PENNSYLVANIA FROM A-Z

"Virtue, Liberty, and Independence

Factsabout Pennsylvania for each letter of the alphabet
Click on highlighted words for more information

A IS FOR AGRICULTURE, AMISH,& ARCHAEOLOGY

• AGRICULTURE is the number one industry in the state and it has one of the largest rural areas in the country. Dairying is the main agricultural product and the only state with a State Beverage - Milk, and it is the second largest producer of ice cream in the country. Pennsylvania is the leading state in the production of mushrooms and potato chips. The Farm Show in Harrisburg is the largest indoor agricultural event in the country. The Rodale Institute researches and promotes organic gardening. Pennsylvania has 4-H Clubs & chapters of Future Farmers of America. The York Fair is the oldest agricultural fair in the country. AG in the Classroom and The National Agriculture Statistic Service provide information about agriculture. The State Soil is Hazelton.

• The Amish way of life largely revolves around working and socializing together as a family and community. The farmlands of the Pennsylvania Dutch Country are among the most productive in the nation. Many of the farmers are the Old Order Amish and Mennonites, also known as the "Plain People".

• October is ARCHAEOLOGY month in Pennsylvania. The state has several archaeology events for kids, families, and schools. The Society for Pennsyvania Archaeology promotes the study of prehistoric and historic Archaeology in the state. The University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology has special program, events, exhibits, and collections.

• Besides the many species of BIRDS which live in Pennsyvania all year, others migrate through or visit during severe northern winters. Birdwatching is popular and Pennsylvania hasmany Birding Hotspots. The state has three endangered species - the American Peregrine Falcon, the Piping Plover, and the Bald Eagle. The National Aviary is located in Pittsburgh and has over 500 residents representing over 200 different species of birds, an "Adopt a Bird" Program, and Education Programs. The State Bird is the ruffed grouse. Presque Isle is actually a small peninsula and has been designated an important bird area.

• The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation maintains the 3rd largest number of State BRIDGES in the country. Pittsburgh is said to have more bridges than any other city in the country. A trio of bridges in Pittsburgh is known as "The Three Sisters Bridges". Many Historic Iron & Steel Truss Bridges are disappearing. Pennsylvania has had 64 Suspension Bridges & some are still used. The State has more covered bridges than any other state, & Washington County has more covered bridges and any other county in the Commonwealth.

• Pennsyvania has several scenic BYWAYS, scenic Drives, & a variety of trails including Horse Trails. Part of the Appalachian Trail goes through Pennsylvania. The state participates in National Trails Day. Birding and Wildlife Trails are being developed. The Department of Transportation has designated 6 cross-state bicycle routes. Pennsylvania has many Roadside Attractions.

• The first CAPITAL of the United States was located in Philadelphia. It was also the first capital of Pennsylvania. The U.S. capital was moved north and named Washington, D.C. after the first president of the U.S. The capital of Pennsylvania was moved to Lancaster and then to Harrisburg. Pennsylvania is called the Snack Food Capital of the World. Indiana County is the Christmas Tree Capital of the world. York County is the Factory Tour Capital of the world.

• Pennsylvania has all means of COMMUNICATION including newspapers, magazines, radio ,television, telephone, and the internet. Pennsylvania has 12 Area Codes. There are many Internet Service Providers and webcams are located throughout the state.

• There are 67 COUNTIES in Pennsylvania. Lycoming is the largest county and Montour is the smallest. Philadelphia County has the largest population and Forest County has the smallest. Philadelphia is one of the oldest cities in the country. The term county is used in 48 of the 50 states for the level of government below the state government.

• Pennsylvania has over 1,000 DAMS and many waterways. The Hydroelectric dams provide about 20% of green electricity. The state has several nuclear power plants & over 200 run-of-the river dams. Pennsylvania has a Dam Safety Program. Two types of Geothermal Power are being used, and Wind Power is being investigated.

• The remains of DINOSAURS have been found in Pennsylvania. Hadrosaurus foulkii, the first nearly complete dinosaur skelton ever found, was discovered in Pennsylvania and is on display at the Academey of Natural Science in Philadelphia.

