Pennsylvania Maps & Facts (2024)

Pennsylvania Maps & Facts (1)

Pennsylvania is in the Mid-Atlantic and Northeastern regions of the United States. It borders Delaware, Maryland, West Virginia, Ohio, New Jersey, and New York. Pennsylvania covers an area of 46,055 square miles. It is the 33rd largest state in the U.S. Pennsylvania is almost totally covered by mountains and a series of rolling hills, plateaus, and ridges punctuated by valleys. Forests cover about 50% of the state's land area, and the only lowlands (Atlantic Coastal Plains) are in the extreme southeastern corner of the state.

Pennsylvania comprises several distinct geographic regions, including the Piedmont region in the east; Appalachian Plateau and Ridge-and-Valley Appalachians in central and western Pennsylvania; Allegheny Plateau in southwestern Pennsylvania; and Great Lakes Lowland in northwestern Pennsylvania.

The Appalachian Mountains slice through the center of Pennsylvania. The Allegheny and Pocono Mountains form the state's most significant subranges. Situated in the southern part of the state, on a ridge of the Allegheny and Appalachian Mountains, is Mount Davis – the state's highest point, which rises to an elevation of 3,213ft. The Blue Mountain, located to the east of the Pocono Mountain, comprises a 150-mile-long ridge, which forms a part of the eastern edge of the Appalachian Mountain range.

The Delaware Water Gap, on the border of Pennsylvania and New Jersey, was formed as the Delaware River carved a deep path through a ridge of the Appalachian Mountains on its way to the sea. The state's lowest point is at sea level in the Delaware River.

The Susquehanna River flows through Pennsylvania's heartland, while many other rivers connect the state to its surrounding states. Additionally, the Ohio River runs along 140 miles of Pennsylvania's border with West Virginia and Ohio. Pennsylvania also has several large lakes, including Lake Erie in its northern corner and Lake Wallenpaupack in its northeastern part. Most of central Pennsylvania has temperate woodlands, with evergreen forests prevalent in higher elevations. The eastern region of Pennsylvania consists primarily of farmland ideal for agricultural production due to its fertile soil.

The majority of Pennsylvania lies in the humid continental climate zone with cold winters, warm summers, and varying amounts of precipitation throughout the year. Pennsylvanian summers typically range from mild to hot during the day, while winter temperatures average below freezing throughout most of the state. Average annual precipitation ranges from 36 inches near Lake Erie to 40 inches near Philadelphia.

Counties Map

Pennsylvania Maps & Facts (2)

The State of Pennsylvania is divided into 67 counties. In alphabetical order, these counties are: Adams, Allegheny, Armstrong, Beaver, Bedford, Berks, Blair, Bradford, Bucks, Butler, Cambria, Cameron, Carbon, Centre, Chester, Clarion, Clearfield, Clinton, Columbia, Crawford, Cumberland, Dauphin, Delaware, Elk, Erie, Fayette, Forest, Franklin, Fulton, Greene, Huntingdon, Indiana, Jefferson, Juniata, Lackawanna, Lancaster, Lawrence, Lebanon, Lehigh, Luzerne, Lycoming, McKean, Mercer, Mifflin, Monroe, Montgomery, Montour, Northampton, Northumberland, Perry, Philadelphia, Pike, Potter, Schuylkill, Snyder, Somerset, Sullivan, Susquehanna, Tioga, Union, Venango, Warren, Washington, Wayne, Westmoreland, Wyoming, and York.

With an area of 119,283 sq. km, Pennsylvania is the 33rd largest and the 5th most populous state in the USA. Located on the eastern banks of the Susquehanna River at the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains is Harrisburg – the capital and the 13th largest city in Pennsylvania. Government services, industrial development, transportation hub, and manufacture of electrical devices have contributed to the economic growth of the capital city. Situated in the southeastern part of the state, at the confluence of Schuylkill and Delaware Rivers is Philadelphia – the largest and the most populous city in Pennsylvania. It serves as the chief cultural and economic hub in the Delaware Valley. Philadelphia is also the principal industrial, transportation, educational, and economic center of the state. The city is also a major tourist destination and a home to many firsts in the US.

Where is Pennsylvania?

Pennsylvania Maps & Facts (3)

The State of Pennsylvania is located in the Middle Atlantic region of the United States. Pennsylvania is bordered by the state of New York in the north; by Delaware in the southeast; by Maryland in the south; by West Virginia in the southwest; by Ohio in the west and by New Jersey and Delaware River in the east. It is also bordered by Lake Erie and the Canadian province of Ontario in the northwest.

