Detailed Map of Pennsylvania and Flag | Outline, Counties, Cities and Road Map

Interesting Facts about Pennsylvania and Best places to visit

Tourist map of Pennsylvania with travel and attractions
Tourist map of Pennsylvania with travel and attractions

Detailed Map of Pennsylvania and Flag | Outline, Counties, Cities and Road Map

BOOK HOTEL IN ANY PART OF PENNSYLVANIA AT GREAT PRICES

With perfectly hot summers and just the right kind of cold winters, Pennsylvania is an ideal place to go all year round. 

If you are a foodie and love a good Philly cheesesteak, what could possibly be a better place to have it than the place where it was born? Missing the beach? It is right in the state! All with beautiful state parks for you to have a relaxing time with amazing food.

Is Pennsylvania a commonwealth? 

You must have heard about the four states of the US which classify themselves as commonwealth whereas others are simply considered to be states. 

Kentucky, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania and Virginia are the four states that are considered to be Commonwealths. 

When it comes to politics and laws, there is no difference. Commonwealth was used in the older times. The term was used for a political community which was founded for the common good. 

The four states that call themselves commonwealth were previously colonized by the British and the states including Pennsylvania were heavily impacted by the British rule, a reflection of which can also be seen in their current laws and institutions.

Why is Pennsylvania called the Keystone State?

The title of Pennsylvania comes with a great symbolic significance which is incredibly well thought-out. 

Pennsylvania is situated centrally along the arch of the 13 states and has historical importance in keeping the states together when they recently formed a union. 

A keystone is a wedge-shaped piece situated at the top middle part of an arch that keeps the structure together. Similar to that, Pennsylvania has historically played a vital role in ensuring the functioning of the United States in peace and harmony. 

They keystone now is also used as an official symbol of the state government of Pennsylvania.

Why is Pennsylvania a battleground state?

Pennsylvania has always had significant status whenever it has come to elections with being one of the most important states having 20 electoral votes. 

Even when it has come to pre-election campaign visits, the candidates often make a large number of visits to Pennsylvania to secure the votes of the people there. 

With the size of Pennsylvania easily being of 5 states, the state overall is huge with even a bigger population and more people to please. Philadelphia was also a temporary capital of the US back in 1790 and 1800 when Washington DC was under construction.

Flag of Pennsylvania

With having the same flag for over 100 years, the flag of Pennsylvania was made official in 1907. 

The flag is meant to symbolize and represent the state motto which is “Virtue, Liberty and Independence”. 

The currently used flag was in use even back in 1798. The governor of Pennsylvania has a different flag with the same coat of arms but a different field with a red ribbon above the coat of arms saying “the Governor”.

Colors and Meanings of the flag of Pennsylvania 

The flag of Pennsylvania uses 5 main colors including Blue, Black, Tundora (a grey-ish black), Monza (bright red) and Galliano (dull yellow). 

The coat of arms is rather complex yet intricate. The ship indicates state commerce to other parts of the world. Then comes the farming plow, a corn stalk and three sheaves of wheat which represent the fertile fields, the cornstalk and olive branch’s crossing limbs are known to be a symbol of peace and prosperity. 

This all represents the natural resources that Pennsylvania is enriched with. The coat of arms also features a bald eagle which represents the state’s loyalty to the United States.

Population of Pennsylvania

As big as Pennsylvania is geographically, it is even bigger demographically. With its reputation being the 9th most densely populated state in the US, you are bound to find diversity like never before. 

A large chunk of the 12 million of Pennsylvania’s population resides in Philadelphia and its surrounding areas with the city alone housing 1.6 million people. 

Most commonly followed religion here is Christianity. The majority of the population is white (82%) followed by the African Americans which represent 12%. The rest of the population comprises Asians, Hawaiians, Pacific Islanders and several other races.

Languages spoken in Pennsylvania

With Pennsylvania being true to its roots yet so diverse at the same time, you can expect almost everyone in the state to speak English. 

However, with a large number of immigrants from all over the world, the diversity also brings in a lot of languages that are new to the region. 

Several other languages are also spoken here like Spanish, German, Chinese and Italian. Pennsylvanian German and Pennsylvanian Dutch are also preserved greatly in the state with a large number of speakers.

Interesting Facts about Pennsylvania 

There is a lot more than what meets the eye in Pennsylvania. With a rich history and interesting architecture, Pennsylvania packs in a lot of interesting facts that will leave you amazed. Here are a few:

  • The Monongahela River in the Western PA has its reputation for flowing north.
  • Pennsylvania houses many of the firsts of the US from the very first gas station in Altoona to Wanamaker’s, the very first departmental store.
  • Fond of singing while taking a bath? A weird Pennsylvania law forbids singing in a bathtub.

Best Places to Visit in Pennsylvania 

With how big the state is, you are bound to find modernism and history all in one place. 

Pennsylvania has preserved its history in the best possible way but on the other hand, the state also offers fun modern places for you to visit and have the time of your life. 

Here are a few places that you shouldn’t miss on your stay here!

  • Hershey Park – The town Hershey itself is the home to the world-famous chocolate and to honor that, there is an entire amusement park which was built in 1906 and is full of thrilling and fun rides for people of all ages.
  • Gettysburg National Military Park – In 1863, the Civil War took place with over 51,000 people martyred. The park served as a battlefield for that and is now a well-preserved piece of history.
  • Philadelphia Museum of Art – The state is known for a lot more than the cream cheese that we are so fond of. An ideal place for artists and people who adore history, the Museum of Art houses one of the largest historical art collections in America and the museum has also been a part of several movies.

BOOK HOTEL IN ANY PART OF PENNSYLVANIA AT GREAT PRICES

See Also

US STATES MAPS AND FLAGS

4 Interesting Facts about Pennsylvania

Hi and welcome to my travel blog! Based in London, I work in investment banking in a quantitative field and although I am not part of the travel industry, I have a ton of passion for travel. My blog is a reference guide for my fellow travelers with the same passion as me. Hopefully the blog is easy to navigate and my aim is to bring the most relevant and interesting information before you begin your journey!