Pennsylvania Prowler

How to Become an Entertainment Reporter

admin — Fri, 20 May 2011 13:13:27 +0000

It is not easy to become an entertainment reporter. There is a lot of competition, and there are not very many opportunities available. However, if you love entertainment and also love journalism, this is the job for you. If you have some patience and determination, you can get into this field.

The first thing you want to do is get an education. You will need a degree in either communications or journalism. But getting a degree is not enough if you really want to make it in this field. You will need to gain some real-life experience. A good place to start is to join your college newspaper and become a reporter. It takes a lot of time and practice to learn the skills of becoming an entertainment reporter. This is a very tough job, and you need to be very bold and be able to ask a lot of questions.

To succeed in becoming an entertainment reporter, you will need to have a passion for it. You also have to be a good writer; write articles for an entertainment magazine if you can. It is also a good idea to start with some freelance work. You may want to move to a larger city such as New York or Hollywood. Before you move, be sure to look for a moving company quote.

The perfect way to get started is to apply for an internship. This will look great on your resume and you will gain some valuable experience. Look for jobs wherever you can and be prepared to start at the bottom. It will most likely take you years before you make a name for yourself.

A Quick Look at an Old List of Pennsylvania Entertainment

admin — Wed, 18 May 2011 11:24:38 +0000

Image by thefoxling via Flickr

The history of Pennsylvania is rich and robust, and a number of well-known characters come from the state. With more entries than most previously thought, the list was found to be surprising.

The list here is not complete, but the entire list can be viewed. These are just a few favorites.

Louisa May Alcott – she lived from 1832 – 1888, having completed one of the most popular books ever written, “Little Women.”
Daniel Boone – he lived from 1734 – 1820 and is the founder of two cities; Boonesboro and Boone’s Station in Kentucky, and he later involved himself in American politics as a Virginia Representative and District Magistrate for Missouri.
Tara Lipinski – born in 1982, she became a famous Olympic figure skater and the youngest gold medal winner in history. She won gold in the Olympic Winter Games figure skating competition.
Bill Cosby – born in 1937, Cosby is one of the funniest men alive. First known as an actor he was the first African-American to land a spot in a dramatic TV series, and countless shows and awards followed.
Punxsutawney Phil – he’s ageless – and is PA’s most famous citizen. Each year he arises early in the day to predict the coming of spring on February 2.
Grace Kelly – 1929 – 1982, was an Academy Award winner who married Prince Ranier III of Monaco in 1956 and became Grace, Princess of Monaco.
Reggie Jackson – born in 1946, the American League baseball athlete played mostly on the Oakland Athletics and New York Yankees. During his time on the field he hit 563 home runs.

Enjoying an Island Paradise

admin — Fri, 13 May 2011 21:59:41 +0000

Life can get stressful sometimes. While a lot of people just want to hang around and try to “deal with it,” this isn’t healthy. Sometimes you just need to get away and experience something beautiful. One of the most beautiful places in the world is the Seychelles archipelago. While you might see the beaches and warm weather as something you can find all kinds of places, if you’ve been to the Seychelles, you know the difference.

One of the most popular of all the Seychelles holidays is to take a cruise there. You can simply leave from the cruise port in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and have a simple little cruise down south along the east coast before you break off and cross the Atlantic. While the Internet on a cruise ship is expensive, that’s kind of the idea. Who wants to take a vacation, just to be bogged down with email and all of the other connections we force on ourselves every day? After your cruise and a few days lounging around on the beach, you may just decide that getting online is overrated.

Sun and sand are the natural things you’ll find in the Seychelles, as well as some especially intriguing rock formations carved by the Indian Ocean. As the locals will happily tell you, the Seychelles are about a thousand miles from anything. So you can leave your worries about as far away as the size of the earth will allow, and just take in some good times. When you get back to your regular life, you’ll finally know what your happy place is, so you’ll be able to control your stress level later.

