Pennsylvania is one of the most historically important states in the United States, but its significance goes well beyond Philadelphia, the American Revolution, and the steel mills of Pittsburgh. The state crosses several major geographic regions, connects the Atlantic side of the country with the Appalachian interior and Lake Erie, and has a large, diversified modern economy.
Harrisburg is the capital of Pennsylvania, while Philadelphia is its largest city. Pennsylvania was the second state to ratify the U.S. Constitution, on December 12, 1787. Its history includes William Penn’s colonial settlement, the Declaration of Independence, the Constitutional Convention, Valley Forge, the Battle of Gettysburg, coal and steel production, and the growth of major cities and industries.
This Pennsylvania facts guide covers the state’s capital, major cities, population, geography, climate, economy, GDP, history, landmarks, state symbols, and other information useful for students, teachers, quiz learners, and general readers.
Quick Facts About Pennsylvania
| Fact | Information |
|---|---|
| State name | Pennsylvania |
| Traditional designation | Commonwealth of Pennsylvania |
| Postal abbreviation | PA |
| Capital | Harrisburg |
| Largest city | Philadelphia |
| U.S. Census region | Northeast |
| U.S. Census division | Middle Atlantic |
| Statehood | December 12, 1787 |
| Statehood order | 2nd |
| Total area | About 46,054 square miles |
| Land area | 44,742.27 square miles in the 2020 Census geographic data |
| Population | 13,059,432 – U.S. Census Bureau estimate for July 1, 2025 |
| Population rank | 5th among the states – Vintage 2025 estimates |
| 2020 population density | 290.6 people per square mile |
| Counties | 67 |
| Nickname | The Keystone State |
| Motto | Virtue, Liberty and Independence |
| State bird | Ruffed grouse |
| State flower | Mountain laurel |
| State tree | Eastern hemlock |
| State animal | White-tailed deer |
| State fish | Brook trout |
| Highest point | Mount Davis – 3,213 feet above sea level |
| Major rivers | Delaware, Susquehanna, Allegheny, Monongahela, and Ohio |
| Time zone | Eastern Time |
The words “state” and “commonwealth” do not give Pennsylvania different legal status from other U.S. states. “Commonwealth” is a traditional designation also used by Kentucky, Massachusetts, and Virginia.
Continue reading “Pennsylvania Facts: Capital, Major Cities, Geography & Economy”