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			HOLA MI AMIGO!
	{{pp-semi-vandalism\|small=yes}}
	{{Otheruses1\|the U.S. state}}
	{{US state \|
	Name = Pennsylvania\|
	Fullname = Commonwealth of Pennsylvania\|
	Flag = Flag of Pennsylvania.svg \|
	Flaglink = ] \|
	Seal = Pennsylvania state seal.png \|
	Map = Map_of_USA_PA.svg \|
	Nickname = Keystone State, Quaker State,<br/>Coal State, Oil State, State of Independence \|
	Motto = Virtue, Liberty and Independence\|
	Capital = ] \|
	LargestCity = ] \|
	LargestMetro = ] \|
	Demonym = Pennsylvanian \|
	Governor = ] (D)\|
	Lieutenant Governor = ] (D) \|
	Senators = ] (R)<br/>] (D) \|
	Date of statehood: December 12, 1787 \|
	PostalAbbreviation = PA \|
	TradAbbreviation = Penna. \|
	State Motto = ], ], and ] \|
	State Song = ''Pennsylvania'' \|
	PopRank = 6<sup>th</sup> \|
	2000Pop = 12,281,054 \|
	DensityRank = 10<sup>th</sup> \|
	2000DensityUS = 274.02 \|
	2000Density = 105.80 \|
	AreaRank = 33<sup>rd</sup> \|
	TotalAreaUS = 46,055 \|
	TotalArea = 119,283 \|
	LandAreaUS = 44,816\|
	LandArea = 116,074 \|
	WaterAreaUS = 1,239 \|
	WaterArea = 3,208 \|
	PCWater = 2.7 \|
	AdmittanceOrder = 2<sup>nd</sup> \|
	AdmittanceDate = ] ] \|
	TimeZone = ]: ]-5/] \|
	Longitude = 74°41′ W to 80°31′ W \|
	Latitude = 39°43′ N to 42°16′ N \|
	WidthUS = 280 \|
	Width = 455 \|
	LengthUS = 160 \|
	Length = 255 \|
	HighestPoint = ]<ref name=usgs>{{cite web\| year =] ] \| url =http://erg.usgs.gov/isb/pubs/booklets/elvadist/elvadist.html#Highest\| title =Elevations and Distances in the United States\| publisher =U.S Geological Survey\| accessdate = 2006-11-07}}</ref> \|
	HighestElevUS = 3,213 \|
	HighestElev = 979 \|
	MeanElevUS = 1,099 \|
	MeanElev = 335 \|
	LowestPoint = ]<ref name=usgs/> \|
	LowestElevUS = 0 \|
	LowestElev = 0 \|
	ISOCode = US-PA \|
	Website = www.pa.gov
	}}
	The '''Commonwealth of Pennsylvania''' ({{IPAEng\|ˌpɛnsəlˈveɪnjə}}), often colloquially referred to as '''PA''' (its abbreviation) by natives and Northeasterners, is a ] located in the ] and ] regions of the ].

	Pennsylvania has been known as the ] ''State'' since 1802,<ref name=symbols></ref> based in part upon its central location among the original ] forming the United States.<ref name=symbols /> It was also a keystone state ''economically'', having both the industry common to the ], making such wares as ]<ref></ref> and ],<ref></ref> and the agriculture common to the ], producing feed, fiber, food, and ].<ref></ref>

	Another one of Pennsylvania's nicknames is the ] ''State''; in colonial times, it was known officially as the '']'',<ref></ref> in recognition of Quaker<ref></ref> ]'s '']''<ref></ref> ] for Pennsylvania that guaranteed ] of ]. He knew of the hostility<ref> Pennsylvania translates to "Penn's Woods" and was named after the father of William Penn, the founder of the colony. </ref> Quakers faced when they opposed religious ritual, taking oaths, violence, war and military service, and what they viewed as ostentatious ].<ref></ref>

	Pennsylvania has {{convert\|51\|mi\|km\|0}}<ref></ref> of coastline along ] and {{convert\|57\|mi\|km\|0}}<ref></ref> of shoreline along the Delaware Estuary. ] is Pennsylvania's largest city and is home to a major seaport and shipyards on the ].<ref>{{cite web \|url=http://www.philaport.com/history.htm \|title=Philadelphia Regional Port Authority: History \|accessdate=2006-12-11}}</ref>

	== Geography ==
	{{see\|Geography of Pennsylvania}}
	{{see\|List of Pennsylvania counties}}
	]
	Pennsylvania is {{convert\|170\|mi\|km\|0}} north to south and {{convert\|283\|mi\|km\|0}} east to west.<ref name=pageo></ref> Of a total {{convert\|46055\|sqmi\|sqkm\|0}}, {{convert\|44817\|sqmi\|sqkm\|0}} are land, {{convert\|490\|sqmi\|sqkm\|0}} are inland waters and {{convert\|749\|sqmi\|sqkm\|0}} are waters in Lake Erie.<ref name=statabs></ref> It is the ] in the ].<ref name=statabs /> The highest point of {{convert\|3213\|ft\|m\|0}} above ] is at ], which was named for its owner, John Davis, a schoolteacher who fought for the ] at the ]. The lowest point is at ] on the Delaware River, and the approximate ] elevation is {{convert\|1100\|ft\|m\|0}}.<ref></ref> Pennsylvania is in the ] ].<ref></ref>

	]

	Pennsylvania borders six other states: ] to the north; ] to the east; ] and ] southeast; ] southwest, and finally ] to the west.

