 miles (92 km)5 of shoreline along the Delaware Estuary. As of the 2000 and 2010 census Pennsylvania has one of the largest White American populations and a strong African American population. Contents 1 Geography 2 Climate 3 History 4 Demographics 4.1 Religion 4.1.1 Pennsylvania Dutch 5 Economy 5.1 Banking 5.2 Agriculture 5.3 Gambling 6 Governance 6.1 Government 6.1.1 Governor 6.1.2 General Assembly 6.1.3 Judiciary 6.1.4 Taxation 6.2 Representation in the 112th Congress 6.3 Regional strength 6.4 Municipalities 7 Education 7.1 Primary and secondary education 7.2 Higher education 8 Recreation 9 Transportation 10 Sports 11 Food 12 State symbols 12.1 Nicknames 13 Notable people 14 Gallery 15 See also 16 Notes 17 References 18 External links Geography Further information: Geography of Pennsylvania and List of counties in Pennsylvania Counties of Pennsylvania Map of Pennsylvania showing major cities and roads

Pennsylvania is 170 miles (274 km) north to south and 283 miles (455 km) east to west.6 Of a total 46055 square miles (119282 km2) 44817 square miles (116075 km2) are land 490 square miles (1269 km2) are inland waters and 749 square miles (1940 km2) are waters in Lake Erie.7 It is the 33rd largest state in the United States.8

The bounds of the state are the Mason-Dixon Line (39 43' N) to the south the Delaware River to the east 80 31' W to the west and the 42 N to the north with the exception of a short segment on the western end where a triangle extends north to Lake Erie.

Pennsylvania borders six other states: New York to the north; New Jersey to the east; Delaware and Maryland to the southeast; West Virginia to the southwest and Ohio to the west. Pennsylvania also shares a water border with Canada. Of the original Thirteen Colonies Pennsylvania is the only state that does not border the Atlantic Ocean.

It has the cities of Philadelphia York Reading and Lancaster in the southeast Pittsburgh in the southwest the tri-cities of Allentown Bethlehem and Easton in the central east (known as the Lehigh Valley) the tri-cities of Scranton Wilkes-Barre and Hazleton in the northeast and Erie in the northwest Williamsport serves as the "hub" of the commonwealth's north-central region with state capital Harrisburg on the Susquehanna River in the central region of the commonwealth. Climate Main article: Climate of Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania's diverse topography also produces a variety of climates. Straddling two major zones the majority of the state with the exception of the southeastern corner has a humid continental climate. Greater Philadelphia has some characteristics of the humid subtropical climate that covers much of Delaware and Maryland to the south.

Moving toward the mountainous interior of the state the climate becomes markedly colder the number of cloudy days increases and winter snowfall amounts are greater. Western areas of the state particularly cities near Lake Erie can receive over 100 inches (254 cm) of snowfall annually and the entire state receives plentiful precipitation throughout the year. The state may be subject to severe weather from spring through summer into fall as an average of 10 tornadoes touch down each year in the state. Monthly Normal High and Low Temperatures For Various Pennsylvania Cities in Fahrenheit City Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Scranton 34/18 37/20 47/28 59/38 71/48 78/57 83/61 81/60 72/53 61/42 49/34 39/24 Erie 33/20 36/21 45/28 56/38 67/49 76/59 80/64 79/63 72/56 61/46 49/36 39/27 Pittsburgh 37/20 39/21 50/29 62/38 71/48 80/56 85/62 83/60 76/53 64/41 53/33 42/25 Harrisburg 38/23 41/25 51/33 63/42 73/51 81/61 86/66 84/64 76/57 64/45 53/36 42/28 Philadelphia 39/25 42/28 51/35 62/44 72/55 81/64 86/70 84/69 77/61 66/49 55/40 44/31 Allentown 35/19 39/21 49/29 60/38 71/48 79/58 84/63 82/61 74/53 63/41 51/33 40/24 East Stroudsburg 35/16 39/17 49/26 61/36 72/46 80/55 85/59 83/58 75/50 64/38 51/30 40/22 Philadelphia Scranton Harrisburg

Pittsburgh Erie Allentown East Stroudsburg See also: Climate change in Pennsylvania History Main article: History of Pennsylvania See also: Province of Pennsylvania List of Pennsylvania firsts  and List of people from Pennsylvania Before the Commonwealth was settled by Europeans the area was home to the Delaware (also known as Lenni Lenape) Susquehannock Iroquois Eriez Shawnee and other American Indian Nations.9 Both the Dutch and the English claimed both sides of the Delaware River as part of their colonial lands in America.101112 The Dutch were the first to take possession and this has impact on the history of Pennsylvania.13 By June 3 1631 the Dutch had started up the DelMarVa Peninsula by establishing the Zwaanendael Colony on the site of present day Lewes Delaware.14 In 1638 Sweden heated up the issue by establishing the New Sweden Colony centered on Fort Christina on the site of present day Wilmington Delaware. New Sweden claimed and for the most part controlled the lower Delaware River region (Parts of present Delaware New Jersey and Pennsylvania) but settled few colonists there.1516 Penn's Treaty with the Indians by Edward Hicks. On March 12 1664 King Charles II of England gave James Duke of York a Grant that included all of the lands included in the original Virginia Company of Plymouth Grant as well as other lands. This grant was again in conflict with the Dutch claim for New Netherland which included parts of todays Pennsylvania.17 On June 24 1664 The Duke of York sold the portion of his large grant that included present day New Jersey to John Berkeley and George Carteret for a proprietary colony. As of yet the land was not in British possession but the sale boxed in the portion of New Netherland on the West side of the Delaware River. The British conquest of New Netherland was commenced on August 29 1664 when New Amsterdam was coerced to surrender facing the cannons on British ships in New York Harbor.1819 This conquest continued and was completed in October of 1664 when the British captured Fort Casimir in what today is New Castle Delaware. John Dickinson The Peace of Breda between England France and the Netherlands confirmed the British conquest on July 21 16672021 although there were temporary reversions. On September 12 1672 as part of the Third AngloDutch War the Dutch re-conquered New York Colony/New Amsterdam the Dutch established three County Courts which went on to become original Counties in present day Delaware and Pennsylvania. The one that later transferred to Pennsylvania was Upland.22 This was partially reversed on February 9 1674 when the Treaty of Westminster ended the Third Anglo-Dutch War and reverted all political situations to the Status Quo Ante Bellum. The British retained the Dutch Counties with their Dutch names.23 By June 11 1674 New York reasserted control over the outlying colonies including Upland but the names started to be changed to British names by November 11 1674.24 Upland was partitioned on November 12 1674 producing the general outline of the current border between Pennsylvania and Delaware.25 On February 28 1681 Charles II granted a land charter26 to William Penn to repay a debt of 1600027 (around 2100000 in 2008 adjusting for retail inflation)28 owed to William's father Admiral Penn. This was one of the largest land grants to an individual in history.29 It was called Pennsylvania William Penn wanted it called New Wales Sylvania was embarrassed at the change fearing that people would think he had named it after himself but King Charles would not rename the grant cite book urlhttp://www.britannia.com/celtic/wales/facts/facts1.html. Penn established a government with two innovations that were much copied in the New World: the county commission and freedom of religious conviction.29 What had been Upland on what became the Pennsylvania side of the Pennsylvania-Delaware Border was renamed as Chester County when Pennsylvania instituted their colonial governments on March 4 1681.3031 The Quaker leader William Penn had signed a peace treaty with Tammany leader of the Delaware tribe beginning a long period of friendly relations between the Quakers and the Indians.32 Additional treaties between Quakers and other tribes followed. The treaty of William Penn was never violated.33 Between 1730 and when it was shut down by Parliament with the Currency Act of 1764 the Pennsylvania Colony made its own paper money to account for the shortage of actual gold and silver. The paper money was called Colonial Scrip. The Colony issued "bills of credit" which were as good as gold or silver coins because of their legal tender status. Since they were issued by the government and not a banking institution it was an interest-free proposition largely defraying the expense of the government and therefore taxation of the people. It also promoted general employment and prosperity since the Government used discretion and did not issue too much to inflate the currency. Benjamin Franklin had a hand in creating this currency of which he said its utility was never to be disputed and it also met with the "cautious approval" of Adam Smith.34 President's House Philadelphia. The Masters-Penn mansion housed Pennsylvania's governor in the early 1770s. It later served as the presidential mansion of George Washington and John Adams 17901800 while Philadelphia was the temporary