Philadelphia: Overview, History, Landmarks and Civic Profile
Philadelphia, nicknamed Philly, is Pennsylvania's largest city and a major U.S. cultural, historical, and economic center with rich colonial history and iconic landmarks.
Overview
Philadelphia is a major American city long known by the informal name "Philly." It is commonly described as the sixth-largest city in the United States and is the largest municipality in the state of Pennsylvania. The city has a dense urban core and broad metropolitan region. Population counts have varied by decade; for example, figures from the 2010 census placed its residents at roughly one and a half million, making it one of the nation's larger cities.
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Geography and neighborhoods
Philadelphia sits in southeastern Pennsylvania along the Delaware and Schuylkill rivers. Its layout mixes a planned colonial grid in the central districts with older rowhouse neighborhoods and newer developments. Distinct sections include Center City, the Old City historic district, Fishtown, West Philadelphia and South Philadelphia, each with a different cultural character, built environment and local traditions.
History
Founded in the late 17th century by William Penn, Philadelphia grew into a vital colonial port and political center. In the late 18th century it was a focal point for the American Revolution: leading events took place in the city's halls and churches. From 1790 until 1800 Philadelphia served as the temporary capital of the United States before federal government operations moved to Washington, D.C.. The era included landmark civic buildings and the construction of residences such as the early executive mansion often referred to as the White House in historical accounts of the period.
Landmarks and culture
Philadelphia preserves many nationally important historic sites and cultural institutions. Major tourist attractions include the city's historic sites such as the Liberty Bell and Independence Hall, which draw visitors for their Revolutionary-era significance. Beyond history, the city supports vibrant arts scenes, annual festivals, performance venues and a variety of museums devoted to art, science and local history.
Economy, education and institutions
The local economy combines healthcare, education, finance, manufacturing and technology. Renowned universities and medical centers anchor research and training programs and contribute to the city's workforce and cultural life. Philadelphia's culinary scene, markets and neighborhood businesses reflect its ethnic diversity and working-city traditions.
Transport and notable facts
Philadelphia is a regional transportation hub with intercity rail connections, an international airport and an extensive public transit network. Its political and cultural role—once the nation's capital for a decade—historic architecture and ongoing civic institutions make it a frequently studied example of American urban development.
- Historic sites: Independence-era buildings, ceremonial spaces
- Institutions: universities, hospitals, cultural museums
- Neighborhoods: multiple distinct communities with local identity
Geography
Geographical location
Philadelphia is located in the southeastern part of the state of Pennsylvania, between the Schuylkill and Delaware Rivers, about 210 km northeast of Washington D.C., 90 km northwest of Atlantic City, and 180 km southwest of New York City.
Geology
The average height of Philadelphia is 12 meters above sea level. The lowest point in the city is three meters. The highest is Chestnut Hill near German Town at 136 meters above sea level. The city lies on the fall line that separates the Atlantic Coastal Plain from Piedmont.
Climate
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City breakdown
Boroughs
Philadelphia is divided into seven boroughs, similar to the Boroughs in New York, and these in turn are divided into individual neighborhoods. List of boroughs in Philadelphia:
- West Philadelphia
- Center City (Philadelphia)
- South Philadelphia
- Southwest Philadelphia
- Northwest Philadelphia
- North Philadelphia
- Northeast Philadelphia
Some well-known neighborhoods of these boroughs are:
- Germantown (Northwest Philadelphia)
- Chestnut Hill (Northwest Philadelphia)
- Mount Airy (Northwest Philadelphia)
- Frankford (Northeast Philadelphia)
- Chinatown (Center City)
- Roxborough
- Manayunk
- Bridesburg
- Mayfair
- Torresdale
- Tacony
- Rhawnhurst
- Fishtown
- Port Richmond
Neighbouring and surrounding communities
- Camden (New Jersey)
- Bryn Mawr
- Villanova
- Valley Forge
- King of Prussia
- Doylestown
- New Hope
History
Philadelphia is one of the oldest cities in the USA. It was planned by the city's founder William Penn in 1681 as the capital of the Quaker colony of Pennsylvania. Penn gave the new city a biblical name: In Rev. 3:7-13 EU, Philadelphia is the only one of the seven churches that remains fully faithful to the Lamb of God (i.e., Jesus Christ) even in the time of persecution.
In 1683, 13 German Quaker and Mennonite families from Krefeld arrived in Philadelphia on the ship "Concord" and settled in the new suburb founded by Franz Daniel Pastorius called Germantown.
Philadelphia was the second capital of the United States of America (1790-1800), after New York (1788-1790), until the completion of the new capital at Washington, D.C.
Philadelphia is where the Declaration of Independence was adopted and proclaimed on July 4, 1776, as well as the Constitution on July 17, 1787. Until the early 19th century, Philadelphia was also the largest city in the United States, and at times the largest English-speaking city west of London.
From 1838 to 1844, Edgar Allan Poe and his wife Virginia Clemm Poe spent six very productive years in Philadelphia. Initially he was editor of Burton's Gentleman's Magazine, then editor-in-chief of Graham's Magazine. During these years, Poe wrote Ligeia, The Fall of the House of Usher, The Double Murder in the Rue Morgue, and The Gold Bug, among others.
Johannes Nepomuk Neumann, a Bohemian-German priest and missionary, was consecrated Bishop of Philadelphia in 1852. In just eight years in office, he built the foundations for the system of church schools that still exists today in the United States. In 1977, he was canonized by Pope Paul VI, the first U.S. bishop to be canonized. Beginning in 1854, German painter Paul Weber was active in Philadelphia and influenced the Hudson River School.
In 1876, Philadelphia hosted the Centennial Exhibition, the first official world's fair in the United States. Of the buildings, for example, the Memorial Hall in Fairmount Park is preserved.
The famous Liberty Bell, which had previously traveled the country as a symbol of the Wars of Independence, has been back in the city since 1915 and since 2003 has hung in a purpose-built exhibition building; together with Independence Hall, where it once hung, Philadelphia is thus home to two of the most important symbolic sites in the United States.
Philadelphia is home to the oldest post office as well as the first two banks in the United States and America's first zoo.
Philadelphia is home to three properties of outstanding historical significance to American history: Independence National Historical Park, the Edgar Allan Poe National Historic Site, and the Thaddeus Kosciuszko National Memorial. 67 sites have National Historic Landmark status. Independence Hall itself has been a United States World Heritage Site since 1979, and 580 Philadelphia County structures and sites are listed on the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) as of September 22, 2020.
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AlegsaOnline.com Philadelphia: Overview, History, Landmarks and Civic Profile Leandro Alegsa
URL: https://en.alegsaonline.com/art/76417
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