Stress-Free Vacations

admin — Wed, 04 May 2011 21:30:39 +0000

Although a vacation should be the time of your life, vacations can be stressful. From planning everything, to saving up money and executing it all, it can get a little overwhelming. However, there are a few points to keep in mind when planning your next vacation that can help make it a little more stress free.

A well-thought-out vacation starts with a lot of planning. It doesn’t matter if you are scheduled on a trip centered around Seychelles holidays, or a trip to anywhere in the world, you have to do a little work to get to that stress free point. You can start by taking care of the major aspect, your budget. Start with a planner or booklet that you can keep everything together in and make your budget. Once you have a budget that is agreeable to everyone, work on your transportation, activities, date of the trip, and anything remotely related to your vacation.

While it may seem like overkill, you can never be too involved when it comes to planning the perfect vacation. A vacation checklist is simply a tool that can ensure that you don’t forget anything, know your limitations, and have a genuine plan for what to do once you arrive.

Maybe some people can get by with just going on a vacation on the fly, but the best trips are the ones that are well thought out, planned in advance, and looked forward to. Don’t let a lack of planning make your vacation less than it should be. Plan ahead and enjoy the vacation of a lifetime.

Crime and the Economy: an Unpredicted Impact

admin — Fri, 25 Mar 2011 05:25:33 +0000

Is crime going up or down? The news has an agenda to draw in viewers, and tends to do so through fear tactics—inspiring people to watch their broadcasts in order to learn what crimes are taking place where, and how they can better insure their safety. Studies have found a correspondence between the crime rates and fear rates: when one is down, the other is up, and vice-versa. This correlation has led to curiosity regarding other factors and their link to crime, one of which being the state of the economy.
According to the statistics of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, an economic downturn can boost crime rates, namely because of the sense of desperation it rouses in people. The most crime typically occurs, predictably, in the burglary grouping. However, the recent slump in the United States economy has had the opposite effect: as the FBI stated, the crime rate in 2009 decreased in every category, particularly in the scope of burglary.
Analysts looking at this data have been stumped. Their reasoning takes several routes, one of which is that crime constantly fluctuates and is not measurably affected by situations including wars, stock market increases, economic downturns, or cultural discontent. The second justification is that the law has been more powerful and that being involved in crime has become more dangerous, deterring possible criminals. The last reason that criminologists are focusing on involves age statistics; more adolescents commits crimes than older citizens, and the current youth generation makes up a lesser percentage now than any other age group.

Celebrity Worship Syndrome and its Dangers

admin — Tue, 08 Mar 2011 05:25:24 +0000

People have found a new, bizarre form of entertainment: celebrity tracking. Psychiatrists have been following the phenomenon for years and even have a term for it: “Celebrity Worship Syndrome.” It is defined as an unnatural fixation on the lives and activities of the rich and famous, and although it is believed to have always existed in some form, technological innovation has given people the ability to pursue information on celebrities more than ever before. Because this data is readily available, the number of those who enjoy celebrity tracking has noticeably increased in the last decade, and still continues to rise.
Those studying Celebrity Worship Syndrome believe that it appeals to people as a form of escapism; they are able to distract and entertain themselves by following the problems of those that they consider to be better off than themselves. Those who enjoy celebrity tracking are also drawn in by the recent trend of average people becoming famous, mainly due to the increase in and popularity of reality television shows. Celebrity is no longer limited to the wealthy, industrious, or gifted, and the means of growing into a celebrity have accelerated. This circumstance further enthralls people that are fixated on the concept of celebrity, because they feel that they are able to achieve it.
Those analyzing the recent obsession with celebrities warn that it has contributed to general maliciousness in society. Although people have always been captivated by the lure of celebrity life, recent generations are also more critical of them and their lifestyles. It is this ambiguity that sparks discontent and can bring about destructive consequences among fans, particularly those that are engaged in fantasy relationships with celebrities. When a fan becomes this attached, they can feel betrayed by a celebrity when that celebrity makes choice they disagree with, and suffer the same emotional distress that occurs when one loses a friend. Psychiatrists agree that a low level of intrigue regarding the famous is normal, but that when it becomes part of everyday life, mental health is at stake.

