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Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania occupies more than 46,000 square miles of the Northeastern and Middle Atlantic regions of the United States. PA's scenic coastal areas include 51 miles along Lake Erie and 57 miles on the shores of the Delaware Estuary. The Pennsylvania motto - Virtue, Liberty, and Independence - reflects the state's rich historic heritage, which includes some of the nation's most important historical events and sites. It was in the Commonwealth of PA that George Washington led the Battle of Valley Forge, and the birth of the U.S. Constitution and Declaration of Independence occurred in Philadelphia. PA is also home to the Liberty Bell.

Pennsylvania's population included 12,281,071 residents at the time of the 2000 Census. The cities of Pittsburgh and Philadelphia combined are home to more than 1.8 million citizens, not including the individuals living in the massive metro areas that surround each city. PA contains numerous small towns and cities such as Lancaster, the nation's oldest inland city, and Harrisburg, the state capital. Other significant PA cities include Allentown, Reading, Scranton, and Wilkes-Barre.

Due to its geographic shape, Pennsylvania earned the nickname of the Keystone State. Located midway between the north and the south, with easy access to New England and the midwestern states, PA serves as a keystone for six out of the nation's 10 major business markets. Its prime business access also includes the Ports of Erie, Pittsburgh, and Philadelphia, which allow access to the Atlantic Ocean, Canada, and the Great Lakes. The Panama Canal affords entry to the Gulf of Mexico and the Pacific Ocean. Pennsylvania features more than 120,000 miles of well-maintained highways and six international airports.

The Pennsylvania Department of Health, in charge of coordinating health resources for the Commonwealth, reports an abundance of healthcare providers and healthcare options throughout the state. These include drug and alcohol treatment centers, nursing care facilities, outpatient centers, and hospitals. Pennsylvania is home to 264 hospitals, the largest of which include the University of Pennsylvania Health System, the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, and West Penn Allegheny Health System. The Health Department's Division of Acute and Ambulatory Care handle the licensing and oversight of PA's hospitals, and maintain the investigations of any complaints, medical malpractice incidents, or medical negligence claims throughout these facilities.

Pennsylvania boasts 50 Fortune 500 companies, with its largest private employers being Wal-Mart and the University of Pennsylvania. Pennsylvania is home to numerous colleges and universities in the public and private sectors, including Carnegie Mellon University, Pennsylvania State University, and the University of Pittsburgh, all of which are members of the prestigious Association of American Universities.

Although Pennsylvania traditionally enjoys a robust economy, as of January 2010, the state's unemployment rate reached 8.8%. The tourism industry remains a reliable source of steady income. PA is the home of Philadelphia Zoo (our nation's first zoo), the Carnegie, Hershey Park, and the National Aviary. With nearly one million licensed hunters, fishing, fur taking, and sport hunting reportedly generate more than $9.6 billion per year (Center for Rural Pennsylvania data).

Pennsylvania offers lifestyle options that range from quiet coastal towns to energetic cities. From the scenic shores of the Great Lakes region through the majestic Pocono Mountains to the City of Brotherly Love and America's Steel City, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania offers outstanding arenas in which to live, play, work, and raise a family.