• Several important DOCUMENTS were written in Pennsylvania including The Constitution of the United States, and Lincoln's Gettysburg Address. The Liberty Bell is in Philadelphia and rang out to summon people to hear the first reading of the Declaration of the Declaration of Independence.

• Pennsylvania is one of the only states to have a State DOG - The Great Dane. The Great Dane Club of Western Pennsylvania rescues and places Great Danes in safe homes.

• Pennslyvania is on fairly steady ground but there have been EARTHQUAKES. The largest earthquake ever recorded in Pennsylvania, known as the Pymatuning Earthquake, occurred in 1998 in the region of Pymatuning Lake in northwestern Pennsylvania.

• Pennsylvania provides free EDUCATION for children from kindergarten through the 12th grade. The state also has many education programs for adults. The Philadelphia Museum of Art has educational resources including art classes for children, summer camp workshops, and family programs. The Bureau of State Parkshas environmental education and teacher workshops. The Jennings Environmental Education Center has educational programs. Information about schools in Pennsylvania is provided by SchoolBug and Great Schools.

• Pennsylvania has many EVENTS during the year including parades, Craft Shows, and Festivals. There are several State and County Fairs. The City of Pittsburgh and Adams County each have an Irish Festival. The state observes Fixed Public Holidays and celebrates many other holidays.

• The State FISH of Pennsylvania is the brook trout. The state has 15 State Fish Hatcheries and 2 National Fish Hatcheries - Allegheny, and Lamar. Fishing is a popular activity,and there are Young Angler Education Programs.

• The State FLAG of Pennsylvania is more square than rectangle. It is blue with the State Coat of Arms in the center. The Governor has a flag, & some cities, boroughs, & counties have a flag. Pennsylvania is represented on the original 13 star United States flag by a star and a stripe.

• Pennsylvania has FOOD Festivals, Shows, and Events. The state has an interesting variety of foods including Sticky Buns - City Chicken - Shoofly pie - Lebanon bologna and Italian wedding soup. Wellknown companies include Hershey's Chocolate and Heinz 57 products. Pennsylvania has a Regional Food Banks Association.

• The state FOSSIL of Pennsylvania is the trilobite a small water animal that lived millions of years ago during the Cambrian Period. Information is available about other fossils found in the state. During the Paleozoic Era, coal forests developed. When the forests died, they were buried, fossilized, and became coal. Pennsylvania is known as Coal Country.

• Pennsylvania has over a dozen GHOST TOWNS. A few have residents and many have old building and cemeteries. Cashtown is totally intact and was the Confederate War headquarters during the Battle of Gettsyburg. Pithole has a Visitors Center. Curtain has an old mill, and a couple of houses including an 1830 plantation house. Alvira has 3 cemetaries, 2 old church foundations, and several house foundations.

• The GLOBAL POSITION of Pennsylvania is approximately longitude 76 degrees West and latitude 40 degrees north. The state is bordered by New York, West Virginia, Maryland, Ohio, Delaware, and New Jersey. The highest point is Mt. Davis and the lowest point is the Delaware River at sea level. NOAA provides information about the topography of Pennsylvania. Geocaching is a high tech adventure game, and Pennsylvania has several geocache sites.

• GROUND HOG DAY is based on an old Scottish saying: "If Candlemas Day is bright and clear, there'll be two winters in the year". A ceremony is held every year on February 2 in Punxsutawny to see if the groundhog sees his shadow. He is named Punxutawny Phil. If he sees his shadow, it means there will be six more weeks of winter. If he does not see his shadow, it means spring will soon arrive. The groundhog is also known as a woodchuck. (This day gets special mention because it is my birthday!)

• The history of Pennsylvania dates back to the Paleo-Indian Period. The Recorded History began in 1492. Pennsylvania participates in National History Day.

• Pennsyvania has many HISTORIC SITES including Valley Forge - The American Revolution, and Gettysburg - The Civil War. The state has many forts. The National Trust helps protect historic places in Pennsylvania. Hundreds of museums with a wide variety of subjects are located throughout the state. The State Museum is in Harrisburg.

• Independence Hall is in Philadelphia and was the meeting place of the Continental Army in 1775. It is sometimes called the birthplace of the United States. It is here that the Constitution of the United States was signed. Philadelphia means "city of brotherly love" in Greek. Independence Hall was the original home of the the Liberty Bell, but it is now located in a separate building that is entirely made of glass.