	The original southern boundary of Pennsylvania was supposed to be at 40° North latitude,<ref></ref> but as a result of a bad faith compromise by ] during ], the king's courts moved the boundary {{convert\|20\|mi\|km\|0}} south<ref name=cecil></ref> to 39° 43' N.<ref name=pageo /> The city of Philadelphia, at 40°0'N 75°8'W,<ref></ref> would have been split in half by the original boundary. While he was a captive, ], a Marylander, was paraded through Philadelphia. He taunted the officers by announcing that Philadelphia was one of the prettiest towns in Maryland.<ref name=cecil/>
	<div style="clear:both;"></div>

	==Climate==
	{{Main article\|Climate of Pennsylvania}}
	Pennsylvania's diverse geography also produces a variety of climates. Straddling two major zones, the southeastern corner of the state has the warmest climate. Greater ] lies at the southernmost tip of the ] zone, with some characteristics of the ] that lies in ] and ] 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 ], can receive over {{convert\|100\|in\|cm}} of snowfall annually, and the entire state receives plentiful rainfall throughout the year.

	{\| class="wikitable" "text-align:center;font-size:90%;"\|
	\| colspan="13" style="text-align:center;font-size:120%;background:#E8EAFA;"\|Monthly Normal High and Low Temperatures For Various Pennsylvania Cities
	\|-
	! style="background: #E5AFAA; color: #000000" height="17" \| City
	! style="background: #E5AFAA; color:#000000;" \| Jan
	! style="background: #E5AFAA; color:#000000;" \| Feb
	! style="background: #E5AFAA; color:#000000;" \| Mar
	! style="background: #E5AFAA; color:#000000;" \| Apr
	! style="background: #E5AFAA; color:#000000;" \| May
	! style="background: #E5AFAA; color:#000000;" \| Jun
	! style="background: #E5AFAA; color:#000000;" \| Jul
	! style="background: #E5AFAA; color:#000000;" \| Aug
	! style="background: #E5AFAA; color:#000000;" \| Sep
	! style="background: #E5AFAA; color:#000000;" \| Oct
	! style="background: #E5AFAA; color:#000000;" \| Nov
	! style="background: #E5AFAA; color:#000000;" \| Dec
	\|-
	! style="background: #F8F3CA; color:#000000;" height="16;" \| Scranton
	\| style="text-align:center; background: #F8F3CA; color:#000000;" \| 34/18
	\| style="text-align:center; background: #F8F3CA; color:#000000;" \| 37/20
	\| style="text-align:center; background: #F8F3CA; color:#000000;" \| 47/28
	\| style="text-align:center; background: #F8F3CA; color:#000000;" \| 59/38
	\| style="text-align:center; background: #F8F3CA; color:#000000;" \| 71/48
	\| style="text-align:center; background: #F8F3CA; color:#000000;" \| 78/57
	\| style="text-align:center; background: #F8F3CA; color:#000000;" \| 83/61
	\| style="text-align:center; background: #F8F3CA; color:#000000;" \| 81/60
	\| style="text-align:center; background: #F8F3CA; color:#000000;" \| 72/53
	\| style="text-align:center; background: #F8F3CA; color:#000000;" \| 61/42
	\| style="text-align:center; background: #F8F3CA; color:#000000;" \| 49/34
	\| style="text-align:center; background: #F8F3CA; color:#000000;" \| 39/24
	\|-
	! style="background: #F8F3CA; color:#000000;" height="16;" \| Erie
	\| style="text-align:center; background: #F8F3CA; color:#000000;" \| 33/20
	\| style="text-align:center; background: #F8F3CA; color:#000000;" \| 36/21
	\| style="text-align:center; background: #F8F3CA; color:#000000;" \| 45/28
	\| style="text-align:center; background: #F8F3CA; color:#000000;" \| 56/38
	\| style="text-align:center; background: #F8F3CA; color:#000000;" \| 67/49
	\| style="text-align:center; background: #F8F3CA; color:#000000;" \| 76/59
	\| style="text-align:center; background: #F8F3CA; color:#000000;" \| 80/64
	\| style="text-align:center; background: #F8F3CA; color:#000000;" \| 79/63
	\| style="text-align:center; background: #F8F3CA; color:#000000;" \| 72/56
	\| style="text-align:center; background: #F8F3CA; color:#000000;" \| 61/46
	\| style="text-align:center; background: #F8F3CA; color:#000000;" \| 49/36
	\| style="text-align:center; background: #F8F3CA; color:#000000;" \| 39/27
	\|-
	! style="background: #F8F3CA;; color:#000000;" height="16;" \| Pittsburgh
	\| style="text-align:center; background: #F8F3CA; color:#000000;" \| 37/20
	\| style="text-align:center; background: #F8F3CA; color:#000000;" \| 39/21
	\| style="text-align:center; background: #F8F3CA; color:#000000;" \| 50/29
	\| style="text-align:center; background: #F8F3CA; color:#000000;" \| 62/38
	\| style="text-align:center; background: #F8F3CA; color:#000000;" \| 71/48
	\| style="text-align:center; background: #F8F3CA; color:#000000;" \| 80/56
	\| style="text-align:center; background: #F8F3CA; color:#000000;" \| 85/62
	\| style="text-align:center; background: #F8F3CA; color:#000000;" \| 83/60
	\| style="text-align:center; background: #F8F3CA; color:#000000;" \| 76/53
	\| style="text-align:center; background: #F8F3CA; color:#000000;" \| 64/41
	\| style="text-align:center; background: #F8F3CA; color:#000000;" \| 53/33
	\| style="text-align:center; background: #F8F3CA; color:#000000;" \| 42/25
	\|-
	! style="background: #F8F3CA; color:#000000;" height="16;" \| Harrisburg
	\| style="text-align:center; background: #F8F3CA; color:#000000;" \| 38/23
	\| style="text-align:center; background: #F8F3CA; color:#000000;" \| 41/25
	\| style="text-align:center; background: #F8F3CA; color:#000000;" \| 51/33
	\| style="text-align:center; background: #F8F3CA; color:#000000;" \| 63/42
	\| style="text-align:center; background: #F8F3CA; color:#000000;" \| 73/51
	\| style="text-align:center; background: #F8F3CA; color:#000000;" \| 81/61
	\| style="text-align:center; background: #F8F3CA; color:#000000;" \| 86/66
	\| style="text-align:center; background: #F8F3CA; color:#000000;" \| 84/64
	\| style="text-align:center; background: #F8F3CA; color:#000000;" \| 76/57
	\| style="text-align:center; background: #F8F3CA; color:#000000;" \| 64/45
	\| style="text-align:center; background: #F8F3CA; color:#000000;" \| 53/36
	\| style="text-align:center; background: #F8F3CA; color:#000000;" \| 42/28
	\|-
	! style="background: #F8F3CA; color:#000000;" height="16;" \| Philadelphia
	\| style="text-align:center; background: #F8F3CA; color:#000000;" \| 39/25
	\| style="text-align:center; background: #F8F3CA; color:#000000;" \| 42/28
	\| style="text-align:center; background: #F8F3CA; color:#000000;" \| 51/35
	\| style="text-align:center; background: #F8F3CA; color:#000000;" \| 62/44
	\| style="text-align:center; background: #F8F3CA; color:#000000;" \| 72/55
	\| style="text-align:center; background: #F8F3CA; color:#000000;" \| 81/64
	\| style="text-align:center; background: #F8F3CA; color:#000000;" \| 86/70
	\| style="text-align:center; background: #F8F3CA; color:#000000;" \| 84/69
	\| style="text-align:center; background: #F8F3CA; color:#000000;" \| 77/61
	\| style="text-align:center; background: #F8F3CA; color:#000000;" \| 66/49
	\| style="text-align:center; background: #F8F3CA; color:#000000;" \| 55/40
	\| style="text-align:center; background: #F8F3CA; color:#000000;" \| 44/31
	\|-
	\| colspan="13" style="text-align:center;font-size:90%;background:#E8EAFA;"\|''{{Fact\|date=January 2008}}''
	\|}
	{{clear}}

