Pennsylvania (USA)

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One of the original 13 colonies to be settled in the United States, Pennsylvania was founded by an English Quaker, William Penn, in the 17th Century: hence the name of the state which literally means Penn's Woods'. There are certainly woods in Pennsylvania (particularly in the Allegheny National Forest in the north), but also a great deal more besides in this diverse state, which spans more than 300 miles from Delaware Bay to the Great Lakes.

Above all else Pennsylvania is the most historically significant state in the nation, particularly its main population hub, the eastern seaboard city of Philadelphia, where America's founding fathers shaped the nation after Independence. The Liberty Bell seldom tolls today, but it draws millions of visitors annually to the city's Historic Independence National Park.

The other main metropolis is Pittsburgh on the western side of the state, where the smoke-belching steel mills of the early 20th century have given way to urban redevelopment highlighting the region's natural beauty.

In between its two major cities, Pennsylvania, bounded by six other states (New York, New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, West Virginia and Ohio), offers everything from honeymoon retreats, family style resorts, ski-lodges, an eclectic mix of architecture, scrumptious home-style fare, historic treasures, panoramic cityscapes, pastoral pleasure, artists' colonies and country inns. Whatever a visitor wants out of a sojourn in this state, he or she is bound to find. Even chocolate lovers will discover paradise here, for this is the location of Hershey, home of the world-famous Hershey Bar, which offers up its favourite Chocolate World attraction for the tasting.

State capital is the city of Harrisburg in the north, with it's exceptionally handsome capitol building and impressive State Museum, covering Pennsylvania's 300-year history, and the National Civil War Museum which focuses on the human side of the conflict.

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Population: 295.734.100
Languages: English 82%, Spanish 11% (2000)
Currency: US dollar
Currency code: USD
Local Times:
U.S.A. - District of Columbia - Washington DC

U.S.A. - Florida - Orlando

U.S.A. - California - San Francisco

U.S.A. - New York - New York

U.S.A. - Nevada - Las Vegas

Country Dialling Code: +1
Voltage: 120V 60Hz
Electrical plugs:
2 parallel flat prongs

2 Parallel flat prongs with an earth connector

The USA is home to several of the world's most exciting cities, some truly mind-blowing landscapes, a strong sense of regionalism, a trenchant mythology, more history than the country gives itself credit for and, arguably, some of the most approachable natives in the world.

America was 'discovered' by Columbus in 1492 and for 500 years people have travelled here seeking a better life in the 'land of opportunity'. The land was fought over by colonial powers for centuries and finally won its independence from Britain in 1783. Despite the near annihilation of the Native American population, one of the bloodiest civil wars the world had seen, and racism (Native Americans were not granted citizenship until 1924 and racial segregation was the norm until as late as the 1950s), the American people have succeeded in forging one of the worlds most united, democratic and tolerant nations, a fascinating melting-pot of cultures, and the undisputed military and economic heavyweight of the world.

The country is made up of 48 contiguous states of the continental USA, plus the huge state of Alaska, northwest of Canada, and the volcanic islands of Hawaii, 2,000 miles (3,219km) out into the Pacific. There are also the US territories, which include Puerto Rico, Guam, American Samoa, the Midway Islands and US Virgin Islands. Tourism is focused mainly in the great cities such as New York and Washington, as well as sunshine states such as Florida, California and Hawaii. However the mind-blowing landscapes, found in the wealth of magnificent National Parks like Yosemite, Yellowstone and the Adirondacks, as well as spectacular sights like the Grand Canyon and the Rocky Mountains, are what make the USA so unique. With all this on their doorstep, it's easy to understand why most Americans have never bothered getting a passport.