Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania is one of the 13 original states of the United States, joining the Union on December 12, 1787. Nick- named the Keystone State because of its key position (in the middle of the 13) the state has more than its share of historical monuments as reminders of its past. Despite its relatively small size, 33rd in the nation, historically, the state is a giant: Pennsylvania harbors the Liberty Bell, Independence Hall, Valley Forge, Gettysburg and more.

The state was named after Admiral William Penn, whose son, William Penn, founded the colony as a place where communities with religious believes outside the mainstream might live in peace. Thereafter, the state became known as the Quaker State after the 'Society of Friends' ( Quakers, ) the main group of minorities that settled there.

Many 'Quakers' still live in Pennsylvania, congregating in Lancaster County, and most still follow a different lifestyle, side by side the Amish, another religious group that shuns the modern trappings of today for the simplicity of life centuries ago.

Located on the Atlantic east coast, the state is surrounded north by New York and Lake Erie; New York and New Jersey on the east; by Delaware, Maryland and West Virginia on the south; and west by Ohio and West Virginia. Pennsylvania's capital city is Harrisburg and Philadelphia is its largest city.

Travelers arrive from every direction, making tourism the second industry in Pennsylvania next to agriculture. While it's true that historical sites such as Fort Necessity National Battlefield where George Washington fought the French and the Daniel Boone Homestead near Reading where the frontiersman once lived, lure visitors, but they also come to marvel at the landscape, play in the lakes and rivers and go "all aboard" the 30 plus train rides.

Weather is four seasons, creating a multi-colored blanket that rivals with the handmade quilts produced by the talented quilters of Pennsylvania.