	== History ==<!-- This section is linked from ] -->
	{{main\|History of Pennsylvania}}

	Before the Commonwealth was settled, the area was home to the ] (also known as Lenni Lenape), ], ], ], ], and other ] tribes.<ref></ref>

	]]]

	In 1681, ] granted a land charter<ref></ref> to ], to repay a debt of £20,000 ($20,000,000 in today’s money) owed to William's father, ] ]. This was one of the largest land grants to an individual in history.<ref name=quapoly></ref> It was called Pennsylvania, meaning "Penn's Woods", in honor of Admiral Penn.

	Penn established a government with two innovations that were much copied in the New World: the county commission, and freedom of religious conviction.<ref name=quapoly />

	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 ]. 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. ] had a hand in creating this currency, of which he said its utility was never to be disputed, and it also received the high praise of ].{{Fact\|date=May 2007}}

	After the ] of 1765, Delegate ] of ] wrote the ''Declaration of Rights and Grievances''. The Congress was the first meeting of the ], called at the request of the ] Assembly, but only nine colonies sent delegates.<ref></ref> Dickinson then wrote ''Letters from a Farmer in Pennsylvania, To the Inhabitants of the British Colonies'', which were published in the Pennsylvania Chronicle between ], ], and ], ].<ref></ref>

	When the ] were to convene in Philadelphia in 1774, 12 colonies sent representatives to the ].<ref></ref> The First Continental Congress drew up and signed the ] in Philadelphia,<ref></ref> but when that city was captured by the British, the Continental Congress escaped westward, meeting at the ] courthouse on Saturday, ], ], and then to ]. There they drew up the ] that formed 13 independent colonies into a new nation. Later, the ] was written, and Philadelphia was once again chosen to be cradle to the new American Nation.<ref></ref>

	Pennsylvania became the second state to ratify the ] on ], ],<ref></ref> five days after ] became the first.

	]

	] of ] was the first college founded in the United States. Established in 1773, the college was ratified five days after the ] on ], ]. The school was founded by ] and named after John Dickinson.