national capital. After the Stamp Act Congress of 1765 Delegate John Dickinson of Philadelphia Pennsylvania wrote the Declaration of Rights and Grievances. The Congress was the first meeting of the thirteen colonies called at the request of the Massachusetts Assembly but only nine colonies sent delegates.35 Dickinson then wrote Letters from a Farmer in Pennsylvania To the Inhabitants of the British Colonies which were published in the Pennsylvania Chronicle between December 2 1767 and February 15 1768.36 When the Founding Fathers of the United States convened in Philadelphia in 1774 12 colonies sent representatives to the First Continental Congress.37 The Second Continental Congress which also met in Philadelphia (in May 1775) drew up and signed the Declaration of Independence in Philadelphia38 but when that city was captured by the British the Continental Congress escaped westward meeting at the Lancaster courthouse on Saturday September 27 1777 and then to York. There they drew up the Articles of Confederation that formed 13 independent colonies into a new nation. Later the Constitution was written and Philadelphia was once again chosen to be cradle to the new American Nation.39 Pennsylvania became the second state to ratify the U.S. Constitution on December 12 178740 five days after Delaware became the first. Dickinson College of Carlisle was the first college founded in the United States. Established in 1773 the college was ratified five days after the Treaty of Paris on September 9 1783. The school was founded by Benjamin Rush and named after John Dickinson. The "Hills Capitol" used from 1821 until it burned down in 1897 For half a century the Commonwealth's General Assembly (legislature) met at various places in the general Philadelphia area before starting to meet regularly in Independence Hall in Philadelphia for 63 years.41 But it needed a more central location as for example the Paxton Boys massacres of 1763 had made the legislature aware. So in 1799 the General Assembly moved to the Lancaster Courthouse41 and finally in 1812 to Harrisburg.41 The General Assembly met in the old Dauphin County Court House until December 182141 when the Federal-style "Hills Capitol" (named for its builder Stephen Hills a Lancaster architect) was constructed on a hilltop land grant of four acres set aside for a seat of state government by the prescient entrepreneurial son and namesake of John Harris Sr. a Yorkshire native who had founded a trading post in 1705 and ferry (1733) on the east shore of the Susquehanna River.42 The Hills Capitol burned down on February 2 1897 during a heavy snowstorm presumably because of a faulty flue.41 The General Assembly met at Grace Methodist Church on State Street (still standing) until the a new capitol could be built. Following an architectural selection contest that many alleged had been "rigged" Chicago architect Henry Ives Cobb was charged with designing and building a replacement building; however the legislature had little money to allocate to the project and a roughly finished somewhat industrial building (the Cobb Capitol) was completed. The General Assembly refused to occupy the building. Political and popular indignation in 1901 prompted a second contest that was restricted to Pennsylvania architects and Joseph Miller Huston of Philadelphia was chosen to design the present Pennsylvania State Capitol that incorporated Cobb's building into magnificent public work finished and dedicated in 1907.41 The new state Capitol drew rave reviews.41 Its dome was inspired by the domes of St. Peter's Basilica in Rome and the United States Capitol.41 President Theodore Roosevelt called it "the most beautiful state Capitol in the nation" and said "It's the handsomest building I ever saw" at the dedication. In 1989 the New York Times praised it as "grand even awesome at moments but it is also a working building accessible to citizens ... a building that connects with the reality of daily life".41 Pennsylvania accounts for nine percent of all wooded areas in the United States. In 1923 President Calvin Coolidge established the Allegheny National Forest under the authority of the Weeks Act of 1911 in the northwest part of the state in Elk Forest McKean and Warren Counties for the purposes of timber production and watershed protection in the Allegheny River basin. The Allegheny is the state's only national forest. James Buchanan of Franklin County was the only bachelor President of the United States43 and the only one to be born in Pennsylvania. The Battle of Gettysburg-the major turning point of the Civil Wartook place near Gettysburg.44 An estimated 350000 Pennsylvanians served in the Union Army forces along with 8600 African American military volunteers. Pennsylvania was also the home of the first commercially drilled oil well. In 1859 near Titusville Pennsylvania Edwin L. Drake successfully drilled the well which led to the first major oil boom in United States history. Demographics Further information: List of people from Pennsylvania Demographics of Pennsylvania (csv) By race White Black AIAN* Asian NHPI* 2000 (total population) 87.60% 10.71% 0.43% 2.04% 0.07% 2000 (Hispanic only) 2.74% 0.44% 0.06% 0.03% 0.02% 2005 (total population) 86.83% 11.20% 0.45% 2.46% 0.09% 2005 (Hispanic only) 3.52% 0.53% 0.07% 0.05% 0.02% Growth 200005 (total population) 0.32% 5.83% 5.64% 22.23% 18.99% Growth 200005 (non-Hispanic only) -0.64% 5.21% 2.77% 21.86% 14.13% Growth 200005 (Hispanic only) 29.86% 20.24% 23.61% 45.64% 35.44% * AIAN is American Indian or Alaskan Native; NHPI is Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander As of the 2010 census the state was 79.5% White 10.8% Black or African American 0.2% Native American 2.7% Asian and 1.9% were two or more races. 5.7% of the population were of Hispanic or Latino ancestry.6. Pennsylvania's Hispanic population grew by 82.6% between 2000 and 2010 making it one of the largest increases in a state's Hispanic population. The significant growth of the Hispanic population is due to Mexican and Central American immigration to the state as well as from the wave of Hispanics fleeing New York and New Jersey for safer and more affordable living. The Asian population swelled by almost 60% which was fueled by Indian Vietnamese and Chinese immigration as well the many Asian transplants moving to Philadelphia from New York. The rapid growth of this community has given Pennsylvania one of the largest Asian populations in the nation by numerical values. The Black and African American population grow by 13% which was the largest increase in that population amongst the state's peers (New York New Jersey Ohio Illinois and Michigan).The White population declined by 0.7% a trend that is beginning to reverse itself. Twelve other states saw decreases in their White populations7. The center of population of Pennsylvania is located in Perry County in the borough of Duncannon.45 State population from 1790 to 2000 Pennsylvania's population distribution. As of 2006 Pennsylvania has an estimated population of 12440621 which is an increase of 35273 from the previous year and an increase of 159567 since the year 2000. Net migration from other states resulted in a decrease of 27718 and immigration from other countries resulted in an increase of 127007. Net migration to the Commonwealth was 98289. Migration of native Pennsylvanians resulted in a decrease of 100000 people. In 2006 5.00% of Pennsylvanians were foreign born (621480 people).46 The state has an estimated 2005 poverty rate of 11.9%.47 The state also has the 3rd highest proportion of elderly (65+) citizens in 2005.47 Foreign-born Pennsylvanians are largely from Asia (36.0%) Europe (35.9%) Latin America (30.6%) Africa (5%) North America (3.1%) and Oceania (0.4%). Pennsylvania's reported population of Hispanics especially among the Asian Hawaiian and White races has markedly increased in recent years.48 The Hispanic population is greatest in Allentown Lancaster Reading Hazleton and around Philadelphia with over 20% being Hispanic. It is not clear how much of this change reflects a changing population and how much reflects increased willingness to self-identify minority status. As of 2010 it is estimated that about 85% of all Hispanics in Pennsylvania live within a 150 miles (240 km) radius of Philadelphia and about 20% within the city itself. Pennsylvania's population was reported as 5.9% under 5 and 23.8% under 18 with 15.6% aged 65 or older. Females made up 51.7% of the population.49 The largest ancestry groups are listed below expressed as a percentage of total people who responded with a particular ancestry for the 20062008 census:50 28.5% German 18.2% Irish 12.8% Italian 10.3% African American 8.5% English 7.2% Polish 1.9% French 4.3% United States or American 4.2% French Canadian 2.5% Puerto Rican 2.2% Dutch 2.0% Slovak 2.0% Scotch Irish 1.7% Scottish 1.6% Russian 1.5% Welsh 1.2% Hungarian 1.0% Ukrainian The five largest estimated ancestry groups in Pennsylvania are: German (28.5%) Irish (18.2%) Italian (12.8%) English (8.5%) and Polish (7.2%). Historical populations Census Pop. % 1790 434373 1800 602365 38.7% 1810 810091 34.5% 1820 1049458 29.5% 1830 1348233 28.5% 1840 1724033 27.9% 1850 2311786 34.1% 1860 2906215 25.7% 1870 3521951 21.2% 1880 4282891 21.6% 1890 5258113 22.8% 1900 6302115 19.9% 1910 