The Astonishing Link Between Crime and Weather

admin — Fri, 04 Mar 2011 05:25:20 +0000

Researchers worldwide have recently expressed a shared interest in weather and how it affects the moods of people. This interest was sparked both by an increase in seasonal depression and the current concern of climate change. It has been conventionally understood that all aspects of weather, including amounts of sunlight, wind, temperature, and precipitation are very influential on human disposition, but one study in Germany came to a surprisingly different conclusion.
According to this study, conducted by the Humboldt University in Berlin, these factors did not have a substantial influence on the moods of those surveyed. Many disagree with their findings, arguing that they feel heavily affected by the weather on a daily basis. The conflicting notions on this subject have sparked more interest in it and more studies are in the works.
One such study seeks to discover the impact that long periods of high temperatures can have on crime, based on the belief that when temperatures soar for an extended amount of time, people grow short-tempered and aggressive, and are more likely to commit a crime. A number of law enforcement agencies are compiling their data that evidences a connection between high temperatures and an increase in crime.
Italians have conducted such research on this relationship between heat and crime and are even more specific in their findings: according to a study conducted by La Sapienza University in Rome, the country’s suicide and murder rates increase up to 20 percent when the summer heat takes effect. It is suggested dehydration as the most responsible factor in this dramatic upsurge in crime, based on the belief that the outer layer of the brain requires water to function properly. When a person becomes dehydrated, their brain has trouble regulating negative and aggressive impulses that originate in the deeper parts of brain tissue.

Climate Combat: The Difference Between Climate Change and Global Warming

admin — Thu, 24 Feb 2011 05:25:16 +0000

The ongoing debate regarding climate change and global warming is heating up, and although both topics are controversial and related there is a difference between the two terms. People, particularly journalists and politicians, that treat these two weather phenomena as synonyms are further confusing the issue, and being one that concerns our daily lives and the existence of future generations, it is vital to distinguish between the two.
Climate change is defined as variations in the features of local weather around the world. The data collected to substantiate climate change includes the monitoring of rainfall temperature, amounts of aridity or humidity, currents of air, and any acute weather occurrences. Global warming is the complete warming of the Earth, gradually, and is measured by the median temperature throughout the whole surface. Climate change and global warming possess unique characteristics that sometimes contradict each other; for instance, global warming at all times refers to the heating up of the Earth, whereas climate change can mean warming or cooling of our planet.
It is a fact that for ages the Earth’s weather systems have been known to naturally fluctuate and experience major weather events, including ice ages, a prevalently tropical climate during the time of the dinosaurs, and various other combinations that have formed both our planet’s natural features and weather systems. However, the amount of greenhouse gases created by humans has skyrocketed, initiated by the Industrial Revolutions that took place in the 18^th and 19^th centuries, increasing the amount of carbon dioxide in Earth’s atmosphere. Interestingly enough, these carbon discharges are in proportion with the population’s energy expenditure.
Although the problems of climate change and global warming seem overwhelming processes that cannot be stopped, there are ways to slow them. As President John F. Kennedy aptly recognized, “Our problems are man-made, therefore they may be solved by man.” Educating the world on the differences between these phenomena, their possible effects, and ways to better care for our planet is the crucial step that must first be taken.

Dissecting the Nature of Crime

admin — Fri, 18 Feb 2011 05:25:12 +0000

Crime and geography are clearly linked, but how is this significant? Current research is linking the areas that crimes are committed with the areas that criminals originate from, and the types of crimes that they are committing in order to create a system that informs citizens of the most common crimes in their area, so that they can be prepared and take preventative action. In plain language, data is being mapped to display where shoplifting most commonly occurs, as compared to financial fraud. The majority of criminologists agree that there are several circumstances that combine in order to determine where a crime will take place and what that crime will be. However, specifics on these factors and how to predict them are still developing, and it is uncertain if such forecasts of wrongdoing can ever be correctly produced.
Although both the why and the where are significant, criminologists have come to the conclusion that the where is the inquiry most relevant to their analysis and that it will be the most helpful to citizens. Currently the research is focusing on area patterns of crime and their association with settings and duplications; in other words, what is happening where, and how often, and if the possible perpetrator is involved in other crimes. By conducting such exploration, criminologists hope to capture criminals that are widespread in their illegal pursuits and stop multiple crimes by homing in on the areas that they have concluded are hot spots for specific crime. This data will also help the law enforcement adequately prepare for the type of offenses that they know are taking place in specific areas, so that they do not waste valuable resources.