	For half a century, the Commonwealth's legislature met at various places in the general Philadelphia area before starting to meet regularly in Independence Hall in Philadelphia for 63 years.<ref name=legiscap></ref> But it needed a more central location, as for example the ] massacres of 1763 had made them aware. So, in 1799 the legislature moved to the ] Courthouse,<ref name=legiscap/> and finally in 1812 to ].<ref name=legiscap /> The legislature met in the old ] Court House until December 1821,<ref name=legiscap/> when the ''Redbrick Capitol'' was finished. It burned down in 1897, presumably due to a faulty ].<ref name=legiscap/> The legislature met at Grace Methodist Church on State Street (still standing), until the present capitol was finished in 1907.<ref name=legiscap/>

	The ] drew rave reviews.<ref name=legiscap/> Its dome was inspired by the domes of ] in ] and the United States Capitol.<ref name=legiscap/> ] ] called it the "the most beautiful state Capitol in the nation", and said "It's the handsomest building I ever saw" at the dedication. In 1989, the '']'' 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".<ref name=legiscap/>

	Pennsylvania accounts for 9% of all wooded areas in the United States.

	], of ], was the only bachelor ].<ref name="jimbo"></ref> The ] — the major turning point of the Civil War — took place near ].<ref></ref> An estimated 350,000 Pennsylvanians served in the ] forces along with 8,600 ] ]s.<ref name=PAFacts2003/>

	Pennsylvania was also the home of the first commercially drilled oil well. In 1859, near ], Edwin L. Drake successfully drilled the well, which led to the first major oil boom in United States history.

	{{See also\|List of Pennsylvania firsts \| List of people from Pennsylvania}}

	== Demographics ==
	{{see\|List of people from Pennsylvania}}
	{{US Demographics\|state=Pennsylvania}}

	The ] of Pennsylvania is located in ], in the borough of ] .

	As of 2006, Pennsylvania has an estimated population of 12,440,621, which is an increase of 35,273 from the previous year, and an increase of 159,567 since the year 2000. Net ] from other states resulted in a decrease of 27,718, and ] from other countries resulted in an increase of 126,007. Net migration to the Commonwealth was 98,289. Migration of native Pennsylvanians resulted in a decrease of 100,000 people. In 2006, 5.00% of Pennsylvanians were foreign born (621,480 people).<ref></ref> The state has an estimated 2005 poverty rate of 11.9%.<ref name=PAFacts /> The state also has the 3rd highest proportion of ] (65+) citizens in 2005.<ref name=PAFacts />

	Foreign-born Pennsylvanians are largely from ] (36.0%), ] (35.9%), ] (30.6%), 5% coming from ], 3.1% coming from ], and 0.4% coming from Oceania.

	]
	Pennsylvania's reported population of Hispanics, especially among the Asian, Hawaiian and White races, has markedly increased in recent years.<ref name=annest></ref> It is not clear how much of this change reflects a changing population, and how much reflects increased willingness to self-identify minority status.

	{{USCensusPop
	\|1790 = 434373
	\|1800 = 602365
	\|1810 = 810091
	\|1820 = 1049458
	\|1830 = 1348233
	\|1840 = 1724033
	\|1850 = 2311786
	\|1860 = 2906215
	\|1870 = 3521951
	\|1880 = 4282891
	\|1890 = 5258113
	\|1900 = 6302115
	\|1910 = 7665111
	\|1920 = 8720017
	\|1930 = 9631350
	\|1940 = 9900180
	\|1950 = 10498012
	\|1960 = 11319366
	\|1970 = 11793909
	\|1980 = 11863895
	\|1990 = 11881643
	\|2000 = 12281054
	}}

	Pennsylvania's population was reported as 5.9% under 5 and 23.8% under 18, with 15.6% were 65 or older. Females made up 51.7% of the population.<ref name="censusPA"></ref>

	The five largest ancestry groups self-reported in Pennsylvania are: ] (27.66%), ] (17.66%), ] (12.82%), ] (8.89%) and ] (7.23%).<ref></ref>

	=== Religion ===
	{{cquote\|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 ill–treat no person on account of religion, and to consider as brethren all those who believe in one God. - ], speaking of ]<ref></ref>}}

	Of all the colonies, only in ] was religious freedom as secure as in Pennsylvania - and one result was an incredible religious ], one which continues to this day.<ref></ref>

	Pennsylvania's population in 2000 was 12,281,054. Of these, 8,448,193 were estimated to belong to some sort of organized religion. According to the ] at ], reliable data exists for 7,116,348 religious adherents in Pennsylvania in 2000, following 115 different faiths.<ref name=arda></ref> Their affiliations, including percentage of all adherents, were:<ref>These statistics are based on 7,116,348 of the estimated 8,448,193 religious adherents in Pennsylvania,<!--ref name=arda /--> 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 ] at ].) Terms used to describe organizations are ARDA's, and may not be the group's own preferred name.</ref>
	* ]: 3,802,524 (53.43%)
	* ]: 75,354 (1.06%)
	* ]: 2,140,682 (30%)
	** ]: 659,350 (9.27%)
	** ]: 611,913 (8.60%)
	** ]: 324,714 (4.56%)
	** ]: 241,844 (3.40%)
	** ]: 132,858 (1.87%)
	** ]: 116,511 (1.64%)
	* ]: 704,204 (10%)
	** ]: 84,153 (1.18%)
	** ]: 52,684 (0.74%)
	** ]: 48,215 (0.68%)
	** ]: 45,926 (0.65%)
	** ]: 44,432 (0.62%)
	** Independent Non-charismatic churches: 42,992 (0.60%)
	* Other theology: 393,584 (5.53%)
	** ]: 283,000 (3.98%)
	** ]: 71,190 (1.00%)
	** ]: 6,778 (0.10%)
	** ]: 31,032 (0.44%)

	Pennsylvania is also noted for having the highest concentration of an ] population in the United States.<ref></ref>

	While Pennsylvania owes its existence to ] and many of the older trappings of the Commonwealth are rooted in the teachings of the ] (as they are officially known), practicing Quakers are a small minority today.