• Pennsylvania has a variety of INDUSTRIES including agriculture, retail trade, manufacturing, food products, tourism, and electronic equipment. The state leads the country in the production of specialty steel. Pennsylvania Hospital in Philadelphia was the first hospital in the country. Hershey is best known for the Hershey Corporation which has several candy factories in the area. The company offers tours of the factory and operates a theme park called Hershey Park just outside of town. The Chocolate Chip Cookie is the official cookie of the Commonweath. The manufacturer of Crayola crayons is located in Easton and offers tours of their plant. Nearly 100 Trade Shows are held throughout the year.

• Pennsyvania has a wide variety of INSECTS. The Integrated Pest Management program promotes pest management. Some insects cause damage to forest trees. Penn State University sponsors a Bug Camp for Kids, and a "Great Insects Fair". The Frost Entomological Museum at PSU has educational programs and over 700,000 specimens of insects. The Bugmobile is an educational attraction. The state has several species of spiders most of which are non-poisonous.The firefly is the State Insect. Pennsyvania has over 100 species of Butterflies. The Phipps Conservatory has a Butterfly Forest and a Butterfly Day camp for children. Butterflies thrive along the edges of forests, farmlands, and logging roads and hundreds have adapted to living on forest trees.

• JAZZ is popular in Pennsylvania, and Jazz Clubs are located throughout the state. Central Pennsylvania Friends of Jazz is dedicated to preserving jazz and holds a Jazz Festival. Other popular music includes folk music, and gospel music. The National Music Museum is in Pennsylvania. Music Events and Concerts are held during the year throughout the state. Pennsylvania has several Opera companies. The state song is Pennsylvania.

• The JOHNSTOWN FLOOD in southwestern Pennsylvania was the worst peacetime disaster in the history of the country. A memorial was built in memory of those lost. The worst nuclear accident in the country occured at the Three Mile Island power plant near Harrisburg.

• Pennsylvania has KARST areas, caves & caverns. Among the caves are 8 Show Caves. Penn's Cave is the only all-water cavern and wildlife park in the country. Coral Caverns is the only fossilized coral reef know to be in existence. The Karst Waters Institute provides information about karst water systems. There are several types of rock aquifers in Pennsylvania. The National Park Service has a Cave and Karst Program. The National Speleological Society has several chapters in Pennsylvania.

• The nickname of Pennsylvania is The KEYSTONE State. The name came from the central location of the state among the first 13 original states. It was called "The keystone in the federal union" because of the position it played in the economic, social, and political development of the country. The Keystone State Games are modeled after the Olympic games, and is an annual multi-sports competition. State road signs have a white keystone shape on a black square background.

• Pennsylvania has an Activity Page for KIDS. Market Place has educational information for kids.

• Pennsylvania has many LAKES creeks, streams, and a canal. There are 50 natural lakes and over 2,000 manmade lakes.

• Public LIBRARIES and Academic Libraries are located throughout Pennsylvania. The State Library traces its beginning to 1745.

• Pennnsyvania has several LIGHTHOUSES on the shores of Lake Erie, and there is a former lightstation in Chester. The most important aspect of a LIGHTHOUSE is the light that comes from the tower.

• Pennsylvania has several military installations including Willow Grove Naval Air Station, a Special Operations Wing in Harrisburg, and several Army Supply Depots. Carlisle Barracks is an Army War College and Fort Indiantown Gap is a Reserve Training Camp. The Naval Station at Philadelphia provides ship support. The Army Corps of Engineers has many projects in the state. Pennsylvania has an Army National Guard and an Air National Guard.

  Many MINERALS are found in Pennsylvania including copper and amethyst. Calcite, a crystal popular with collectors, is found at the York Stone Quarry. Hillman Hall of Minerals & Gems is located in the Carnegie Museum of Natural History in Pittsburgh. The Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources provides a Geologic Map of the state. The Geological Survey provides information about Pennsylvania and has been mapping and studying resources in the state.