Wanting the Gory Details: The Human Fascination with Crime

admin — Wed, 09 Feb 2011 05:25:08 +0000

Although crime has always been present in our word, its recent upsurge cannot be denied, nor the fact that humans as a race are intrigued by the concept of violence inherent in crime. Why does crime inspire such curiosity in us, particularly true crime? Historians, detectives, authors, and average citizens alike are still drawn to the case of Jack the Ripper, even though his morbid reign as a serial killer occurred more than a century ago. There are hundreds of websites dedicated to this mystery, many of which make arguments for who might have been the feared Jack, despite the fact that any and all suspects are long deceased.
Likewise, there are hundreds of websites and online libraries dedicated to relating other true crime stories, most popularly those of the Boston Strangler, Jeffrey Dahmer, Ted Bundy, the BTK Killer, and Charles Manson. People naturally gravitate toward the gruesome details of these cases, despite their senses urging them to look away.
This same strange urge to know the worst is what drove sales of the dark works of Edgar Allen Poe and Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s mysteries during the 19^th and 20^th centuries. Historians analyzing human psychology have come to the conclusion that people have always been drawn to the gory details because we characteristically want to know how, and then why. As conjecture and chatter on true crime stories expands, everyone wants to contribute their opinion as to why the crime was committed, creating an overall desire to know the elements of the crime itself.
This fascination, which has always existed, is particularly manifest in contemporary society, where these websites, detective novels, television specials, and movies emphasizing the acts of crime and investigation of crime hook spectators. The media has taken advantage of this obsession and emphasizes the occurrence of crime in daily life, further feeding the addiction. This cycle will never cease because crime will always exist and people will always be fascinated, thriving on the terror and diversion that crime stories provide.

Plan Your Vacation

admin — Sun, 06 Feb 2011 06:27:29 +0000

Image via Wikipedia

So you’ve decided to visit the Keystone State. As one of the original thirteen colonies and a cornerstone of the nation’s industry, Pennsylvania offers a wide variety of things to do for individuals, couples and families. With so many options for the perfect Pennsylvania vacation, where does the traveler turn? How do learn what your options are?

In this day and age, the first place to always turn is the Internet. A quick Google search of “Pennsylvania” will give you an idea of the options. Now that you know you prefer to holiday in the eastern part of the state, it is time to narrow down that destination even more. In fact, didn’t your neighbor go to college in eastern Pennsylvania? Asking friends and family their top places to go is always a great idea. They not only know the area as well as the specific destination better than you, they know you. They may have loved visiting the smoldering ruins of Centralia but they know that with your asthma you would absolutely hate it. Use these people and their knowledge and fine tune your potential destinations even more.

Once you have it narrowed down to a few choice places it is time to send away for some brochures. Having all the options laid out in front of you at the kitchen table is the best way to compare and contrast all the possible destinations. Do you want to have a world class beer at Monk’s Café in Philadelphia or would you rather visit the Hershey factory in the town of the same name? Putting their shiny and glossy brochures in front of you places their pros and cons on stark relief and can truly help you make the most informed decision as to the best place for you and your family.