	== Economy ==
	{{see\|List of people from Pennsylvania}}
	]]]
	Pennsylvania's 2006 total ] (GSP) of $510.31 billion<ref name=beaxls></ref> ranks the state 6<sup>th</sup> in the nation. If Pennsylvania were an independent country, its economy would rank as the 17<sup>th</sup> largest in the world, ahead of ] and behind the ]. On a per-capita basis, Pennsylvania's per-capita GSP of $34,619 ranks 26<sup>th</sup> among the 50 states.<ref name=beaxls />
	]'s closed manufacturing facility in ]. This site will become the site of the new multi-million dollar ] ] in 2007.]]
	Philadelphia in the southeast corner and Pittsburgh in the southwest corner are urban manufacturing centers, with the "t-shaped" remainder of the Commonwealth being much more rural; this dichotomy affects state politics as well as the state economy.<ref></ref> Philadelphia is home to eight Fortune 500 companies,<ref name=F500></ref> with more located in suburbs like ]; it's a leader in the financial<ref></ref> and insurance industry.<ref></ref> Pittsburgh is home to seven Fortune 500 companies, including ], ], ], and ].<ref name=F500 /> In all, Pennsylvania is home to fifty ] companies.<ref name=F500>

	As in the US as a whole and in most states, largest private employer in the Commonwealth is ], followed by the ], ] and ] (called ] in other states). The largest manufacturing employer is ].<ref></ref>

	=== Manufacturing ===
	Pennsylvania's factories and workshops manufacture 16.1% of the Gross State Product (GSP); only 10 states are more industrialized.<ref name=gsp2></ref> While ]al Services is only 1.8% of the Commonwealth's GSP, that's twice the national average; only ], ] and ] outrank Pennsylvania.<ref name=gsp2 /> Although Pennsylvania is known as a ] state, ] only amounts to 0.6% of the Commonwealth's economy, compared to 1.3% for the country as a whole.<ref name=gsp2 />
	].]]

	=== Agriculture ===
	Pennsylvania ranks 19<sup>th</sup> overall in agricultural production,<ref name=ag></ref> but 1<sup>st</sup> in ], 3<sup>rd</sup> in ]s and ], 4<sup>th</sup> in ] and ], ], ] for ], ] grown (including ]),<ref name=PAwine>{{cite web \| url = http://www.pennsylvaniawine.com/facts/index.asp\| title = PA Wine facts\| \| publisher = Pennsylvania Wine & Wineries\| date = 2003 \| accessdate = 2007-12-06}}</ref> and ] production. It is also 8<sup>th</sup> in the nation for ], has the two highest ] east of the ] and was home to the nation's first commercial grapevine ] in ].<ref name=PAwine/> Only about 9,600 of the Commonwealth's 58,000 farmers have sales of $100,000 or more, and with production expenses equaling 84.9% of sales, most not only have a net farming income below the $19,806 that marks poverty for a family of four,<ref></ref> but are liable for a 12.4% self-employment tax as well.<ref></ref> The average farmer is 53 and getting older,<ref></ref> as young Pennsylvanians find low farming income a tough row to hoe.<ref></ref>

	Many farms in the southeastern part of the Commonwealth have been sold to housing developers in the past years. This is largely due to rising taxes and land prices, reflecting high demand for land in the nation's fifth largest metropolitan area. Bucks and Montgomery counties were the first to suburbanize, but this trend is now extending to Chester, Lancaster, Berks, and Lehigh counties.<ref name=PAwine>{{cite web \| url = http://www.pennsylvaniawine.com/facts/index.asp\| title = PA Wine facts\| \| publisher = Pennsylvania Wine & Wineries\| date = 2003 \| accessdate = 2007-12-06}}</ref>

	=== Tourism ===
	]

	Pennsylvania draws 2.1% of the Gross State Product from ''Accommodation and Food Services''. Only ], ] and ] have lower numbers. Philadelphia draws tourists<ref></ref> to see the ], ], the ] and ] of the ], while ]<ref></ref> attract honeymooners, golfers, and fishermen, and the ]<ref></ref> and ] appeal to boaters, hikers, and nature lovers. Another attraction are the many ] in the state, as Pennsylvania has more covered bridges than any other state.<ref>] or are under construction, are expected to make up a good portion of tourism in the Commonwealth.<ref></ref>

	The Commonwealth launched an extensive tourism campaign in 2003 under the direction of the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development. An extensive website<ref></ref> has been established to promote visits to the state and new license plates feature the VisitPA.com website.
	]
	{{main\|Pennsylvania Dutch Country}}
	The ] region in south-central Pennsylvania is a favorite for sightseers.<ref></ref> The Pennsylvania Dutch, including the ], the ] and at least 35 other sects,<ref></ref> are common in the rural areas around the cities of ], ], and Harrisburg, and ] with smaller numbers extending northeast to the ] and up the Susquehanna River valley.

