Welcome to Pennsylvania
If you are teaching about the US states, here are some facts about Pennsylvania you may want to know.
Pennsylvania is located in the northeastern United States. It is bordered by six states: Ohio, West Virginia, Maryland, Delaware, New Jersey, and New York. Harrisburg is the capital.
Let’s learn a little more about this great state.
And be sure to scroll to the end to get a free picture recipe from Pennsylvania.

A brief history of Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania became a state in 1787 and was the 2nd state to join the United States just after Delaware.
Pennsylvania was named for William Penn in 1681, the colony’s founder.
Between 1754 and 1763, Pennsylvania was involved in the French and Indian War. Although the English won, they found themselves short of money, which led to new taxes on the colonists, including those living in Pennsylvania.
Unhappy with this new taxation and other restrictions from England, the Revolutionary War began in 1775 and would last until 1787.
The Civil War lasted from 1861 to 1865. In 1863, one of the bloodiest battles, the Battle of Gettysburg, occurred in Pennsylvania. This battle became the turning point of the war, which the Union (the North) would win.

Jumping ahead, there were more important events in Pennsylvania’s history. In 1979, Three Mile Island in Harrisburg became the first major nuclear accident to occur in the US.

Finally, on September 11, 2001, Flight 93 crashed into a field southeast of Pittsburgh, killing all 40 people on board. This was one of the planes hijacked in the nation’s worst terrorist attack.
The geography of Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania has five main geographical regions: the Lake Erie Coastal Plain, the Allegheny Plateau, the Ridge and Vally region, the Piedmont, and the Atlantic Coastal Plain.

The Lake Erie Coastal Plain is in the northwest corner of the state and is bordered by Lake Erie. It is characterized by fairly flat terrain formed by glaciers and is used for farming and agriculture.
Rolling hills, deep valleys, and rugged terrain characterize the Allegheny Plateau. It is part of the Appalachian Plateau, which extends across much of western and central Pennsylvania.
The Ridge and Valley region forms a significant portion of the Appalachian Mountain range. It includes a lot of farmland and forests.

In the Piedmont region, you will find even more farmland. There are rolling hills, caves, and even sinkholes in this area.
Finally, the Atlantic Coastal Plain is a flat, low region with marshes, wetlands, and forests.
Pennsylvania's resources and industries
Many agricultural resources come from Pennsylvania.
Pennsylvania is the largest producer of mushrooms in the US.

In addition, Pennsylvania is the second largest producer of apples.
Pennsylvania is one of the largest coal producers in the US and an important source of natural gas.
Finally, Pennsylvania has a long history of manufacturing, particularly in steel production.
Often referred to as the “Steel City,” Pittsburgh was a major center for steel production in the US and was home to several of the country’s largest steel mills. While the steel industry has declined in Pittsburgh, the city still bears the legacy of its steelmaking heritage.

Fun places to visit in Pennsylvania
If you plan to visit Pennsylvania, there are some things you will want to know and make sure you get to see. This state has a rich history and fun sites to see.
Pennsylvania is home to one of the most famous landmarks and symbols in the US, the Liberty Bell. The Liberty Bell is one of the most popular symbols of America’s independence. It sits across the street from Independence Hall in Philadelphia. This bell has quite a fascinating history.
The bell was made in England and arrived in Philadelphia in 1752. The very first time it was rung, it cracked and sounded terrible. So, two men, John Pass and John Stow, melted and remade it, but it cracked again.

Valley Forge is another important historical landmark in Pennsylvania. During the Revolutionary War, American soldiers spent a brutal winter in Valley Forge, Pennsylvania, from 1777 to 1778. Many died or became quite sick. But it was also a time when the soldiers really came together under the leadership of George Washington and developed into a military power capable of winning the war.
Today, when you visit Valley Forge, you can see Washington’s headquarters, replicas of the log cabins soldiers stayed in, and monuments. You can learn a lot about a soldier’s life during the Revolutionary War.

You will also want to ensure you visit Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. This is the site of a 3-day battle between the Union and Confederate armies. It left nearly 52,000 men killed, wounded, or missing.
Today, it is a national park that encompasses 6,000 acres. You can walk the grounds and see over 1,000 different markers, as well as many memorials and monuments. When you visit Gettysburg, you will learn a lot about the Civil War.

West of Philadelphia, you can visit Lancaster, home to the second largest population of Amish in the US. Explore the farms and shops as you learn how these people continue to live a simple yet prosperous life without things we take for granted, like cars, television, cell phones, and even electricity!

A trip to Pennsylvania would not be complete without a visit to Hershey Park. This amusement park hosts many chocolate-themed rides. Afterward, you can go to Chocolate World and learn about the history of chocolate making in Pennsylvania and even develop your own candy bar.

Finally, located just southeast of Pittsburgh, on the western side of the state, you can visit the Flight 93 Memorial. This is the site where the third hijacked plane on September 11, 2001, crashed. All 40 passengers died in their efforts to stop the hijacker.

Fun facts about Pennsylvania
Here are a few fun facts you might not know about Pennsylvania. The Mountain Laurel is the state flower, and the Ruffed Grouse is the state bird.

Pennsylvania is the place where some very important documents were written. These include the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, and Abraham Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address.

Philadelphia was the country’s capital from 1790-1800.
Pennsylvania is technically a commonwealth, not a state! A commonwealth refers to the well-being of the people. It still functions exactly like all the other states. Kentucky, Massachusetts, and Virginia are also commonwealths.
The first (and now oldest) zoo in the US opened in Philadelphia in 1874.
Pennsylvania leads the country in the production of pretzels and potato chips.
Finally, a small Pennsylvania town, Punxsutawney, has been made famous by one special groundhog. Everyone tunes in on February 2 to see if spring will come early or late this year.

Pennsylvania is a great state with so much to see. Next time you go on a trip, consider visiting this state and seeing what you can find.
To get a complete 2 week unit about Pennsylvania that includes:
- 2 PowerPoints
- Vocabulary
- Bingo cards
- Daily Activities
- Picture recipe: Soft Pretzels
- Assessment
Then check out the complete unit below.