The Elixir of Football

admin — Fri, 04 Feb 2011 05:25:04 +0000

As revered coach Tom Landry said, “Football is an incredible game. Sometimes it’s so incredible it’s unbelievable.” For some fans, what is even more unbelievable is the annual football season drawing to a close. The Super Bowl is simultaneously the climax and the conclusion of the season and often brings fans as much bliss as it does sorrow. The fact that it typically falls in February, a month notorious for being a drab and torturous, not quite winter but not quite spring, and with nothing much in it to celebrate, intensifies the despair of fans. Sunday Night Football and Monday Night Football are solid events and create an atmosphere of excitement; plans do not need to be made, because the NFL has made them for the fans. This end creates a sense of emptiness for some fans, usually those that are the most dedicated to the sport because they have no outlet for their passion.
Sports are important in everyday life, and not just as a form of entertainment. It is necessary to have an enthusiasm for something that has nothing to do with our real lives. Participation in an the following of sports has always been essential because it is something bigger than you, something that diverts and uplifts, and in many ways brings the nation together. Sports possess a democratic nature, because participation is free, unpredictable, and controlled both by rules and imagination. Football, rapidly taking over American life, preys on the reality of boredom and the appeal of sports as an elixir for whatever ails you.
The lull at the end of football season may be dreaded by the fans, but it is necessary to the sport in general because it sparks anticipation for the upcoming season. The cycle is necessary to propel the sport; if national football was constant, interest would diminish. Fans must maintain their faith in the sport, and hold out for the incredible and unbelievable features.

The Undying Appeal of the Theatre

admin — Thu, 27 Jan 2011 05:25:28 +0000

Entertainment has manifested numerous forms and changed over time in order to best appeal to the wants of the masses. Modern entertainment revolves around instant gratification. This desire for prompt satisfaction has driven the current obsession for faster computers, more capable cell phones, and a wide variety of entertainment via the television. Entertainment early in the 20^th century demanded more patience and concentration because it required more active involvement from its participants. These slower, more direct forms of entertainment include such things as poker games, going to an art show, reading comic strips, or even going for a drive in an Oldsmobile. The common link between then and now is the theatre; attending a show at the theatre is the form of entertainment that has not yet been annihilated by prevailing technology, and probably never will be.
Like entertainment itself, the theatre has had its flourishes and declines throughout its long history. Theatre has been traced back to 6^th century Greece and has enjoyed widespread popularity ever since. Theatre became highly commercialized after Shakespeare helped promote it through his plentiful and beloved plays, which were available to all classes of society. Between the 18^th and 20^th centuries plays evolved to include themes revolving around commonplace people, the critical review was invented, and the theatre has been a success ever since, even in the face of modern attractions.
Alongside the current lure of rapid technological entertainment, the theatre continues to appeal to people. Although movies are more widely available and cost less than attending a play, the human drama that occurs on stage is unlike anything captured on the screen. Acting in person has an appeal unlike any other in the entertainment industry, and will continue to thrive, despite modern developments in new forms of diversion.

The Necessity of Entertainment in Everyday Life

admin — Tue, 25 Jan 2011 05:24:52 +0000

Entertainment is an indispensible part of everyday life everywhere in the world. Entertainment is a wide-ranging term and means different things for different people, but it has always been and will always be necessary. Long before entertainment became an industry, cultures have found ways to amuse and enjoy themselves, whether physically, mentally, or socially. Originally, entertainment was not thought of or labeled as such, but was a natural part of daily life that normally took place when the day’s work was completed. Entertaining activities included anything from drawing pictures in the mud to dancing to debating political issues with friends.
These activities provided diversion from the demands of life and gave people something to look forward to. It does not have a practical function, but rather exists only to please. However, as entertainment has become more widespread and available through mainstream technology, it has had unexpected effects, both positive and negative. Under the beneficial consequences category, entertainment helps relieve stress on people, may better inform them, and help them participate in community activities and make new friends. As for negative results, entertainment has contributed to harmful stereotypes, misrepresentations of the world, and an addiction to constant entertainment, that may lead to idleness.
An understanding of what entertainment means and the various forms it comes in can help in balancing appropriate entertainment and the right amount of it so that it remains in its proper place and does not come to define people’s lives; to be entertainment, it should provide temporary amusement from the rigors of everyday efforts. It should also be varied in its form, and not be entirely social, or entirely physical, or entirely mental, but rather a combination of all of these. From its basic beginnings, entertainment has boomed into its own gigantic trade that comprises of such activities as recruiting actors, writing music, and drawing cartoons. It is widely available and in thousands of formats to match the needs of every individual.

