According to INDEXDOTCOM, Pennsylvania is a state located in the Mid-Atlantic region of the United States. It is bounded by New York to the north and northeast, Delaware to the southeast, Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, and Ohio to the west. Pennsylvania has a total land area of 44,817 square miles, making it one of the larger states in size. The state is divided into three distinct geographic regions: The Appalachian Plateau in the northwest; The Ridge and Valley Region in central Pennsylvania; and The Atlantic Coastal Plain in the southeastern part of the state. The Appalachian Plateau region is characterized by mountains, valleys, rivers, streams and forests. This region contains some of Pennsylvania’s highest elevations including Mount Davis at 3,213 feet above sea level which is also its highest point. The Ridge and Valley Region is characterized by rolling hills and fertile farmlands with rich soils for growing crops such as hay and corn. Finally, The Atlantic Coastal Plain region includes cities such as Philadelphia and Pittsburgh as well as beaches along Lake Erie and Delaware Bay. According to SIMPLYYELLOWPAGES, Pennsylvania is home to a diverse selection of universities, colleges and other higher education institutions. Some of the most well-known universities in the state include the University of Pennsylvania, Carnegie Mellon University, Penn State University, Drexel University, Temple University, Lehigh University and Villanova University. These universities offer a wide range of courses in various disciplines such as business, engineering, computer science, medicine and law. Many of these universities have highly ranked programs in their respective fields. Additionally, many of these schools are known for their research activities and have strong ties to local industry.