Pennsylvania is located in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. It is bordered by New York to the north, New Jersey to the east, Delaware to the southeast, Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, and Ohio to the west. The state has a total area of 46,055 square miles (119,282 km2). The Appalachian Mountains run through its middle. Most of Pennsylvania is in a region known as a humid continental climate with cold winters and warm summers. The state has numerous rivers and streams that are important for transportation, industry and recreation. The Susquehanna River is one of the longest rivers in North America and provides hydroelectric power for much of Pennsylvania. Other major rivers include Delaware River, Allegheny River, Monongahela River, Schuylkill River and Lehigh River. Pennsylvania also has numerous lakes including Lake Erie which forms part of its northern border with New York State. Pennsylvania also has vast forests which cover roughly two thirds of its total land area. These forests are home to many species of wildlife including deer, bear and wild turkey.
Major Cities
According to COUNTRYAAH, Pennsylvania is home to many major cities, each with its own unique charm. Philadelphia is the largest city in Pennsylvania, and the birthplace of American democracy. Home to many historical sites such as the Liberty Bell and Independence Hall, Philadelphia is a city full of culture and history. Pittsburgh is another major city in Pennsylvania known for its industrial roots and modern attractions. The Steel City is home to a variety of museums, art galleries, and performing arts centers that make it a great destination for visitors. Harrisburg is the state capital of Pennsylvania, located along the Susquehanna River. Its Capitol Complex houses several historical sites and museums dedicated to preserving Pennsylvania’s rich history. Scranton is a smaller city located in northeastern Pennsylvania that has seen an increase in popularity due to its starring role in The Office television show. Allentown rounds out the list of major cities in Pennsylvania, known for its vibrant arts scene and bustling downtown area.
Primary Schools
Pennsylvania is home to many well-regarded primary schools. The Philadelphia School District is the 8th largest in the United States and has over 134,000 students enrolled in its primary schools. In addition, there are several private primary schools that offer a quality education for children in Pennsylvania. For example, The Agnes Irwin School is an independent school in Rosemont that offers classes from Pre-Kindergarten to Grade 12. It emphasizes a college preparatory curriculum and focuses on the development of character and leadership skills. Similarly, The Haverford School is an all-boys school located in Haverford that offers courses from Pre-Kindergarten to Grade 12. It has a strong focus on academics, athletics, and the arts, as well as providing students with a nurturing environment where they can develop their individual talents. Other private primary schools include Germantown Friends School, William Penn Charter School and Chestnut Hill Academy. These schools have excellent reputations for providing excellent education to their students while also promoting diversity and inclusion within their student body.
Secondary Schools
Pennsylvania is home to a variety of excellent secondary schools. One of the top-rated public high schools in the state is Central Bucks High School South in Doylestown, PA. This school offers a wide range of academic programs including Advanced Placement classes, dual enrollment courses, and a variety of special interest clubs. The school also has an impressive athletic program, with teams competing in both local and regional leagues. Another notable high school in Pennsylvania is Conestoga High School in Berwyn, PA. This school offers an International Baccalaureate program as well as many AP classes and extracurricular activities such as music and theatre groups. In addition to their academic programs, Conestoga High School also boasts one of the most successful athletics departments in the state with teams competing at state and national levels. Finally, Upper Dublin High School located near Philadelphia is another top-rated secondary school in Pennsylvania that offers a broad portfolio of academics, arts and athletics for students to explore.
Higher Education
The University of Pennsylvania is one of the top three colleges in Pennsylvania. Located in the heart of Philadelphia, this Ivy League school is renowned for its world-class academics, research, and resources. The university offers a wide range of degree programs across a variety of disciplines, including medicine, engineering, law and business. With a student body of over 25,000 undergraduate and graduate students, Penn is committed to providing an education that is both comprehensive and rigorous. In addition to its excellent academic programs, Penn also offers an array of extracurricular activities for students to explore their interests and passions outside the classroom.
Carnegie Mellon University is another one of the top three colleges in Pennsylvania. Located in Pittsburgh’s Oakland neighborhood near downtown, this private research university boasts a highly ranked computer science program as well as other notable academic departments such as engineering and business. Carnegie Mellon has an enrollment of over 12,000 students from all 50 states and more than 100 countries around the world. The university offers an impressive array of degree programs including digital media design, robotics engineering and artificial intelligence studies. In addition to its top-notch academics and research opportunities, Carnegie Mellon also provides plenty of extracurricular activities such as student organizations on campus and offsite events like conferences or hackathons for students to get involved in outside their studies.
Lastly, Lehigh University rounds out Pennsylvania’s top three colleges list. Located in Bethlehem PA near Allentown PA in the Lehigh Valley region on the east side of the state, this private research university has a strong focus on STEM education with degree programs such as Engineering Science & Mechanics (ESM) as well as biomedical engineering & materials science & engineering (MSE). Lehigh has an enrollment size just under 7500 undergraduate & graduate students from all 50 states plus over 40 countries around the world making it quite diverse with a variety of student cultures present on campus. In addition to its plethora of degree options offered through its five schools within the university (College Of Arts & Sciences; College Of Business; College Of Education; P.C Rossin College Of Engineering And Applied Science; College Of Health), Lehigh also provides plenty of extracurricular activities for students to take advantage such as clubs & organizations or intramural sports teams that match up against nearby colleges like Lafayette College or Moravian College making it quite competitive yet fun at times too!