National Identity: The Formation of America’s Top Sports

admin — Sun, 16 Jan 2011 05:24:59 +0000

Sports in the United States have evolved and the sport that is dubbed “America’s favorite” has changed several times. Sports have been a substantial aspect of American culture, and the U.S. has created their unique version of three sports that remain popular today, both spectator and participation-wise. These sports are baseball, American football, and basketball. Baseball was developed from a British game known as rounders, and can be traced back to documents describing it being played in the United States as early as the late 18^th century, not long after the nation earned its independence. Half a century later, clubs were founded that would later grow into leagues. It is perhaps the tie with America’s early history that made baseball “America’s pastime,” a mantle that some argue has recently been passed to football.
American football was generated through a merging of several similar British sports, and became popular at American colleges during the beginning of the 19^th century. Leagues were later formed and in 1920 the American Professional Football Association, which soon became known as the National Football League, or NFL, was officially founded and has been a prevailing American sport ever since.
Basketball was not derived from any other country, but rather originated in the most American of places: the YMCA in Massachusetts. Stuck inside due to the bitter New England winter, a professor improvised the game for his students, using a football and a wicker basket nailed to the wall. It was known as “basket ball” from the get-go, and was dispersed to other YMCAs across the country. Although efforts were made to form clubs, nothing lasted until the sport’s popularity at colleges advocated the formation of a national league in the mid-twentieth century. It would later become the National Basketball Association.
Baseball, football, and basketball, with their unassuming beginnings in the United States, have come to define current sports in the country—sports that have become globally known and popular.

Hershey, PA is Pure Sweetness

admin — Sun, 09 Jan 2011 05:24:56 +0000

Just about everyone loves chocolate, right? Well, if you’re planning a trip to Pennsylvania, make sure that visiting the town of Hershey is on your list of things to do. The city is home to the Hershey Company, founded in 1894 by Milton Hershey, and you’ll find the name Hershey on just about everything. Who wouldn’t want to visit? For the chocolate lover in your family, Hershey, Pennsylvania could be considered heaven.

The Hershey Chocolate is a big one at two million square feet, making it the largest chocolate factory anywhere in the world. As you expect, the plant produces nearly all of the chocolate bought and sold for Valentine’s Day each year. Visiting the plant in the few months before this holiday can be interesting, as you’ll get to see everything that goes into the creation of the Valentine’s Day candy.

Hersheypark Amusement Park is one of the most popular amusement parks on the east coast. The park is open from May to September and draws large crowds over the summer months. Hersheypark has wooden rollercoasters, as well as newer steel coasters. Visitors can play a multitude of carnival games, ride smaller carnival rides, and sample a variety of foods.

Hotel Hershey is one of the most popular hotels in Pennsylvania. The building has 278 rooms of different sizes and sits on a hill just outside of town. If you’re lucky, you’ll be able to see most, if not all, of Hershey from your room!

While Hershey, Pa is most famous just for the chocolate it produces, the city bears many other interesting attractions. If you’re ever in town, take in as much as possible. You won’t be disappointed!

Towering Pennsylvania Attractions

admin — Tue, 04 Jan 2011 05:24:54 +0000

The eastern state of Pennsylvania offers some wonderful and interesting tourist attractions, such as Gettysburg, the Liberty Bell, and many buildings designed by Frank Lloyd Wright, among many others. Some of the most popular attractions in Pennsylvania are the numerous towers throughout the state’s countryside. If you’re planning a trip to Pennsylvania, visiting a few of these towers can be fun, educational, and will provide some great photo opportunities.

In Washington Crossing Historic Park, you’ll find the Bowman’s Hill Tower. Constructed in 1931, this tower stands at 125 feet. A trip to the top provides one of the most beautiful views of the surrounding area, including the Delaware river.