• Pennsylvania has 3 MOUNTAINS and 3 mountain ranges. The Allegheny Mountains in Pennsylvania are part of the Appalachian Mountain chain that extends from Canada to northern Alabama.

• The name Pennsylvania comes from the last name of William Penn to whom King charles II granted the colony in 1681, and the word "sylvan" which is Latin for woods. Officially Pennsylvania is a Commonwealth, not a state, and was one of the 13 original colonies. Pittsburgh has many nicknames including Pittsburgh, Steel City, The 'Burgh, Iron City, The Birmingham of America, Golden Triangle, Three Rivers, and City of Bridges. Pittsburg is home to many Firsts .Many districts, neighborhoods & suburbs in Greater Pittsburgh have names based in whole or in part on Scottish place names, family names or words.

• NATIVE AMERICANS were the first inhabitants of Pennsylvania. Powwows are held during the year throughout the state. Pennsylvania does not have any reservations or federally or state recognized tribes. A Native American Festival is held in Hiller.

• Pennsylvania has both public and private OBSERVATORIES. The Allegheny Observatory is one of the major astronomy research institutions in the world. The University of Pennsyvania Observatory has Public Nights. There are several Astronomy Groups and chapters of the Astronomical League in Pennsylvania. Astronomy Day is celebrated in the spring.

• The OIL industry traces its roots to Titusville where the first oil well was drilled in 1859. An Oil Festival is held there in August. Pittsburgh became the earliest refining center because of its location on the Allegheny River. The original oil boom took place in and around what is now Oil Creek State Park. Drake Well Museum at the north end of the park has a collection of oil field equipment, photographs and other displays of the oil days.

• Pennsylvania has many PARKS including 3 National Parks and over 100 State PARKS. The state also has Amusement Parks, Theme Parks, and Water Parks.

• More than 12 million PEOPLE live in Pennsylvania. Many famous people have called Pennslyvania their home. The Jimmy Stewart Museum is in the city of Indiana. Residents are called Pennsyvanians. Pennsylvania Dutch Country has several Amish and Mennonites who maintain their own traditional religious and social ways.

• The United States Treasury issued a QUARTER for each state according to its entrance into the Union. Pennsylvania became a state in 1787 and a quarter was issued in 1999. The first Bank and the first mint in the country were located in Philadelphia. The Philadelphia Mint still produces all denominations of coins plus a wide variety of commenorative coins and medals. The U.S. Mint has a special Kids Page

• QUILTING is popular in Pennsylvania and there are Quilt Guilds throughout the state. There are also Weaving, spinning, knitting and other fiber groups .

• Take a QUIZ or answer trivia questions about Pennsylvania. Play games, and solve puzzles about the state.

• A variety of REPTILES and amphibians live in Pennsylvania including turtles, lizards, snakes, salamanders, and frogs. Timber rattlesnakes live in the state forests. Pennsylvania is part of the North American Amphibian Monitoring Program.

• Pennsylvania has several major RIVERS and many scenic rivers The Monogahala River joins the Allegheny River at Point State Park to become the Ohio River. The Allegheny and Clarion are designated Wild & Scenic Rivers. Nearly 50 islands are located on rivers. Most of them are on the Susquehanna River in Luzerne County.

• All SPORTS are popular in Pennsylvania, and the state has many local and national sports teams including the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Pittsburgh Pirates. Little League Baseball was founded in Williamsport, and the Little League World Series is played there every year.

• A shield displays the arms of the STATE SEAL of Pennsylvania. The arms were altered many times and officially adopted in 1875.

• The Pennsylvania State TARTAN honors the 42nd Royal Highland Regiment. Pennsylvania celebrates National Tartan Day as Scottish Heritage Day. The Pipes and Drum of the Erepa Grotto has an annual Tartan Ball. During the year there are several Scottish Highland Games and festivals, and many Scottish Events including A Mid-Summer Celtic Festival in King-of_Prussia and an International Celtic Fling and Highland Games in Manheim.