Regional Maps: Map of North America

Outline Map of Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania Maps & Facts (4)
Pennsylvania Maps & Facts (5)

See also:

Key Facts

Legal Name State of Pennsylvania
ISO 3166 Code US-PA
Capital City Harrisburg
Major Cities
  1. Philadelphia (5,785,338)
  2. Pittsburgh (1,701,750)
  3. Allentown-Bethlehem (784,980)
  4. Harrisburg (564,763)
  5. Lancaster (519,489)
  6. Scranton (375,035)

This page was last updated on March 15, 2023

Pennsylvania Maps & Facts (2024)

FAQs

What is 1 thing Pennsylvania is known for? ›

More things Pennsylvania is known for

Independence Hall: Located in Philadelphia, Independence Hall is where the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution were debated and adopted. It's a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a symbol of American democracy.

What are some old facts about Pennsylvania? ›

In 1681, William Penn, a Quaker, established a colony based on religious tolerance; it was settled by many Quakers along with its Philadelphia, its largest city, which was also the first planned city. In the mid-1700s, the colony attracted many German and Scots-Irish immigrants.

What three characteristics is Pennsylvania most known for? ›

Established as a haven for religious and political tolerance, the colonial-era Province of Pennsylvania was known for its relatively peaceful relations with native tribes, innovative government system, and religious pluralism.

What was Pennsylvania originally called? ›

Penn named the territory New Wales. A Welsh member of England? s Privy Council objected, so Penn called it Sylvania (woods). The king changed the name to Pennsylvania, in honor of the admiral.

Why is Pennsylvania so famous? ›

Tourists are drawn to Pennsylvania by its monuments to America's revolutionary history, including Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell. Famous Pennsylvanians include patriot and inventor Benjamin Franklin, frontiersman Daniel Boone, painter Mary Cassatt and inventor Robert Fulton.

What is Pennsylvania's largest city? ›

Philadelphia, colloquially referred to as Philly, is the most populous city in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania and the sixth-most populous city in the United States, with a population of 1,603,797 in the 2020 census.

What is the nickname for Pennsylvania and why? ›

Besides its central location among the first 13 states, its vital role in leading and supporting democratic reforms ensured Pennsylvania its nickname the Keystone State. In architecture “keystone” is a central wedge of an arch which holds all the arch pieces together.

What is the oldest town in Pennsylvania? ›

Chester is the oldest City in Pennsylvania. In 1681, William Penn acquired the colonial settlement as a safe haven for Quakers. One year later he landed on the ship Welcome and renamed the settlement Chester, after the city in England.

Why is Pennsylvania special? ›

We are the most economically diverse state in the country. Our $915 billion GDP makes us the sixth largest economy in the U.S. and a leading global economic hub.

What is Pennsylvania's motto? ›

Pennsylvania's state motto is "Virtue, Liberty, and Independence."

What is a fun fact about Pennsylvania? ›

The Chocolate Capital of the US is Hershey, Pa. The first computer existed in Philadelphia in 1946. The first piano in America was built in Philadelphia in 1775. The Declaration of Independence was signed in Philadelphia in 1776.

What is the most famous thing in Pennsylvania? ›

Philly is one of America's most notable historical destinations thanks to top sights like the Liberty Bell (which abolitionists, women's suffrage supporters and other groups have used in their causes as a symbol of liberty) and Independence Hall (where the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution were debated ...

What are people from Pennsylvania called? ›

If you live in Pennsylvania, you might be a Pennamite or a Pennsylvanian. William Penn inspired this state's name. Pennsylvania means "Penn's Woods."

What is a fact about Pennsylvania for kids? ›

Pennsylvania is a northeastern state and, as one of the original 13 colonies, it played a key role in the United States gaining its independence from England. In fact, the declaration of independence was signed here, and it's nicknamed the Keystone State because of its important position among the colonies.

What is Pennsylvania's nickname facts? ›

Besides its central location among the first 13 states, its vital role in leading and supporting democratic reforms ensured Pennsylvania its nickname the Keystone State.

What are some facts about Pennsylvania in 1776? ›

By 1776, the Province of Pennsylvania had become the third largest English colony in America, though next to the last to be founded. Philadelphia had become the largest English-speaking city in the world next to London.

What made Pennsylvania unique? ›

Pennsylvania treated American Indians with justice even as the settlers moved west and established prosperous small farms. The colony became a model of religious liberty and justice in British North America.

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