7665111 21.6% 1920 8720017 13.8% 1930 9631350 10.5% 1940 9900180 2.8% 1950 10498012 6.0% 1960 11319366 7.8% 1970 11793909 4.2% 1980 11863895 0.6% 1990 11881643 0.1% 2000 12281054 3.4% 2010 12702379 3.4% Religion The new sovereign also enacted several wise and wholesome laws for his colony which have remained invariably the same to this day. The chief is to illtreat no person on account of religion and to consider as brethren all those who believe in one God. Voltaire speaking of William Penn51 Of all the colonies only Rhode Island had religious freedom as secure as in Pennsylvania and one result was an incredible religious diversity one which continues to this day.52 Pennsylvania's population in 2000 was 12281054. Of these 8448193 were estimated to belong to some sort of organized religion. According to the Association of religion data archives at Pennsylvania State University reliable data exists for 7116348 religious adherents in Pennsylvania in 2000 following 115 different faiths.53 Their affiliations including percentage of all adherents were:54 Roman Catholic: 3802524 (53.43%) Orthodox: 75354 (1.06%) Mainline Protestant: 2140682 (30%) United Methodist Church: 659350 (9.27%) Evangelical Lutheran Church in America: 611913 (8.60%) Presbyterian Church: 324714 (4.56%) United Church of Christ: 241844 (3.40%) American Baptist Churches in the USA: 132858 (1.87%) Episcopal Church: 116511 (1.64%) Evangelical Protestant: 704204 (10%) Assemblies of God: 84153 (1.18%) Church of the Brethren: 52684 (0.74%) Mennonite Church USA: 48215 (0.68%) Christian and Missionary Alliance: 45926 (0.65%) Southern Baptist Convention: 44432 (0.62%) Independent Non-charismatic churches: 42992 (0.60%) Other theology: 393584 (5.53%) Jewish estimate: 283000 (3.98%)(4th largest in the United States) (Could be as high as 350000) Muslim estimate: 71190 (1.00%) The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints: 31032 (0.44%) Unitarian Universalist Association of Congregations: 6778 (0.10%) While Pennsylvania has a very numerous Amish population Holmes County Ohio has the largest Amish population in the world.55 While Pennsylvania owes its existence to Quakers and many of the older trappings of the Commonwealth are rooted in the teachings of the Religious Society of Friends (as they are officially known) practicing Quakers are a small minority today. Pennsylvania Dutch The term "Dutch" when referring to the Pennsylvania Dutch means "German" or "Teutonic" rather than "Netherlander." Germans in their own language call themselves "Deutsch" which in English became misleadingly "Dutch."56 The Pennsylvania Dutch language is a descendant of German in the West Central German dialect family. Although it is still spoken as a first language among some Old Order Amish and Mennonites (principally in the Lancaster County area) the language is almost extinct as an everyday language among the non-religious though a few words have passed into English usage. Economy Bethlehem Steel's closed manufacturing facility in Bethlehem Pennsylvania. This site later became a new multi-million dollar Sands Casino Resort in 2009. Pennsylvania's 2008 total gross state product (GSP) of $553.3 billion57 ranks the state 6th in the nation. If Pennsylvania were an independent country its economy would rank as the 18th largest in the world. On a per-capita basis Pennsylvania's per-capita GSP of $35641 ranks 26th among the 50 states.57 Philadelphia in the southeast corner Pittsburgh in the southwest corner Erie in the northwest corner Scranton-Wilkes-Barre in the northeast corner and Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton in the east central region are urban manufacturing centers. Much of the Commonwealth is rural; this dichotomy affects state politics as well as the state economy.58 Philadelphia is home to six Fortune 500 companies59 with more located in suburbs like King of Prussia; it's a leader in the financial60 and insurance industry. Pittsburgh is home to eight Fortune 500 companies including U.S. Steel PPG Industries and H.J. Heinz.59 In all Pennsylvania is home to fifty Fortune 500 companies.59 Erie is also home to GE Transportation Systems which is the largest producer of train locomotives in the United States. As in the US as a whole and in most states the largest private employer in the Commonwealth is Wal-Mart followed by the University of Pennsylvania.61 As of January 2010 the state's unemployment rate is 8.8%.62 Banking The famous Crayola crayon company is based in Easton. The first nationally chartered bank in the United States the Bank of North America was founded in 1781 in Philadelphia. After a series of mergers the Bank of North America is part of Wachovia which uses national charter 1. Pennsylvania is also the home to the first nationally-chartered bank under the 1863 National Banking Act. That year the Pittsburgh Savings & Trust Company received a national charter and renamed itself the First National Bank of Pittsburgh as part of the National Banking Act. That bank is still in existence today as PNC Financial Services and remains based in Pittsburgh. PNC is the state's largest bank and the sixth-largest in the United States. Agriculture Pennsylvania ranks 19th overall in agricultural production63 but 1st in mushrooms 3rd in Christmas trees and layer chickens 4th in nursery and sod milk corn for silage grapes grown (including juice grapes)64 and horses production. It also ranks 8th in the nation in Winemaking.64 Gambling Casino gambling was legalized in Pennsylvania in 2004. Currently there are nine casinos across the state with three under construction or in planning. Only horse racing slot machines and electronic table games were legal in Pennsylvania although a bill to legalize table games was being negotiated in the fall of 2009.65 Tables games such as poker roulette black jack and dice were finally approved by the state legislature in January 2010 being signed into law by the Governor on January 7. Sports betting is illegal. Governor Ed Rendell has considered legalizing video poker machines in bars and private clubs since an estimated 17000 operate illegally across the state.66 Under this plan any establishment with a liquor license would be allowed up to 5 machines. All machines would be connected to the state's computer system like commercial casinos. The state would impose a 50% tax on net gambling revenues after winning players have been paid with the remaining 50% going to the establishment owners. Governance Presidential elections results67 Year Republican Democratic 2008 44.15% 2655885 54.47% 3276363 2004 48.42% 2793847 50.92% 2938095 2000 46.43% 2281127 50.60% 2485967 1996 39.97% 1801169 49.17% 2215819 1992 36.13% 1791841 45.15% 2239164 1988 50.70% 2300087 48.39% 2194944 1984 53.34% 2584323 45.99% 2228131 1980 49.59% 2261872 42.48% 1937540 1976 47.73% 2205604 50.40% 2328677 1972 59.11% 2714521 39.13% 1796951 1968 44.02% 2090017 47.59% 2259405 1964 34.70% 1673657 64.92% 3130954 1960 48.74% 2439956 51.06% 2556282 Voter Registration and Party Enrollment as of June 28 201068 Party Number of Voters Percentage   Democratic 4309604 51.00%   Republican 3122036 36.95%   Unaffiliated 492077 5.82%   Minor Parties 525962 6.22% Total 8449679 100% Government Main article: Government of Pennsylvania See also: Commonwealth (U.S. state) Pennsylvania has had five constitutions during its statehood:69 1776 1790 1838 1874 and 1968. Prior to that the province of Pennsylvania was governed for a century by a Frame of Government of which there were four versions: 1682 1683 1696 and 1701.69 The capital of Pennsylvania is Harrisburg. The legislature meets in the State Capitol there. In recent elections Pennsylvania has leaned Democratic; however in 2010 Republicans recaputed a U.S. Senate seat with the election of Pat Toomey as well as a majority of the state's congressional seats and control of both chambers of the state legislature. Additionally Republicans regained control of the governor's office when Tom Corbett was sworn in on January 18 2011. Governor Main article: List of Governors of Pennsylvania The current Governor is Tom Corbett former Attorney General of Pennsylvania. The other elected officials composing the executive branch are the Lieutenant Governor Jim Cawley Attorney General Linda Kelly Auditor General Jack Wagner and State Treasurer Robert McCord.70 See also: List of Pennsylvania state agencies General Assembly Main article: Pennsylvania General Assembly Pennsylvania has a bicameral legislature set up by Commonwealth's constitution in 1790. The original Frame of Government of William Penn had a unicameral legislature.71 The General Assembly includes 50 Senators72 and 203 Representatives.73 Joe Scarnati is currently President Pro Tempore of the State Senate74 Dominic Pileggi the Majority Leader75 and Jay Costa the Minority Leader.76 Sam Smith is Speaker of the House of Representatives77 with Mike Turzai as Majority Leader78 and Frank Dermody as Minority Leader.79 As of the 2010 elections the Republicans hold the majority in the State House and Senate. Judiciary Main article: Unified Judicial System of Pennsylvania Pennsylvania is divided into 60 judicial districts80 most of which (except Philadelphia) have magisterial district judges (formerly called district justices and justices of the peace) who preside