	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."<ref></ref> The ] is a descendant of ], in the ] dialect family. The language is only very rarely used as a first language among Pennsylvanians; however, in eastern and south central areas of the state it is a common second language and greatly influences dialect and accent.

	== Politics ==
	=== Government of the Commonwealth ===
	Pennsylvania has had five ]s during its statehood:<ref name=jenkinslaw></ref> 1776, 1790, 1838, 1874, and . Prior to that, the province of Pennsylvania was governed for a century by a ], of which there were four versions: 1682, 1683, 1696, and 1701.<ref name=jenkinslaw /> The capital of the Commonwealth is ]. The legislature meets in the State Capitol there.
	] in downtown ]]]
	The current ] is ], a former head of the ] who began as a popular ] and ] in Philadelphia.<ref></ref> The other elected officials composing the executive branch are the Lieutenant Governor ], Attorney General ], Auditor General ], and State Treasurer ].<ref></ref>
	{{seealso\|List of Pennsylvania state agencies}}

	Pennsylvania has a ] set up by Commonwealth's constitution in 1790. The original Frame of Government of William Penn had a unicameral legislature.<ref></ref> The ] includes 50 ]<ref></ref> and 203 ].<ref></ref> ] is currently ] of the State Senate,<ref></ref> ] the ],<ref></ref> and ] the ].<ref></ref> ] is ] of the House of Representatives,<ref></ref> with ] as Majority Leader<ref></ref> and ] as Minority Leader.<ref></ref> The 2006 election resulted in the Democrats regaining control of the House and the balance remaining unchanged in Republicans' favor in the Senate.

	Pennsylvania is divided into 60 judicial districts,<ref name=courts></ref> most of which (except ] and ] Counties) have magisterial district judges (formerly called district justices and justices of the peace), who preside mainly over minor criminal offenses and small civil claims.<ref name=courts /> Most criminal and civil cases originate in the Courts of Common Pleas, which also serve as ]s to the district judges and for local agency decisions.<ref name=courts/> 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 ] to review ]s for ] surveillance.<ref name=courts/> The Commonwealth Court is limited to appeals from final orders of certain state agencies and certain designated cases from the Courts of Common Pleas.<ref name=courts/> The ] is the final appellate court. All judges in Pennsylvania are elected; the ] is determined by seniority.<ref name=courts/> The state holds 21 ] votes.<ref name=PAFacts>{{cite web \| url = http://pasdc.hbg.psu.edu/pasdc/whats_new/2007factsfortheweb.pdf\| title = Pennsylvania Facts 2007\| \| publisher = Pennsylvania State Data Center Penn State Harrisburg\| date = 2007 \| accessdate = 2007-12-05}}</ref>

	] provides 39% of Commonwealth's revenue; personal income tax 34%; motor vehicle taxes about 12%, and taxes on cigarettes and alcohol beverage 5%.<ref>''Revenue Department Releases August Collections (09/01/2006)'' Retrieved ] ].</ref>

	Counties, municipalities, and ]s levy taxes on real estate. In addition, some local bodies assess a ] on personal income. Generally, the total wage tax rate is capped at 1% of income but some municipalities with ] charters may charge more than 1%. Thirty-two of the Commonwealth's sixty-seven counties levy a ] on stocks, bonds, and similar holdings.

	=== Representation in the 110th Congress ===
	Pennsylvania's two ] in the ] are ] and ]

	Pennsylvania's ] for the term beginning January 2007 are ] (]), ] (]), ] (]), ] (]), ] (]), ] (]), ] (]), ] (]), ] (]), ] (]), ] (]), ] (]), ] (]), ] (]), ] (]), ] (]), ] (]), ] (]), and ] (]).<ref></ref>

	]

	=== Regional strength ===
	In the past decade, no ] 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 ]. Democrats are strong in urban ] and the areas of ], ], ], ], ], and ]/]. Republicans are generally dominant in the vast rural areas that make up the balance of the Commonwealth. Traditionally, Republicans have also fared well in the densely populated and wealthy suburbs of Philadelphia and Pittsburgh, but in the 1990s and 2000s many of these suburbs began to associate more with the Democratic Party.

	Since 1992, Pennsylvania has been trending Democratic in Presidential elections, voting for Bill Clinton twice by large margins, and slightly closer in 2000 for Al Gore. Most recently, in the 2004 Presidential Election, Senator ] beat President ] in Pennsylvania 2,938,095 (50.92%) to 2,793,847 (48.42%).

	== Important cities and municipalities ==
	], the largest city in Pennsylvania and the fourth-largest metropolitan area in the United States.]]
	], second largest city in Pennsylvania and 21st largest metropolitan area in the United States.]]
	Municipalities in Pennsylvania are incorporated as ] of several classes, as ], as ] of several classes, or under home rule charters. A "village," often identified by a roadside sign, is unincorporated, and is merely a locale without distinct boundaries. There are 2,567 municipalities in the state.<ref name=PAFacts />

	There is some confusion about the number of "towns" in Pennsylvania. In 1870, ], the county seat of ] was incorporated as a town, and is recognized by state government publications as "the only incorporated town" in Pennsylvania.<ref name ="PAmanual"></ref><ref></ref><ref> and in </ref> However, in 1975, ], in ] adopted a home rule charter under the name "Town of McCandless".<ref></ref><ref></ref>

	The ten most populated cities in Pennsylvania, in order are: ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], and ].

