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Philadelphia

Philadelphia-Travel-Guide-Travel-S-Helper

With a population of 1,603,796, Philadelphia—also known as “Philly”—is the sixth-most populous city in the United States and the most populous city in Pennsylvania according to the 2020 census. This energetic city is the Delaware Valley’s urban core, sometimes known as the Philadelphia metropolitan region. Eighth in size among American metropolitan areas with 6.245 million residents in its metropolitan statistical area and 7.366 million in its combined statistical area, Philadelphia is a vibrant center of history, culture, and activity.

Philadelphia has great and wide historical relevance for the United States. English Quaker supporter of religious freedom, William Penn founded the city in 1682. Under the British colonial system, it first housed the capital of the Pennsylvania Colony. Philadelphia’s historical significance is underlined even more by its central meeting ground for the founding fathers of the country during the American Revolution and the Revolutionary War. The First Continental Congress was held in the city in 1774; since then, the famous Liberty Bell has been kept there. Convened here in 1775, the Second Continental Congress formed the Continental Army and chose George Washington as its commander. Philadelphia adopted the Declaration of Independence unanimously on July 4, 1776.

The Philadelphia campaign of the Revolutionary War saw the city under British control from September 1777 until June 1778. Approval of the U.S. Constitution by the Philadelphia Convention in 1787 confirmed the city’s place in American history. Philadelphia ranked as the biggest city in the United States until 1790. From May 10, 1775, until December 12, 1776, and on four more times until 1800, when the new national capital in Washington, D.C., was finished, it was the first capital of this country.

Philadelphia is still very much influencing music, sports, culture, business, and industry. Comprising 17 four-year universities and colleges, the city is a major center for higher education and scholarly activity. With the most outdoor sculptures and murals nationwide, it is also a national cultural center. Combining Fairmount Park, 2,052 acres, with the nearby Wissahickon Valley Park, this is one of the biggest urban parks in the country.

Philadelphia’s great food, colonial and Revolutionary-era history, and energetic arts and culture draw millions of visitors annually. The 42 million domestic visitors that spent $6.8 billion in Philadelphia and surrounding Pennsylvania counties in 2016 had an economic effect of $11 billion. The city is also well-known for its fervent sports fans; it boasts five professional sports teams and a reputation as one of the best places for those who enjoy such activities.

Philadelphia’s LGBTQ+ community adds to the city’s inclusive and varied environment by being both philanthropically and culturally active. With a focus especially on R&B, soul, and rock, the city has been vital in the development of American music.

As of 2022, the Philadelphia metropolitan area—which boasts five Fortune 500 corporate headquarters—had a gross metropolitan product of $518.5 billion. The city’s proximity to Washington, D.C.’s federal regulatory environment and the entrepreneurial and financial ecosystems of New York City help it to be regarded as one of the Big Five U.S. venture capital hotspots. Since 2008, Nasdaq has owned the Philadelphia Stock Exchange, the nation’s oldest stock exchange and a worldwide leader in options trading.

With 30th Street Station ranking third among all the busiest Amtrak hubs in the country, Philadelphia boasts a strong transportation system. Among the multimodal transportation and logistics facilities of Philadelphia are the fast-growing PhilaPort seaport and Philadelphia International Airport, a major transatlantic gateway and transcontinental hub.

Philadelphia has seen many firsts, including the nation’s first library (1731), hospital (1751), medical school (1765), national capital (1774), university (by some accounts) (1779), central bank (1781), stock exchange (1790), zoo (1874), and business school (1881). Among the sixty-seven National Historic Landmarks in the city is Independence Hall. From its 17th-century founding to the present, Philadelphia has been the birthplace or home of many eminent and powerful Americans.

Time magazine ranked Philadelphia as one of the top 100 destinations worldwide in 2021 and Lonely Planet, a travel guide publisher, as the most sought-after city in the United States in 2023. Philadelphia’s dynamic economy, energetic culture, and rich legacy help to keep the city both nationally and internationally important.

US Dollar (USD)

Currency

October 27, 1682

Founded

215, 267, 445

Area code

1,550,542

Population

134.36 sq mi (347.98 km2)

Area

English

Official language

39 feet (12 meters)

Elevation

Eastern Time Zone (UTC−05:00)

Time zone

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