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Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, the City of Brotherly Love, covers more than 140 square miles. Philadelphia is the largest city in PA and the seat of Philadelphia County, which is contiguous with the city. The population, according to Census 2000 data, was more than 1.5 million, while the Greater Philadelphia metro area contains more than 5.8 million people.

Located 46 miles southwest of New York City, Philadelphia is home to diverse neighborhoods popularly known as North, Northeast, Northwest, West, South, and Southwest Philadelphia. Surrounding Center City, these current neighborhoods closely parallel Philadelphia's city limits before its consolidation in 1854.

Philly is home to the Philadelphia Stock Exchange and numerous Fortune 500 companies such as Boeing Rotorcraft Systems, CIGNA, Colonial Penn, and Sunoco. Philadelphia serves as a major center for national law because of the various law programs affiliated with local universities and the presence of the American Law Institute. America's federal government also operates several of its facilities in the city. These include the Philadelphia division of the Federal Reserve Bank, and the East Coast division of the United States Mint. The U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit also operate from a Philadelphia location.

Philadelphia has more than 80 colleges, universities, and other higher learning facilities, including three major research universities: Drexel University, Temple University, and the University of Pennsylvania. The University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia's largest private employer, operates a considerable medical system and a prestigious teaching hospital. Drexel and Temple University also have major hospitals affiliated with their schools.

As a significant hub for the region's healthcare needs, Philadelphia boasts distinguished children's hospitals such as the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, St. Christopher's Hospital, and the Shriners Hospital. Other hospitals include Albert Einstein Medical Center and Fox Chase Cancer Center. Healthcare remains the most significant source of employment in Philadelphia. As with all state healthcare facilities, any complaints of medical malpractice or medical negligence go through the Division of Acute and Ambulatory Care of the Pennsylvania Department of Health.

Tourism is a major industry in this part of PA. Philadelphia ranks as the nation's 11th most-visited city, hosting more than 710,000 visitors from foreign countries alone. Independence National Historical Park holds the heart of Philly's historic past. Visitors to the site will find the Liberty Bell and Independence Hall, the birthplace of the Declaration of Independence. Philadelphia is home to numerous museums such as the African-American Historical Cultural Museum, Atwater Kent Museum of Philadelphia History, the Benjamin Franklin National Memorial, the National Constitution Center, and the Philadelphia Museum of Art.

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania is home to the nation's first zoo, the Philadelphia Zoo. In addition, residents and visitors have access to more than 10,000 acres of pristine parkland, including Fairmount Park, one of America's oldest and largest urban parks. Philadelphia has a strong professional sporting presence that dates back to approximately 1860. With four major sports teams - the Philadelphia Eagles, the Flyers, the Phillies, and the 76ers - there's something for everyone.