Pennsylvania: Quick Facts

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Last updated

Nov. 12, 2026

News •

Cargo ship strikes bridge between New Jersey and Philadelphia, causing traffic backup • Nov. 12, 2026, 9:05 PM ET (AP)

A woman running the NYC marathon for charity dies 2 miles from the finish • Nov. 3, 2026, 4:10 PM ET (AP)

As a historic measles outbreak hits Pennsylvania Amish country, more show openness to vaccines • Oct. 30, 2026, 12:13 PM ET (AP)

Sean 'Diddy' Combs moved to a new prison after reports of a luxury lifestyle behind bars • Oct. 16, 2026, 10:47 AM ET (AP)

Democrats hope a rematch can dislodge Trump loyalist Perry in Pennsylvania • Oct. 16, 2026, 8:53 AM ET (AP)

Facts

Also Known As	Commonwealth of Pennsylvania • Keystone State
Capital	Harrisburg
Population¹	(2020) 13,002,700; (2025 est.) 13,059,432
Governor	Josh Shapiro (Democrat)
Date Of Admission	Dec. 12, 1787²
U.S. Senators	David McCormick (Republican) • John Fetterman (Democrat)
State Nickname	Keystone State
State Motto	“Virtue, Liberty, and Independence”
State Bird	ruffed grouse
State Flower	mountain laurel
State Song	“Pennsylvania”
Seats In U.S. House Of Representatives	17 (of 435)
Time Zone	Eastern (GMT − 5 hours)
Total Area (Sq Km)	119,280
Total Area (Sq Mi)	46,054
¹Excluding military abroad.²Original state; date shown is that of ratification of Constitution.

Photos and Videos

Pennsylvania: flag

The seal of the state of Pennsylvania features a shield with a ship, a plow, and three sheaves of wheat, symbolizing commerce and agriculture. Above the shield is a bald eagle, and the shield is flanked by a stalk of corn on the left and an olive branch with red berries on the right. The outer ring reads Seal of the State of Pennsylvania.

Pennsylvania state bird

Illustration of a mountain laurel branch (Kalmia latifolia) showing clusters of star-shaped pink flowers with darker pink markings and several elongated green leaves.

Political map of Pennsylvania showing state and county boundaries, major cities, and neighboring states. State capital Harrisburg and other key cities like Philadelphia and Pittsburgh are marked, with a small inset locator map highlighting Pennsylvania's position in the northeastern United States.

A person stands by the edge of Pine Creek with forested slopes rising on both sides in Pine Creek Gorge, also known as the Pennsylvania Grand Canyon.

Physical map of Pennsylvania showing major natural features such as the Appalachian Mountains, Allegheny Mountains, Pocono Mountains, Blue Mountains, and key rivers including the Susquehanna and Allegheny. The map also marks lakes, state boundaries, and notable sites like Gettysburg National Military Park and Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area, with a locator inset highlighting Pennsylvania's position in the United States.

Map of the Middle Atlantic region of the United States, showing New York, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware, and Maryland, along with parts of surrounding states. The map highlights major cities such as New York City, Philadelphia, Baltimore, and Washington, D.C., as well as state capitals, lakes, rivers, mountain ranges, and other physical features like the Adirondack Mountains, Catskill Mountains, and the Appalachian Mountains. Major water bodies such as Lake Erie, Lake Ontario, and the Atlan

The Fort Pitt Bridge with its yellow arches spans the Monongahela River in front of the Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania skyline with tall office buildings.

Lancaster county

The never-ending underground fire of Centralia, Pennsylvania

View a discussion on the history of the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts

Watch a short discussion on Charles Willson Peale, founder of the Philadelphia Museum

Explore the Franklin Institute, dedicated to Benjamin Franklin and science

Learn how the home state of Gettysburg contributed iron and ammunition along with soldiers to the Union army and navy

See All Videos, Images and Interactives →

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