mainly over preliminary hearings in felony and misdemeanor offenses all minor (summary) criminal offenses and small civil claims.80 Most criminal and civil cases originate in the Courts of Common Pleas which also serve as appellate courts to the district judges and for local agency decisions.80 The Superior Court hears all appeals from the Courts of Common Pleas not expressly designated to the Commonwealth Court or Supreme Court. It also has original jurisdiction to review warrants for wiretap surveillance.80 The Commonwealth Court is limited to appeals from final orders of certain state agencies and certain designated cases from the Courts of Common Pleas.80 The Supreme Court of Pennsylvania is the final appellate court. All judges in Pennsylvania are elected; the chief justice is determined by seniority.80 Taxation Sales tax provides 39% of Commonwealth's revenue; personal income tax 34%; motor vehicle taxes about 12% and taxes on cigarettes and alcohol beverage 5%.81 Personal income tax is a flat 3.07%. An individual's taxable income is based on the following eight types of income: compensation (salary); interest; dividends; net profits from the operation of a business profession or farm; net gains or income from the dispositions of property; net gains or income from rents royalties patents and copyrights; income derived through estates or trusts; and gambling and lottery winnings (other than Pennsylvania Lottery winnings).82 Counties municipalities and school districts levy taxes on real estate. In addition some local bodies assess a wage tax on personal income. Generally the total wage tax rate is capped at 1% of income but some municipalities with home rule charters may charge more than 1%. Thirty-two of the Commonwealth's sixty-seven counties levy a personal property tax on stocks bonds and similar holdings. Representation in the 112th Congress Pennsylvania's two U.S. Senators in the 112th Congress are Bob Casey Jr. and Pat Toomey Pennsylvania's U.S. Representatives for the term beginning January 2011 are Bob Brady (1st) Chaka Fattah (2nd) Mike Kelly (3rd) Jason Altmire (4th) Glenn "G.T." Thompson (5th) Jim Gerlach (6th) Pat Meehan (7th) Mike Fitzpatrick (8th) Bill Shuster (9th) Tom Marino (10th) Lou Barletta (11th) Mark Critz (12th) Allyson Schwartz (13th) Mike Doyle (14th) Charlie Dent (15th) Joe Pitts (16th) Tim Holden (17th) Tim Murphy (18th) and Todd Platts (19th).83 See map of congressional districts Regional strength In the past decade no political party has been clearly dominant in Pennsylvania. This combined with Pennsylvania's rank of 6th in the country in population has made it one of the most important swing states. Democrats are strong in Philadelphia County Delaware County Erie County Allegheny County Lehigh County Northampton County Luzerne County and Lackawanna County. Republicans are strong in Lancaster County York County Franklin County Westmoreland County Butler County Blair County Lycoming County and Cumberland County. Swing counties in the state include Bucks County Chester County Berks County Dauphin County Cambria County Beaver County and Mercer County. In general the Democrats are strongest in the large metro areas particularly Philadelphia Pittsburgh Erie and Allentown while Republican support is widespread in rural areas in the central Allegheny Mountains and in the northern counties. Since 1992 Pennsylvania has been trending Democratic in Presidential elections (though the Pittsburgh metropolitan area trended more Republican in the 2008 Presidential election) voting for Bill Clinton twice by large margins and slightly closer in 2000 for Al Gore. In the 2004 Presidential Election Senator John F. Kerry beat President George W. Bush in Pennsylvania 2938095 (50.92%) to 2793847 (48.42%). Most recently in the 2008 Presidential Election Democrat Barack Obama defeated Republican John McCain in Pennsylvania 3184778 (54%) to 2584088 (44%). The state holds 21 electoral votes.47 Further information: Political party strength in Pennsylvania The 2010 elections witnessed Republican victories throughout the state. Republicans captured control of the governor's office and both chambers of the state legislature. Republican Pat Toomey defeated Democrat Joe Sestak for the U.S. Senate seat currently held by Democratic senator Arlen Specter. Republicans also won five previously Democratic-held House seats creating a 127 Republican majority congressional delegation. Municipalities See also: List of counties in Pennsylvania List of cities in Pennsylvania List of townships in Pennsylvania and List of towns and boroughs in Pennsylvania The skyline of Philadelphia the largest city in Pennsylvania. The skyline of Pittsburgh the second largest city in Pennsylvania. The skyline of Allentown the third largest city in Pennsylvania. Pennsylvania is divided into 67 counties.84 Counties are further subdivided into municipalites that are either incorporated as cities boroughs or townships.85 One county Philadelphia County is coterminus with the city of Philadelphia after it was consolidated in 1854. There are a total of 56 cities in Pennsylvania which are classified by population as either first second or third class cities.8486 Philadelphia Pennsylvania's largest city has a population of 1547297 and is the state's only first class city.85 Pittsburgh (311647) and Scranton (71944) are second class and second class 'A' cities respectively.85 The rest of the cities like the third and fourth largestAllentown (107815) and Erie (103571)to the smallestParker with a population of only 738are third class cities.87 First and second class cities are governed by a "strong mayor" form of mayorcouncil government whereas third class cities are governed by either a "weak mayor" form of government or a councilmanager government.85 Boroughs are generally smaller than cities with most Pennsylvania cities having been incorporated as a borough before being incorporated as a city.85 There are 958 boroughs in Pennsylvania all of which governed by the "weak mayor" form of mayorcouncil government.8485 Townships are the third type of municipality in Pennsylvania and are classified as either first class or second class townships. There are 1454 second class townships and 93 first class townships.88 Second class township can become first class townships if it has a population density greater than 300 inhabitants per square mile (120 /km2) and a referendum is passed supporting the change.88 There is one exception to the types of municipalities in Pennsylvania: Bloomsburg was incorporated as a town in 1870 and is officially the only town in the state.89 In 1975 McCandless Township adopted a home-rule charter under the name of "Town of McCandless" but is legally still a first class township.90 Education Main article: Education in Pennsylvania The University of Pennsylvania quadrangle in Philadelphia Pennsylvania has 500 public school districts thousands of private schools publicly funded colleges and universities and over 100 private institutions of higher education. Primary and secondary education In general under state law school attendance in Pennsylvania is mandatory for a child from the age of 8 until the age of 17 or until graduation from an accredited high school whichever is earlier.91 As of 2005 83.8% of Pennsylvania residents age 18 to 24 have completed high school. Among residents age 25 and over 86.7% have graduated from high school. Additionally 25.7% have gone on to obtain a bachelors degree or higher.92 State students consistently do well in standardized testing. In 2007 Pennsylvania ranked 14th in mathematics 12th in reading and 10th in writing for 8th grade students.93 In 1988 the Pennsylvania General Assembly passed Act 169 which allows parents or guardians to homeschool their children as an option for compulsory school attendance. This law specifies the requirements and responsibilities of the parents and the school district where the family lives.94 Higher education See also: List of colleges and universities in Pennsylvania The Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education (PASSHE) is the public university system of the Commonwealth with 14 state-owned schools. The Commonwealth System of Higher Education is organizing body of the 4 state-related schools in Pennsylvania these schools are independent institutions that receive some state funding. There are also 15 publicly funded two-year community colleges and technical schools that are separate from the PASSHE system. Additionally there are many private two- and four-year technical schools colleges and universities. Carnegie Mellon University Pennsylvania State University the University of Pennsylvania and the University of Pittsburgh are members of the Association of American Universities an invitation only organization of leading research universities. Pennsylvania State University is the Commonwealth's Land-grant university Sea Grant College and Space Grant College. The University of Pennsylvania is considered the first university in the United States and established the first medical school in the United States as well as being the only Ivy League school in the state. The Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts is the first and oldest art school in the United States.95 Philadelphia College of Pharmacy now a part of University