	<center><gallery>
	Image:Allentown_Pennsylvania_downtown.jpg\|]
	Image:Cathedral_of_the_Blessed_Sacrament.jpg\|]
	Image:Beaver Falls.jpg\|]
	Image:Bethlehem_Pennsylvania_downtown.jpg\|]
	Image:Butler skyline.jpg\|]
	Image:Easton_Skyline.jpg\|]
	Image:Eriesky2.jpg\|]
	Image:Harrisburg,_Pennsylvania_State_Capital_Building.jpg\|]
	Image:Downtown hazleton pa.jpg\|]
	Image:Johnstownview.jpg\|]
	Image:Rock Ford Plantation Lancaster Front 1456px.jpg\|]
	Image:Kennedy_Square.jpg\|]
	Image:Philadelphia_skyline.JPG\|]
	Image:Clementebridge.JPG\|]
	Image:Pottsville.jpg\|]
	Image:Pagoda_reading_pa.jpg\|]
	Image:DowntownScranton2003.jpg\|]
	Image:WilkesBarreDowntown.jpg\|]
	Image:192_9259_(Large).JPG\|]
	Image:110-1068_IMG.jpg\|]
	</gallery></center>

	{{seealso\|Pennsylvania locations by per capita income}}

	== Recreation ==
	Pennsylvania is home to the nation's first zoo, the ]. Other notable zoos include the Allentown Zoo, ], ], ], and ]. The Commonwealth boasts some of the finest museums in the country. One of the unique museums is the ] in Scranton, the only building in the world devoted to the legendary magician. It is also home to the ], located in Pittsburgh.

	All 121 ] in Pennsylvania feature free admission.

	Pennsylvania offers a number of notable amusement parks, including ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ] and ]. Pennsylvania also is home to the largest indoor waterpark resort on the East Coast, ] in Erie.

	There are also notable music festivals that take place in Pennsylvania. These include ] in ] (which featured the rock band ] in 2007 and routinely draws major music acts), the ], ], the Great Allentown Fair (which lasts slightly longer than a week in Allentown annually in early September) and ].

	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 is 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 ] shows that five of the ten largest (skull size) ] entries came from the state.<ref name=blackbear>{{cite web \| url = http://local.lancasteronline.com/4/212407\| title = Bear facts favor Pennsylvania State remains home to North America’s biggest black bears \| last = Reilly \| first = P. \| publisher = ]\| date = ] \| accessdate = 2007-12-06}}</ref> The state also has a tied record for the largest ] shot black bear in the Boone & Crockett books at {{convert\|733\|lb\|abbr=on}} and a ] of 23 3/16 tied with a bear shot in ] in 1993.<ref name=blackbear/> The largest bear ever found dead was in ] in 1975 and second largest was shot by a ] in the state in 1987.<ref name=blackbear/> Pennsylvania holds the second most number of Boone & Crockett recorded record black bears at 183 second only to ]'s 299.<ref name=blackbear/>

	== Transportation==
	There are 69 ] in the state and {{convert\|5100\|mi\|km}} of railways which is 5th in the nation.<ref name=PAFacts /> There is 134 public-use airports and 6 international airports.<ref name=PAFacts /> The port of ] is the 2nd largest inland port in the ].<ref name=PAFacts /> There are {{convert\|120000\|mi\|km}} of ]s in the state.<ref name=PAFacts2003>{{cite web \| url = http://www.gacla.state.pa.us/gacla/lib/gacla/pa_facts.pdf\| title = Pennsylvania Facts\| \| publisher = Pennsylvania State Data Center Penn State Harrisburg\| date = 2003 \| accessdate = 2007-12-05}}</ref>

	== Sports ==
	{{main\|Pennsylvania sports}}
	{{see\|List of people from Pennsylvania}}
	Pennsylvania is home to many professional sports teams, including the ] and ] of ], the ] and ] of the ], the ] of the ], the ] and ] of the ], and the ] of the ]. Among them, these teams have accumulated 6 ] Championships (Pirates 5, Phillies 1), 14 ] Pennants, 3 pre-] era NFL Championships (Eagles), 5 Super Bowl Championships (Steelers), 2 NBA Championships (76ers), and 4 ] winners (Flyers 2, Penguins 2).

	In baseball, the Phillies moved their Triple A-level team from ], in ], to a newly-constructed stadium, ] in ], beginning with the 2008 season. Because the Lehigh Valley is a core fan base for both the Phillies and the ] (who conduct their pre-season training camp on the practice fields of ]), there are understandably lofty expectations that the new team, called the ] (after ], which is an instrumental part in the construction of ] which has been a large part of the local economy for decades), is likely to prove hugely popular among Allentown and Lehigh Valley Phillies fans. The Phillies' AA team is located in ], and one of their A-level affiliates is also located in ]. The Pirates' AA team is located in ], and the Nationals' AA affiliate is in the capital of ]. The Yankees' AAA team is also located in ], in the northeastern part of the state. Two independent-league teams, the ] and ] of the ], are located in south-central Pennsylvania.

