Please click on one of the regions above or to the right to view documents and legislation related to each local area of Pennsylvania. Pennsylvania is blessed to have sixty-seven diverse counties. Each nook of Pennsylvania has its own special character and holds a special contribution to the Commonwealth. Pennsylvania is the nation's 6th largest state with a population of more than 12 million people. Many of those 12 million people are concentrated in Pennsylvania's major population centers, Philadelphia in the southeast corner of the state and Pittsburgh in the southwest. Pennsylvania also contains a number of medium-sized cities such as Scranton and Wilkes-Barre in the northeast, Allentown in the east central, Erie in the northwest, and the cities of Harrisburg, York, and Lancaster in the south-central part of the state. Central Pennsylvania is home to a substantial rural population, which gives Pennsylvania the largest rural population of any state in the nation. Philadelphia and the Lehigh Valley: The writing of the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution took place in Philadelphia. There is an enormous amount of American history throughout this area— the homes of Ben Franklin and Betsy Ross, the Liberty Bell, and Brandywine Battlefield. You will also find the Philadelphia Zoo and tons of shopping. Travelers find the quaint shopping village of New Hope in Bucks County great for finding the perfect gift. Chester County boasts the spectacular Longwood Gardens, and Crayola Crayons found its home in Easton. You will also find some of the most die hard sports fans in Pennsylvania cheering on the Eagles, Phillies, Flyers, and 76ers. Pennsylvania Dutch Country: You will experience gorgeous scenery not just in Lancaster County, but also in Berks and Lebanon. Our state capitol stands tall in the city of Harrisburg in Dauphin County. Both Lancaster and York were, at one time, capitols of the U.S. This region is also home to HersheyPark, where thousands flock to taste the rich, sweet goodness at Hershey's Chocolate Factory. History is woven throughout the region and many stop for a long weekend in Gettysburg. Babe Ruth started his first baseball career on a ball field near Cornwall in Lebanon. Immense outdoor action can be found in Cumberland and Franklin Counties, while Harley-Davidsons whip through their home in York. You will also find the shopping outlet capital of the world in Reading. Laurel Highlands: You are sure to find superb fishing in Raystown Lake in Huntingdon County. Raystown Lake is Pennsylvania's largest man-made lake. Each county and small town in this region offers its own distinct flair. Fayette County harbors architect Frank Lloyd Wright's cutting edge Fallingwater. The home of Jimmy Stewart is in Indiana County. The Flight 93 Memorial stands in Somerset County as a remembrance of the heroes lost on September 11, 2001. Cambria County is the home of the Johnstown Flood National Memorial. Pittsburgh: The beautiful skyline of Pittsburgh is surrounded by Allegheny County. Pittsburgh is known as the "burgh" in Pennsylvania, as you will hear it called should you pass through. More than 3.9 million people visit Pittsburgh each year to experience all the city has to offer. From its contemporary neighborhoods to the ethnic and cultural communities, Pittsburgh has a little bit of everything. The city also cheers on four major sports teams - the Steelers, Pirates, Penguins, and Riverhounds. Historical sites from the French and Indian War also dot this region, as do scenic bridges and streams. One should take a ride through the western Pennsylvania during autumn season, especially McConnel's Mill Park in Lawrence County. Bird lovers can find a paradise in Moraine State Park in Butler County. The Northwest: The only beach in Pennsylvania, Presque Isle, sits on the shores of Lake Erie. The discovery of oil put Venango and Crawford Counties on the map. Crawford County also holds Pymatuning, one of the largest state parks in Pennsylvania, providing a great fishing and hiking area. Allegheny National Forest Region: This region has the smallest populated county, Forest County, where the Genesee, the Allegheny, and the Susquehanna Rivers all begin. The Allegheny National Forest spans the length of five counties—Warren, Forest, McKean, Elk and Jefferson. Pennsylvania has its very own Grand Canyon in Tioga County. This area is truly spectacular and is an outdoor wonderland. We all know Punxatawny Phil, but not many people know that the famous groundhog lives in Jefferson County. Pennsylvania's elk herd resides in Cameron County. Susquehanna River Valley: This region contains eleven counties, including the rolling hills of Perry County and the farmlands of Union and Snyder Counties. Clinton and Lycoming Counties boast mountainous regions where hang-gliding is a popular attraction to view the gorgeous landscape. Pennsylvania's largest fair—the Bloomsburg Fair—is in Columbia County. The home of Little League Baseball is in Williamsport in Lycoming County. This region has an abundance of quaint historical towns that surround the campuses of Penn State and Bucknell Universities. Pocono Region: Of course the Poconos is most commonly recognized for its wonderful ski resorts and slopes; but there is more to this region than just a winter wonderland of fun. There are numerous towns to explore, antiques to buy, and bed and breakfasts to check out in this region. Steamtown in Scranton is a wonderful place to visit as well as the train ride through a coalmine in Ashland, Schuykill County. There are many outdoor sites to see including Delaware Water Gap in Monroe County, and Ricketts Glen in Luzerne, Columbia, and Sullivan Counties. Visitors from around the world are attracted to the gorgeous waterfalls at Ricketts Glen.
|