of the Sciences in Philadelphia was the first pharmacy school in the United States.96 Recreation Dorney Park and Wildwater Kingdom's Steel Force and Thunderhawk roller coasters in Allentown Pennsylvania is home to the nation's first zoo the Philadelphia Zoo.97 Other long-accredited AZA zoos include the Erie Zoo and the Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium. The Lehigh Valley Zoo and ZOOAMERICA are other notable zoos. The Commonwealth boasts some of the finest museums in the country including the Carnegie Museums in Pittsburgh the Philadelphia Museum of Art and several others. One unique museum is the Houdini Museum in Scranton the only building in the world devoted to the legendary magician.98 Pennsylvania is also home to the National Aviary located in Pittsburgh. Ohiopyle State Park timelapse All 121 state parks in Pennsylvania feature free admission. Pennsylvania offers a number of notable amusement parks including Camel Beach Conneaut Lake Park Dorney Park & Wildwater Kingdom Dutch Wonderland DelGrosso Amusement Park Hersheypark Idlewild Park Kennywood Knoebels Lakemont Park Sandcastle Waterpark Sesame Place Great Wolf Lodge and Waldameer Park. Pennsylvania also is home to the largest indoor waterpark resort on the East Coast Splash Lagoon in Erie. There are also notable music festivals that take place in Pennsylvania. These include Musikfest and NEARfest in Bethlehem the Philadelphia Folk Festival Creation Festival the Great Allentown Fair and Purple Door. There are nearly one million licensed hunters in Pennsylvania. Whitetail deer cottontail rabbits squirrel turkey and grouse are common game species. Pennsylvania is considered one of the finest wild turkey hunting states in the Union alongside Texas and Alabama. Sport hunting in Pennsylvania provides a massive boost for the Commonwealth's economy. A report from The Center for Rural Pennsylvania (a Legislative Agency of the Pennsylvania General Assembly) reported that hunting fishing and furtaking generated a total of $9.6 billion statewide. The Boone and Crockett Club shows that five of the ten largest (skull size) black bear entries came from the state.99 The state also has a tied record for the largest hunter shot black bear in the Boone & Crockett books at 733 lb (332 kg) and a skull of 23 3/16 tied with a bear shot in California in 1993.99 The largest bear ever found dead was in Utah in 1975 and the second largest was shot by a poacher in the state in 1987.99 Pennsylvania holds the second highest number of Boone & Crockett-recorded record black bears at 183 second only to Wisconsin's 299.99 Transportation See also: List of airports in Pennsylvania Exterior Interior The Allegheny Mountain Tunnel is the longest of the five tunnels on the Pennsylvania Turnpike. The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation abbreviated as PennDOT owns 39861 miles (64150 km) of the 121770 miles (195970 km) of roadway in the state making it the fifth largest state highway system in the United States.100 The Pennsylvania Turnpike system is 535 miles (861 km) long with the mainline portion stretching from Ohio to Philadelphia and New Jersey.100 It is overseen by the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission. Another major eastwest route is Interstate 80 whichs runs primarily in the northern tier of the state from Ohio to New Jersey at the Delaware Water Gap. Interstate 90 travels the relatively short distance between Ohio and New York through Erie County in the extreme northwestern part of the state. Primary northsouth highways are Interstate 79 from its terminus in Erie through Pittsburgh to West Virginia Interstate 81 from New York through Scranton Lackawanna County and Harrisburg to Maryland and Interstate 476 which begins 7 miles (11 km) north of the Delaware border in Chester Delaware County and travels 132 miles (212 km) to Clarks Summit Lackawanna County where it joins I-81. All but 20 miles (32 km) of I-476 is the Northeast Extension of the Pennsylvania Turnpike while the highway south of the main line of the Pennsylvania Turnpike is officially called the "Veterans Memorial Highway" but is commonly referred to by locals as the "Blue Route". The Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) is the sixth largest transit agency in the United States and operates the commuter heavy and light rail transit and transit bus service in the Philadelphia metropolitan area. The Port Authority of Allegheny County is the 25th largest transit agency and provides transit bus and light rail service in and around Pittsburgh.101 Intercity passenger rail transit is provided by Amtrak with the majority of traffic occurring on the Keystone Service in the high-speed Keystone Corridor between Harrisburg and Philadelphia's 30th Street Station before heading north to New York City; the Pennsylvanian follows the same route from New York City to Harrisburg but extends out to Pittsburgh. The Capitol Limited also passes through Pittsburgh as well as Connellsville on its way from Chicago to Washington D.C.102 Traveling between Chicago and New York City the Lake Shore Limited passes through Erie once in each direction.102 There are 67 short-line freight railroads operating in Pennsylvania the highest number in any U.S. state.102 Pennsylvania has six major airports: Philadelphia International Pittsburgh International Lehigh Valley International Harrisburg International Erie International and Wilkes-Barre/Scranton International. A total of 134 public-use airport are located in the state.102 The port of Pittsburgh is the second largest inland port in the United States and the 18th largest port overall; the Port of Philadelphia is the 24th largest port in the United States.103 Pennsylvania's only port on the Great Lakes is located in Erie. The Allegheny River Lock and Dam Two is the most-used lock operated by the United States Army Corps of Engineers of its 255 nationwide.104 The dam impounds the Allegheny River near Downtown Pittsburgh. Sports Main article: Sports in Pennsylvania Further information: List of people from Pennsylvania Citizens Bank Park in South Philadelphia home of the Philadelphia Phillies Pennsylvania is home to many professional sports teams including the Philadelphia Phillies and Pittsburgh Pirates of Major League Baseball the Philadelphia Eagles and Pittsburgh Steelers of the National Football League the Philadelphia 76ers of the National Basketball Association the Philadelphia Flyers and Pittsburgh Penguins of the National Hockey League the Philadelphia Union of Major League Soccer the Erie Bayhawks of the National Basketball Association Development League the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins and Hershey Bears of the American Hockey League the Philadelphia Soul and the Pittsburgh Power of the Arena Football League and the Philadelphia Wings of the National Lacrosse League. Among them these teams have accumulated 7 World Series Championships (Pirates 5 Phillies 2) 16 National League Pennants (Pirates 9 Phillies 7) 3 pre-Super Bowl era NFL Championships (Eagles) 6 Super Bowl Championships (Steelers) 1 Arena Bowl Championship (Soul) 2 NBA Championships (76ers) 5 Stanley Cups (Penguins 3 Flyers 2) 11 Calder Cups (Bears) and 6 Champion's Cups (Wings). There are many minor league baseball teams located throughout the state; several of these teams are associated with either the Phillies or the Pirates. In 2008 the Phillies moved their AAA-level team the Lehigh Valley IronPigs from Ottawa Ontario in Canada to a newly-constructed stadium Coca-Cola Park in Allentown. The Lehigh Valley is a core fan base for both the Phillies and the Philadelphia Eagles who conduct their pre-season training camp on the practice fields of Lehigh University. Therefore expectations are that the Lehigh Valley IronPigs (named after pig iron an instrumental part in the construction of steel which used to be a large part of the local economy for decades) is likely to prove popular among Allentown and Lehigh Valley Phillies fans. The Phillies' AA team also called the Phillies is located in Reading while the short-season A-level affiliate called the Crosscutters is located in Williamsport. The Pirates' AA team the Curve is located in Altoona. The short-season A-level affiliate the State College Spikes is located in State College. The Spikes share a stadium with the Penn State University baseball team. Other Major League Baseball teams have a presence in the state as well. The New York Yankees' AAA team also called the Yankees is located in Moosic between Scranton and Wilkes-Barre in the northeastern part of the state. The Detroit Tigers' AA team the SeaWolves is located in Erie and the Washington Nationals' AA affiliate the Senators plays in the capital of Harrisburg. Two independent-league teams the Lancaster Barnstormers and York Revolution of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball are located in south-central Pennsylvania while the Washington Wild Things of the Frontier League are located in the south-western corner of the state. Coca-Cola Park in Allentown home of the Lehigh Valley IronPigs Each summer the Little League World Series is held in South Williamsport near where Little League Baseball was founded in Williamsport. Also the first World Series between the Boston Pilgrims (which became the