	College football is also very popular in Pennsylvania. The ] Nittany Lions are coached by ] who 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 second largest stadium in the United States, ], that seats 107,282. In addition, the ] ] 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). Pitt plays its home games at ], a facility it shares with the ]. Other Pennsylvania schools that have won national titles in football include ] (1896) and the ] (1895, 1897, 1904 and 1908).

	College basketball is also popular in the state, especially in the Philadelphia area where five universities, collectively termed the ], have a rich tradition in ] basketball. National titles in college basketball have been won by the following Pennsylvania universities: ] (1954), ] (1938), ] (1920 and 1921), ] (1928 and 1930) and ] (1985).

	In motorsports, the ] dynasty of race drivers is from ]. Notable Racetracks in Pennsylvania include the ] in ], the ] in ], the ] in ], the ] in ], the ] in ], the ] in ]; and the ] in ], which is home both the ] and the ].

	Also, the ] is held in ], where it was founded. Also the first ] between the Boston Pilgrims (now ]) and ] was played in ].

	There are also two motocross race tracks that host a round of the AMA Toyota Motocross Championships in Pennsylvania. in located in Mt. Morris, PA, and Steel City is located in Delmont, PA.

	Race courses for horses in Pennsylvania consist of ], south of ], ], in ] and ] in ] which offer ], and ] in ] and ], in ] which offer ]. ], the 2004 ] winner, had Philadelphia Park as his home course.

	], one of the leading 20th century pro golfers, comes from ], and ], one of the leading 21-century pro golfers, grew up near in ]. PGA tournaments in Pennsylvania include the 84 Lumber Classic, played at Nemacolin Woodlands Resort, in ] and the Northeast Pennsylvania Classic, played at Glenmaura National Golf Club, in ].

	Philadelphia is home to ], once a ]ing mecca, and across from City Hall, host to ]'s ] in 2001 and 2002.

	== Food ==
	In his book ''Yo Mama Cooks Like a Yankee'', author Sharon Hernes Silverman calls Pennsylvania the snack food capital of the world.<ref></ref> It leads all other states in the manufacture of ]s and potato chips. The ] 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. The three companies that define the U.S. potato chip industry are ], which started making chips in ] in 1921, ] which started making chips in ] in 1921, and ], a ] company. Other companies such as Herr Foods, Martin's Potato Chips, and Troyer Farms Potato Products are popular chip manufacturers. The U.S. chocolate industry is centered in ], with ] and ] nearby, and smaller manufacturers such as Asher's near ] and ] of ]. Other notable companies include ] in ], makers of ], ]s, and the ] favorite marshmallow ], ] and ] of ], which is well known for its ]. Auntie Anne's Pretzels originated in Gap, but their corporate headquarters is now located in Lancaster, PA. Traditional Pennsylvania Dutch foods include chicken potpie, schnitz un knepp (dried apples, hame, and dumplings), ] (raised doughnuts), scrapple, pretzels, bologna, and chochow. Shoofly is another traditional Pennsylvanian Dutch food. Yuengling Brewery, America's Oldest Brewery, has been brewing beer in Pottsville, PA since 1829.

	Among the regional foods associated with Pennsylvania are the ], ] and the ], the ], the ], ], ], ], and the ]. In Pittsburgh, tomato ketchup was improved by ] from 1876 to the early 1900s. Famous to a lesser extent than Heinz ketchup are the Pittsburgh's ] sandwiches. Outside the city of ], in the Borough of ] there are dozens of Italian restaurants specializing in pizza made unique by thick, light crust and American cheese. ] along with pork and mashed potatoes is a common meal on New Year's Day in Pennsylvania.

	Multi-ethnic cuisine is common{{Fact\|date=February 2007}}, especially in the Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, and ] areas. ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ] and many others can be found not only in specialty restaurants but at hundreds of community or religious festivals.

	==State symbols==
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	{\| class="wikitable" style="margin: 1em auto 1em auto"
	\|+ Pennsylvania state insignia and historical facts
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	\|] \|\| ]
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	\|] \|\| ]<ref name=symbols/>
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	\|] \|\| '']'' (Pennsylvania ])<ref name=symbols/>
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	\|] \|\| 2<sup>nd</sup>
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	\|] \|\| ] (Formerly ], until 1990)<ref name=symbols/>
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	\|State toy \|\| ]<ref></ref>
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	\|State electric locomotive \|\| ] ] #4849 Locomotive
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	\|State steam locomotive \|\| ] ] Locomotive
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	\|State beautification plant \|\| ]<ref name=symbols/>
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	\|] \|\| Hazleton<ref name=50states />
	\|}
	{{clear}}

	==See also==
	{{portal\|Pennsylvania\|Flag of Pennsylvania.svg\|left=yes}}
	{{clear}}
	{{main\|List of Pennsylvania-related topics}}
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	==References ==
	{{reflist\|2}}

	==External links==
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	{{coor title d\|41\|N\|77.5\|W\|region:US-PA_type:state}}

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Revision as of 19:20, 29 May 2008

HOLA MI AMIGO!