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.[14] Of a total 46,055 square miles (119,282 km²), 44,817 square miles (116,075 km²) are land, 490 square miles (1,269 km²) are inland waters and 749 square miles (1,940 km²) are waters in Lake Erie.[15] It is the 33rd largest state in the United States.[15] The highest point of 3,213 feet (979 m) above sea level is at Mount Davis, which was named for its owner, John Davis, a schoolteacher who fought for the Union Army at the Battle of Gettysburg. The lowest point is at sea level on the Delaware River, and the approximate mean elevation is 1,100 feet (335 m).[16] Pennsylvania is in the Eastern time zone.[17]
Pennsylvania has borders with 6 other states: To the North is New York; to the East, New Jersey; to the South-East, Delaware and Maryland; to the South-West is West Virginia, and finally Ohio to the West.
The original southern boundary of Pennsylvania was supposed to be at 40° North latitude,[18] but as a result of a bad faith compromise by Lord Baltimore during Cresap's War, the king's courts moved the boundary 20 miles (32 km) south[19] to 39° 43' N.[14] The city of Philadelphia, at 40°0'N 75°8'W,[20] would have been split in half by the original boundary. While he was a captive, Cresap, a Marylander, was paraded through Philadelphia. He taunted the officers by announcing that Philadelphia was one of the prettiest towns in Maryland.[19]
Climate
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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 Philadelphia lies at the southernmost tip of the humid continental climate zone, with some characteristics of the humid subtropical climate that lies in 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 (250 cm) of snowfall annually, and the entire state receives plentiful rainfall throughout the year.
| Monthly Normal High and Low Temperatures For Various Pennsylvania Cities |
| 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 |
| [citation needed] |
History
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Before the Commonwealth was settled, the area was home to the Delaware (also known as Lenni Lenape), Susquehannock, Iroquois, Eries, Shawnee, and other Native American tribes.[21]
In 1681, Charles II granted a land charter[22] to William Penn, to repay a debt of £20,000 ($20,000,000 in today’s money) owed to William's father, Admiral Penn. This was one of the largest land grants to an individual in history.[23] 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.[23]
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 received the high praise of Adam Smith.[citation needed]
After the |