Boston Red Sox) and Pittsburgh Pirates was played in Pittsburgh in 1903. College football is very popular in Pennsylvania. The Penn State University Nittany Lions are coached by Joe Paterno who has led Penn State to two national championships (1982 & 1986) as well as five undefeated seasons (1968 1969 1973 1986 and 1994). Penn State plays its home games in the largest stadium in the United States Beaver Stadium which seats 107282. In addition the University of Pittsburgh Panthers have won nine national championships (1915 1916 1918 1929 1931 1934 1936 1937 and 1976) and have played eight undefeated seasons (1904 1910 1915 1916 1917 1920 1937 and 1976).105 Pitt plays its home games at Heinz Field a facility it shares with the Pittsburgh Steelers. Other Pennsylvania schools that have won national titles in football include Lafayette College (1896) Villanova University(2009) and the University of Pennsylvania (1895 1897 1904 and 1908).106 In professional football the Philadelphia Eagles hold their training camp annually each July and August at Lehigh University in Bethlehem. College basketball is also popular in the state especially in the Philadelphia area where five universities collectively termed the Big Five have a rich tradition in NCAA Division I basketball. National titles in college basketball have been won by the following Pennsylvania universities: La Salle University (1954) Temple University (1938) University of Pennsylvania (1920 and 1921) University of Pittsburgh (1928 and 1930) and Villanova University (1985).107108 Soccer is gaining popularity within the state of Pennsylvania as well. With the addition of the Philadelphia Union in the MLS the state now boasts three teams that are eligible to compete for the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup annually. The other two teams are the Pittsburgh Riverhounds and the Harrisburg City Islanders both of the United Soccer Leagues Second Division (USL-2). Within the American Soccer Pyramid the MLS takes the first tier while the USL-2 claims the third tier. The Pocono 500 at Pocono Raceway in Long Pond In motorsports the Mario Andretti dynasty of race drivers hails from Nazareth in the Lehigh Valley. Notable Racetracks in Pennsylvania include the Jennerstown Speedway in Jennerstown the Lake Erie Speedway in North East the Mahoning Valley Speedway in Lehighton the Motordome Speedway in Smithton the Mountain Speedway in St. Johns the Nazareth Speedway in Nazareth; and the Pocono Raceway in Long Pond which is home to both the NASCAR sanctioned Pennsylvania 500 and Pocono 500 stock car races. The state is also home to Maple Grove Raceway near Reading which hosts major National Hot Rod Association sanctioned drag racing events each year. There are also two motocross race tracks that host a round of the AMA Toyota Motocross Championships in Pennsylvania. High Point RacewayHigh Point in located in Mt. Morris PA and Steel City is located in Delmont PA. Horse racing courses for horses in Pennsylvania consist of The Meadows Racetrack south of Pittsburgh Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs in Wilkes-Barre and Harrah's Chester Casino and Racetrack in Chester which offer harness racing and Penn National Race Course in Grantville and Philadelphia Park in Bensalem and Presque Isle Downs south of Erie which offer thoroughbred racing. Smarty Jones the 2004 Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes winner had Philadelphia Park as his home course. Arnold Palmer one of the 20th century's most notable pro golfers comes from Latrobe while Jim Furyk a current PGA member grew up near in Lancaster. PGA tournaments in Pennsylvania include the 84 Lumber Classic played at Nemacolin Woodlands Resort in Farmington and the Northeast Pennsylvania Classic played at Glenmaura National Golf Club in Moosic. Philadelphia is home to LOVE Park once a skateboarding mecca and across from City Hall host to ESPN's X Games in 2001 and 2002.109 Food In his book Yo Mama Cooks Like a Yankee author Sharon Hernes Silverman calls Pennsylvania the snack food capital of the world.110 It leads all other states in the manufacture of pretzels and potato chips. The Sturgis Pretzel House introduced the pretzel to America and companies like Anderson Bakery Company Intercourse Pretzel Factory and Snyder's of Hanover are leading manufacturers in the Commonwealth. Two of the three companies that define the U.S. potato chip industry are based in Pennsylvania: Utz Quality Foods Inc. which started making chips in Hanover Pennsylvania in 1921 and Wise Snack Foods which started making chips in Berwick in 1921 (the third Lay's Potato Chips is a Texas company). Other companies such as Herr Foods Martin's Potato Chips Snyder's of Berlin (not associated with Snyder's of Hanover) and Troyer Farms Potato Products are popular chip manufacturers. The U.S. chocolate industry is centered in Hershey Pennsylvania with Mars Godiva and Wilbur Chocolate Company nearby and smaller manufacturers such as Asher's near Lansdale and Gertrude Hawk of Dunmore. Other notable companies include Just Born in Bethlehem PA makers of Hot Tamales Mike and Ikes and the Easter favorite marshmallow Peeps Benzel's Pretzels and Boyer Brothers of Altoona PA which is well known for its Mallo Cups. Auntie Anne's Pretzels began as a market-stand in Downingtown PA and now has corporate headquarters in Lancaster City.111 Traditional Pennsylvania Dutch foods include chicken potpie schnitz un knepp (dried apples hame and dumplings) fasnachts (raised doughnuts) scrapple pretzels bologna and chow-chow. Shoofly is another traditional Pennsylvanian Dutch food. D.G. Yuengling & Son America's oldest brewery has been brewing beer in Pottsville since 1829. Among the regional foods associated with Philadelphia are cheesesteaks hoagie soft pretzels liver on a stick Italian water ice scrapple Tastykake and strombolis. In Pittsburgh tomato ketchup was improved by Henry John Heinz from 1876 to the early 20th century. Famous to a lesser extent than Heinz ketchup are the Pittsburgh's Primanti Brothers Restaurant sandwiches pierogies and city chicken. Outside of Scranton in Old Forge there are dozens of Italian restaurants specializing in pizza made unique by thick light crust and American cheese. Erie also has its share of unique foods including Greek sauce sponge candy pepperoni balls and ox roast. Sauerkraut along with pork and mashed potatoes is a common meal on New Year's Day in Pennsylvania. State symbols The Ruffed Grouse US Brig Niagara in port Pennsylvania state insignia and historical facts State motto Virtue liberty and independence (Adapted in 1875 and it represents the fact that Philadelphia was the site where the Declaration of Independence was signed.) State tree Hemlock State bird Ruffed grouse112 State flower Mountain Laurel112 State insect Photuris pennsylvanica (Pennsylvania Firefly)112 State animal White-tailed deer112 State dog Great Dane State fish Brook Trout112 State fossil the trilobite Phacops rana112 State beverage Milk112 State capital Harrisburg113 Union admission rank 2nd State song "Pennsylvania" (formerly "Hail Pennsylvania!" until 1990)112 State dance Polka State toy Slinky114 State ship United States Brig Niagara112 State electric locomotive Pennsylvania Railroad GG1 #4849 Locomotive State steam locomotive Pennsylvania Railroad K4s Locomotive State beautification plant Crown vetch112 State soil Hazleton113 Nicknames Pennsylvania has been known as the Keystone State since 1802115 based in part upon its central location among the original Thirteen Colonies forming the United States and also in part because of the number of important American documents signed in the state (such as the Declaration of Independence). It was also a keystone state economically having both the industry common to the North (making such wares as Conestoga wagons and rifles)116117 and the agriculture common to the South (producing feed fiber food and tobacco).118 Another one of Pennsylvania's nicknames is the Quaker State; in colonial times it was known officially as the Quaker Province119 in recognition of Quaker120 William Penn's First Frame of Government121 constitution for Pennsylvania that guaranteed liberty of conscience. He knew of the hostility122 Quakers faced when they opposed religious ritual taking oaths violence war and military service and what they viewed as ostentatious frippery.123 "The Coal State" "The Oil State" "The Chocolate State" and "The Steel State" were adopted when those were the state's greatest industries.124 "The State of Independence" currently appears on many road signs entering the state. Notable people Main article: List of people from Pennsylvania Gallery Aliquippa Allentown Altoona Beaver Falls Bethlehem Butler Corry Easton Erie Greensburg Gettysburg Harrisburg Hazleton Jeannette Johnstown Lancaster Latrobe Lebanon Lock Haven McKees Rocks Monessen New Castle Philadelphia Pittsburgh Pittston City Pottsville Reading Renovo Scranton Shamokin Uniontown Warren Washington Wilkes-Barre Williamsport York See also North America portal United States portal Pennsylvania portal Index of Pennsylvania-related articles List of films and television shows shot in Pennsylvania Outline of Pennsylvania Notes "Pennsylvania Languages". Advameg Inc.. http://www.city-data.com/states/Pennsylvania-Languages.html. Retrieved 2010-05-07.  "Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for the United States Regions States and Puerto Rico: April 1 2000 to July 1 2009". United States Census Bureau. http://www.census.gov/popest/states/tables/NST-EST2009-01.csv. Retrieved 2009-12-30.  a b "Elevations and Distances in the United States". U.S Geological Survey. April 29 2005. http://erg.usgs.gov/isb/pubs/booklets/elvadist/elvadist.html#Highest. Retrieved 2006-11-07.  "National Parks Service: Our Fourth Shore". Cr.nps.gov. 2003-12-22. http://www.cr.nps.gov/history/onlinebooks/shore/shore8.htm. Retrieved 2010-07-31.  "NOAA Office of Ocean and Coastal Resources". Coastalmanagement.noaa.gov. http://coastalmanagement.noaa.gov/mystate/pa.html. Retrieved 2010-07-31.  "Pennsylvania geography". Netstate.com. http://www.netstate.com/states/geography/pageography.htm. Retrieved 2010-07-31.  2006 Statistical Abstract: Geography & Environment: Land and Land Usedead link "Pennsylvania Time Zone". Timetemperature.com. http://www.timetemperature.com/tzus/pennsylvaniatimezone.shtml. Retrieved 2010-07-31.  "Pennsylvania Indian tribes". Accessgenealogy.com. http://www.accessgenealogy.com/native/pennsylvania/. Retrieved 2010-07-31.  Paullin Charles O Edited by John K. Wright (19932). Atlas of the Historical Geography of the United States. New York New York and Washington D.C.:: Carnegie Institution of Washington and American Geographical Society. pp. Plate 42.  Swindler William F. Editor (19731979). Sources and Documents of United States Constitutions. 10 Volumes. Dobbs Ferry New York: Oceana Publications. pp. Vol. 10: 1723.  Van Zandt Franklin K. (1976). Boundaries of the United States and the Several States; Geological Survey Professional Paper 909.. Washington D.C.: Government Printing Office. pp. 74; 92.  Van Zandt Franklin K. (1976). Boundaries of the United States and the Several States; Geological Survey Professional Paper 909.. Washington D.C.: Government Printing Office. p. 74.  Munroe John A. (1978). Colonial Delaware: A History.. Millwood New York: KTO Press. pp. 912.  Munroe John A. (1978). Colonial Delaware: A History.. Millwood New York: KTO Press. p. 16.  McCormick Richard P. (1964). New Jersey from Colony to State 16091789. New Jersey Historical Series Volume 1.. Princeton New Jersey: D. Van Nostrand Company. p. 12.  Swindler William F. Editor (19731979). Sources and Documents of United States Constitutions. 10 Volumes. Dobbs Ferry New York: Oceana Publications. pp. Vol. 4: 278280.  Van Zandt Franklin K. (1976). Boundaries of the United States and the Several States; Geological Survey Professional Paper 909.. Washington D.C.: Government Printing Office. p. 79.  Swindler William F. Editor (19731979). Sources and Documents of United States Constitutions. 10 Volumes. Dobbs Ferry New York: Oceana Publications. pp. Vol. 6: 375377.  Farnham Mary Frances; Compiler. (19011902). Farnham Papers (16031688). Volumes 7 and 8 of Documentary History of the State of Maine.. Portland Maine: Collections of the Maine Historical Society 2nd Series.. pp. Vol. 7: 311 314.  Parry Clive (Editor) (19691981). Consolidated Treaty Series; 231 Volumes. Dobbs Ferry New York: Oceana Publications. pp. Volume 10: 231.  Fernow B. Editor (18531887). Documents Relative to the Colonial History of the State of New York;Volumes 1215.. Albany New York. pp. Vol 12:507508.  Parry Clive (Editor) (19691981). Consolidated Treaty Series; 231 Volumes. Dobbs Ferry New York: Oceana Publications. pp. Vol. 13: 136..  Fernow B. Editor (18531887). Documents Relative to the Colonial History of the State of New York;Volumes 1215.. Albany New York. pp. Vol 12:515.  Armstrong Edward; Editor (1860). Record of the Court at Upland in Pennsylvania 1676 to 1681. Memoirs of the Historical Society of Pennsylvania Volume 7. pp. 119 198.  Charter for the Province of Pennsylvania-1681. This charter granted by Charles II (England) to William Penn constituted him and his heirs proprietors of the province which in honor of his father Admiral Penn (whose cash advances and services were thus requited) was called Pennsylvania. To perfect his title William Penn purchased on 1682-08-24 a quit-claim from the Duke of York to the lands west of the Delaware River embraced in his patent of 1664 Pennsylvania Society of Colonial Governors ed (1916). "Samuel Carpenter". Pennsylvania Society of Colonial Governors Volume 1. pp. 180181. http://books.google.com/id4rQBAAAAMAAJ.  "Measuring Worth". Measuring Worth. http://www.measuringworth.com/ppoweruk/result.phpuse%5B%5DCPI&use%5B%5DNOMINALEARN&yearearly1681&pound7116000&shilling71&pence71&amount16000&yearsource1681&yearresult2008. Retrieved 2010-07-31.  a b "Quakers and the political process". Pym.org. 2006-03-28. Archived from the original on 2008-05-24. http://web.archive.org/web/20080524050103/http://www.pym.org/exhibit/p078.html. Retrieved 2010-07-31.  Armstrong Edward; Editor (1860). Record of the Court at Upland in Pennsylvania 1676 to 1681. Memoirs of the Historical Society of Pennsylvania Volume 7. p. 196.  Swindler William F. Editor (19731979). Sources and Documents of United States Constitutions. 10 Volumes. Dobbs Ferry New York: Oceana Publications. pp. Volume 8:243.  David Yount (2007). "How the Quakers invented America". Rowman & Littlefield. p.82. ISBN 0742558339 Sydney G. Fisher (2009). "The Quaker Colonies". Echo Library. p.13 ISBN 1406851108 Hamilton Alexander and Syrett Harold C. The Papers of Alexander Hamilton. 1963 page 240 "Library of Congress timeline 17641765". Memory.loc.gov. http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/collections/continental/timeline.html. Retrieved 2010-07-31.  "Dickinson Letters". 18thcenturyreadingroom.blogspot.com. http://18thcenturyreadingroom.blogspot.com/2005100118thcenturyreadingroomarchive.html. Retrieved 2010-07-31.  "Library of Congress timeline 17731774". Memory.loc.gov. http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/collections/continental/timeline1e.html. Retrieved 2010-07-31.  "Library of Congress: Primary documents The Declaration of Independence". Loc.gov. 2010-07-20. http://www.loc.gov/rr/program/bib/ourdocs/DeclarInd.html. Retrieved 2010-07-31.  "Nine Capitals of the United States". Senate.gov. 2009-03-26. http://www.senate.gov/reference/referenceitem/NineCapitalsoftheUnitedStates.htm. Retrieved 2010-07-31.  "Pennsylvania ratifies the Constitution of 1787". Memory.loc.gov. http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/today/dec12.html. Retrieved 2010-07-31.  a b c d e f g h i "Pennsylvania's Capitals". Legis.state.pa.us. http://www.legis.state.pa.us/WU01/VC/visitorinfo/brown/capitols.htm. Retrieved 2010-07-31.  "History of John Harris". Mrs. Carlyle C. Browne (descendant of Sarah Ann Harris fifth daughter of Alfred Bingham Harris and granddaughter of Elisha John Harris of the Mansion Harrisburg PA USA). 2001. http://www.angelfire.com/on/Canadiangenealogy/harris.html. Retrieved 2011-02-14.  "James Buchanan White House biography". Whitehouse.gov. http://www.whitehouse.gov/history/presidents/jb15.html. Retrieved 2010-07-31.  Battle of Gettysburgdead link "Population and Population Centers by State 2000". United States Census Bureau. http://www.census.gov/geo/www/cenpop/statecenters.txt. Retrieved 2008-12-03.  "Components of Population Change" (PDF). http://www.census.gov/popest/states/tables/NST-EST2004-04.pdf. Retrieved 2010-07-31.  a b c "Pennsylvania Facts 2007" (PDF). Pennsylvania State Data Center Penn State Harrisburg. 2007. Archived from the original on 2010-01-29. http://www.webcitation.org/5n8Tu9lEk. Retrieved 2007-12-05.  "Annual Estimates of the Population". http://www.census.gov/popest/states/asrh/tables/SC-EST2004-03-42.xls. Retrieved 2010-07-31.  "FactFinder: Census 2000 Demographic Profile Highlights". Factfinder.census.gov. http://factfinder.census.gov/servlet/SAFFFactsevent&geoid04000US42&geoContext01000US%7C04000US42&street&county&cityTown&state04000US42&zip&langen&sseon&ActiveGeoDiv&useEV&pctxtfph&pgsl040&submenuIdfactsheet1&dsnameACS2004SAFF&cinbrnull&qrnamenull&regnull%3Anull&keyword&industry. Retrieved 2010-07-31.  American FactFinder United States Census Bureau. "American Community Survey 3-Year Estimates". Factfinder.census.gov. http://factfinder.census.gov/servlet/ADPTablebmy&-contextadp&-qrnameACS20083YRG00DP3YR2&-dsnameACS20083YRG00&-treeid3308&-redoLogfalse&-callergeoselect&-geoid04000US42&-format&-langen. Retrieved 2010-07-31.  The Works of Voltaire volume 19dead link Religious diversity in Pennsylvaniadead link "The Arda". The Arda. http://www.thearda.com/mapsReports/reports/state/422000.asp. Retrieved 2010-07-31.  These statistics are based on 7116348 of the estimated 8448193 religious adherents in Pennsylvania and only the largest of 115 different faiths are reported here. Data excludes most of the historically African-American denominations. Public Law 94-521 prevents the Census Bureau from collecting better data so this information comes from the Association of religion data archives at Penn State.) Terms used to describe organizations are ARDA's and may not be the group's own preferred name. Webb Design Inc.. "Amish Country Ohio Visitor Information". Visitamishcountry.com. http://www.visitamishcountry.com/. Retrieved 2010-07-31.  "Definition of "dutch"". Dictionary.reference.com. http://dictionary.reference.com/searchqdutch&x57&y13. Retrieved 2010-07-31.  