• The Pennsyvania Department of TRANSPORTATION oversees highways, promotes bycycle safety, and has an Adopt-a-Highway Program. It also promotes, preserves, and develops the many airports in the state and has an extensive public transportation system. Specialized License Plates are available. Pennsylvania has many turnpikes and tunnels, and the Pennsylvania Turnpike is the grandfather of the Interstate Highway System. The Federal Highway Administration provides traffic and road closure informaton in the state. Pennsylvania was the first state to put its webpage address on its license plates . To celebrate its 50th bithday in 2002, Matchbox cars issued a car for each state in the order in which it was admitted to the Union and for Pennsylvania it was the Chevy Tahoe Police.

• Pennsyvania has 108 native TREES. The state tree of Pennsylvania is the eastern hemlock. Nearly 60% of the state is covered in forest. The Allegheny National Forest is located in the northwest part of Pennsylvania and is the only national forest in the state. The School of Forest Resource at Penn State has several Educational Centers and Programs.

• Pennsyvania has 14 Public UNIVERSITIES 4 branch campuses, an Environmental Learning Center, a Law School, a College of Medicine, and Technical Colleges. There are also many Independent Universities and Colleges.
  
• Four ships have been named USS Pennsylvania. The 1st ship the USS Pennsylvania 136 was commissione in 1836. The 2nd ship, the USS Pennsylvania (ACR-4), was commission in 1905 and was the lead ship of her class of armored cruiser and was renamed Pittsburgh before serving in World War I. The 3rd ship, the USS Pennsylvania (BB-38), was commissioned in 1916 and was lead ship for her class of Battleships and saw action in WW II. The 4th USS Pennsylvania (SSBN-735) was commissioned in 1989 and is an Ohio-class submarine and the 1st submarine to bear the name of the state. The restored USS BRIG NIAGRA is the Flagship of Pennsylvania and was the flagship of Commodore Olive Perry and decisive in defeating the British at the Battle of Lake Erie.

• Pennsylvania has a wide variety of VEGETATION. The state has over 3,000 kinds of plants including plants named for the state and plants named for Philadelphia. Pennsylvania is part of the USGS-NPS Vegetation Mapping Program. The Nature Conservancy helps preserve the land in Pennsylvania. The Mountain Laurel is the State Flower, and Penngift crownvetch is the state beautification and conservation plant.

• Although there is no evidence of volcanoes in Pennsylvania, the surrounding mountains were created by volcanoes.

• Pennsylvania has many WATERFALLS. Rickettt Glen State Park has 30 waterfalls. Ohiopyle State Park has several waterfalls.

• The WEATHER in Pennsylvania is typical of a temperate zone and has 4 distinct seasons. Summers are warm, and winters can be cool with periods of snowfall. The state has several tornadoes every year. The State Climatologist provides current information about the weather. The Environmental Protection Agency provides information about the effect of global warming in Pennsylvania. NOAA has activities for kids about the weather.

• Pennsylvania has a variety of WILDLIFE and 2 National Wildlife Refuges including John Heinz At Tinicum and Erie which is the only refuge in the country protecting endangered Northern riffleshell and clubshell mussels. Pennsylvania participates in the Wildlife Protection Program. The White-tailed Deer is the state mammal. The state has many endangered species including the Indiana bat and the bog turtle.

• XMAS is the abbreviation for Christmas which is celebrated in Pennsylvania much as it is in the rest of the country and around the world. Pennsylvania is one of the top producers of Xmas trees in the country and provided the White House Christmas tree in 1981, 1989, 2000, 2001, & 2006. Bethlehem, Pennsylvania is called The Christmas City, and each year there is a reenactment of Washington crossing the Delaware. The National Christmas Center is located in the town of Paradise.

• The YMCA is active Pennsylvania, and organizations are located throughout the state. Pennsylvania has more YMCA Associations than any other state.The State YMCA Youth & Government Program brings the workings of state government alive to students.

• Pennsylvania has a number of Youth Hostels. The state also has Elder Hostels.

• The use of postal ZIP CODES began in 1963. The zip codes in Pennsylvania all start with either 15, 16, 17, 18, or 19. The postal code is PA.

• Pennsylvania is in the Eastern Time Zone, and in the USDA gardening zones 4-7.

• The Philadelphia Zoo was the first zoo established in the country. Pittsburgh Zoo and Aquarium is one of only 6 zoos in the country to have a major aquarium. Reptileland is located between Williamsport and Lewisburg and has more than 40 species of reptiles.