a b "Bureau of Economic Analysis". Bea.gov. 2009-06-02. http://www.bea.gov/regional/gsp/. Retrieved 2010-07-31.  Appeals court races wrap up with focus on voter mobilizationdead link a b c "Fortune 500". Money.cnn.com. 2007-04-30. http://money.cnn.com/magazines/fortune/fortune500/2007/states/PA.html. Retrieved 2010-07-31.  "Philadelphia stock exchange". Phlx.com. 2010-07-23. http://www.phlx.com/. Retrieved 2010-07-31. dead link Ramos Stephanie (2002-10-25). "Wal-Mart tops Pa. list of largest private employers". Dailypennsylvanian.com. http://www.dailypennsylvanian.com/node/27453. Retrieved 2010-07-31.  Bls.gov; Local Area Unemployment Statistics Agricultural Census 2002dead link a b "PA Wine facts". Pennsylvania Wine & Wineries. http://www.pennsylvaniawine.com/Facts.aspx.  1dead link Barnes Tom; Rotstein Gary (2009-02-04). "Rendell wants legal video poker". Post-gazette.com. http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/09035/946691-85.stm. Retrieved 2010-07-31.  "Presidential General Election Results Comparison Pennsylvania". Dave Leip's Atlas of United States Presidential Elections. 2005. http://www.uselectionatlas.org/RESULTS/compare.phpyear2008&fips42&f0&off0&elect0&typestate. Retrieved 2007-07-07.  "Voter Registration Statistics Current Voter Registration Statistics" (Microsoft Excel). Pennsylvania Division of Voter Registration. http://www.portal.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt/community/voterregistrationstatistics/12725. Retrieved 2010-07-07.  a b Jenkins Law Library. "23 Pennsylvania Law Weekly 324 (March 27 2000)". Jenkinslaw.org. http://www.jenkinslaw.org/collection/researchguides/publications/ann-constitutions.php. Retrieved 2010-07-31.  State Elected Officialsdead link "Pennsylvania State Archives". Phmc.state.pa.us. http://www.phmc.state.pa.us/BAH/dam/rg/rg7.htm. Retrieved 2010-07-31.  "Pennsylvania Senators". Legis.state.pa.us. http://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/legis/home/memberinformation/senatorsalpha.cfm. Retrieved 2010-07-31.  "Pennsylvania House of Representatives". Legis.state.pa.us. http://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/legis/home/memberinformation/representativesalpha.cfm. Retrieved 2010-07-31.  "Pennsylvania Senate". Legis.state.pa.us. http://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/legis/home/memberinformation/senatebio.cfmdistrictnumber30. Retrieved 2010-07-31.  "David Brightbill". Legis.state.pa.us. http://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/legis/home/memberinformation/senatebio.cfmdistrictnumber48. Retrieved 2010-07-31.  "Robert Mellow". Legis.state.pa.us. http://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/legis/home/memberinformation/senatebio.cfmdistrictnumber22. Retrieved 2010-07-31.  "The Pennsylvania House of Representatives". Legis.state.pa.us. http://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/legis/home/memberinformation/housebio.cfmid67. Retrieved 2010-07-31.  "The Pennsylvania House of Representatives". Legis.state.pa.us. http://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/legis/home/memberinformation/housebio.cfmid61. Retrieved 2010-07-31.  "The Pennsylvania House of Representatives". Legis.state.pa.us. http://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/legis/home/memberinformation/housebio.cfmid0. Retrieved 2010-07-31.  a b c d e f "Judicial districts". Aopc.org. http://www.aopc.org/T/CommonPleas/listofcounties.htm. Retrieved 2010-07-31.  Revenue Department Releases August Collections (09/01/2006) http://www.revenue.state.pa.us/revenue/CWP/view.aspQ261929&A208dead link. Retrieved September 25 2006. "Personal Income Tax". Portal.state.pa.us. http://www.portal.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt/community/personalincometax/11409. Retrieved 2010-07-31.  "Congressional Directory Online". http://frwebgate.access.gpo.gov/cgi-bin/getdoc.cgidbname108congressionaldirectory&docidcdir108txt-39. Retrieved 2010-07-31.  a b c The Pennsylvania Manual p. 6-3. a b c d e f Pennsylvania Manual p. 6-5. The Pennsylvania Manual p. 6-46. "Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Incorporated Places in Pennsylvania" (XLS). Population Estimates. United States Census Bureau. 2010. http://www.census.gov/popest/cities/tables/SUB-EST2009-04-42.xls. Retrieved July 4 2010.  a b The Pennsylvania Manual p. 6-6. The Pennsylvania Manual p. 6-22. Title 302 Pennsylvania Code Section 23.1101. 2 'Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE). Retrieved on 4-12-2009.' 3 'National Center for Education Statistics (NCES). Retrieved on 4-12-2009.' 'NCES.' 4dead link 'Pennsylvania Department of Education: Home Education and Private Tutoring. Retrieved on 4-12-2009.' "History of the School". pafa.org. http://www.pafa.org/School/Overview/History-of-the-School/350/. Retrieved 8 April 2011.  "About University of the Sciences". usciences.edu. http://www.usciences.edu/about/. Retrieved 8 April 2011.  5dead link "Houdini Harry Houdini attractions magic Scranton Poconos Pocono birthday party show seance School Assembly Programs birthday". Houdini.org. http://www.houdini.org. Retrieved 2010-07-31.  a b c d Reilly P. (2007-11-15). "Bear facts favor Pennsylvania State remains home to North Americas biggest black bears". Intelligencer Journal. http://local.lancasteronline.com/4/212407. Retrieved 2007-12-06.  a b "Pennsylvania Department of Transportation Fact Book" p. 7. "2010 Public Transportation Fact Book" p. 8. a b c d "Pennsylvania Department of Transportation Fact Book" p. 10. Waterborne Commerce Statistics Center p. 5-4. Santoni Matthew (2010-09-14). "Corps shuts Highland Park lock for two weeks of repairs". Pittsburgh Tribune-Review (Trib Total Media). http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/business/s699345.html. Retrieved 2010-09-14.  http://graphics.fansonly.com/photos/schools/pitt/sports/m-footbl/autopdf/06guide-pantherhistory.pdf "Recognized National Championships by Team". Cfbdatawarehouse.com. http://www.cfbdatawarehouse.com/data/nationalchampionships/nchampsteam.php. Retrieved 2010-07-31.  "Helms Foundation NCAA Division I Champions". Rauzulusstreet.com. http://www.rauzulusstreet.com/basketball/college/helmscollegechampionship.htm. Retrieved 2010-07-31.  "NCAA Division I Mens Basketball NCAA Division I Champions". Rauzulusstreet.com. http://www.rauzulusstreet.com/basketball/college/collegechampionship.htm. Retrieved 2010-07-31.  "X Games History part 2". Skateboard.about.com. 2010-06-17. http://skateboard.about.com/cs/events/a/XGamesHistory2.htm. Retrieved 2010-07-31.  "Pa. knack for snacks a Farm Show feature Pittsburgh Tribune-Review". Pittsburghlive.com. 2008-01-11. http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/news/cityregion/s546927.html. Retrieved 2010-07-31.  "Company History: Auntie Anne's Pretzels". Auntie Anne's. http://www.auntieannes.com/companyhistory.aspx. Retrieved 2009-02-06.  a b c d e f g h i j State Symbolsdead link a b "State Symbols". 50states.com. 1907-06-13. http://www.50states.com/pennsylv.htm. Retrieved 2010-07-31.  "Slinky history". Poof-slinky.com. 2001-11-04. http://www.poof-slinky.com/Slinky-Museum/Slinky-History/. Retrieved 2010-07-31.  PHMC: State Symbolsdead link "Lowell Tribune March 26 2002". Lowellpl.lib.in.us. http://www.lowellpl.lib.in.us/s2002mar.htm. Retrieved 2010-07-31.  Lancaster rifledead link PHMC: Agriculture in Pennsylvaniadead link The Quaker Provincedead link Bill Samuel. "William Penn Quaker". Quakerinfo.com. http://www.quakerinfo.com/quakpenn.shtml. Retrieved 2010-07-31.  "Frame of Government". Yale.edu. http://www.yale.edu/lawweb/avalon/states/pa04.htm. Retrieved 2010-07-31.  Pennsylvania translates to "Penn's Woods" and was named after the father of William Penn the founder of the colony. Digital History: Persecution of the Quakers The Quaker Province 16811776dead link "The State of Pennsylvania An Introduction the Keystone State from". Netstate.Com. http://www.netstate.com/states/intro/paintro.htm. Retrieved 2010-07-31.  References "2010 Public Transportation Fact Book" (PDF). American Public Transportation Association. April 2010. http://apta.com/resources/statistics/Documents/FactBook/APTA2010FactBook.pdf. Retrieved July 5 2010.  "Pennsylvania Department of Transportation Fact Book". Pennsylvania Department of Transportation. August 2009. http://www.dot.state.pa.us/PennDOT%20Factbook/index.html. Retrieved July 4 2010.  Waterborne Commerce Statistics Center (December 31 2009). "Part 5: National Summaries" (PDF). Waterborne Commerce of the United States. United States Army Corps of Engineers. http://www.ndc.iwr.usace.army.mil/wcsc/pdf/wcusnatl08.pdf. Retrieved July 5 2010.  Trostle Sharon ed (2009). The Pennsylvania Manual. 119. Harrisburg: Pennsylvania Department of General Services. ISBN 0-8182-0334-X.  External links Find more about Pennsylvania on Wikipedia's sister projects: Definitions from Wiktionary Images and media from Commons Learning resources from Wikiversity News stories from Wikinews Quotations from Wikiquote Source texts from Wikisource Textbooks from Wikibooks OpenStreetMap has geographic data related to: Pennsylvania Pennsylvania travel guide from Wikitravel Pennsylvania at the Open Directory Project Gov. 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