The Bicentennial Tower in Erie, Pennsylvania was built in 1995 in honor of Erie’s 200^th anniversary. The structure is 138 feet tall and allows visitors an elevator ride to the top observation deck for a great view of the countryside. Erie is also home to the Tom Ridge Environmental Center Tower located on Peninsula Drive. Opened just a few years ago in 2006, the facility includes a 75-foot tower that affords gorgeous views of Lake Erie.

Pittsburgh, the city of industry, is home to the entirely stone Cathedral of Learning Tower. Located on the campus of the University of Pittsburgh, this tower is one of the tallest in the world and is built in the Gothic style of architecture.

In Valley Forge, Pennsylvania, a city full of history, the National Patriot’s Bell Tower stands as part of the Washington Memorial Chapel. The tower is one of the most popular in the state and was partly constructed by the Daughters of the American Revolution.

Important facts on Pennsylvania

admin — Fri, 31 Dec 2010 05:58:02 +0000

: Image by veni markovski via Flickr

A United Sates Commonwealth State, Pennsylvania is located in the North-eastern region of the US and occupies the Middle Atlantic regions. Harrisburg is its state capital located on the Susquehanna River. To its south lie the States of Maryland and Delaware, while New York and Ontario (Canada) lie to the north of it. To its east is New Jersey while Ohio lies to its west and West Virginia in the southeast. Among the topmost populous States of Pennsylvania are Pittsburgh, Erie, Philadelphia and Allentown. The coastline of Pennsylvania is 82 square kilometers along Lake Erie while the shore line extent along the estuary of Delaware is 92 square kilometers. The north-south extension of Pennsylvania is 274 km while the east-west extension is 283 km. the total area of this Commonwealth State is 119,282 square kilometers. Mason-Dixon Line and the Delaware River are among the bounds of the State. In terms of area it ranks 33rd in the United States.

Pennsylvania is the only one State to not border the Atlantic Ocean from among the original Thirteen Colonies. The other important cities of Pennsylvania are Reading, Lancaster, Bethlehem, Easton, Hazleton, Wilkes-Barre and Williamsport. Pennsylvania is characterized by a diverse topography and it is the reason for its variation in climate. Majority of regions in Pennsylvania experience a humid continental climate barring the south-eastern corner. There is a considerable trace of humid subtropical climate in Greater Philadelphia that includes parts of Maryland and Delaware to the south. There is marked change in the climate as one enters towards the interior parts of the State that is mountainous. Here, it is colder and characterized by more number of cloudy days and snowfall also increases. The precipitation level is uniform and plenty all over the State all throughout the year. There is high snowfall in the western areas.

A Historic Look on the Legendary State of Pennsylvania

admin — Tue, 28 Dec 2010 05:57:12 +0000

The earliest inhabitants of the State of Pennsylvania were the Europeans. Both the English and the Dutch asserted their demand for the land on either sides of the Delaware River, claiming it as part of their regal lands in America. The first possession was taken over by the Dutch and that led to a profound impact on the history and culture in Pennsylvania. Then, Sweden established its supremacy partly in certain regions of the land and it led to the settlement of a few Swedish colonies, mostly in the lower part of the Delaware River region. In 1664, the Duke of York, James was given a Grant by the King of England, Charles II that comprised lands of the Grant given to Virginia Company of Plymouth as well as some other parts. This came in conflict with the claims of the Dutch for New Netherland that comprised parts of present Pennsylvania.

During the later part of 1664, part of the Grant that is present day New Jersey was sold to George Carteret and John Berkeley by the Duke of York. The conquest of New Netherland by the English was started with the coercion of New Amsterdam to surrender in New York Harbor. This conquest was completed in about two months after the capture of Fort Casimir or the present day New Castle, Delaware. The Peace of Breda that was finalized between France, England and the Netherlands asserted the successful English conquest in 1667, in spite of temporary reversions.

In 1672, the Dutch were able to re-conquer New York Colony during the Third Anglo-Dutch War. This led to the establishment of the three County Courts that later became real counties in the present day States of Delaware and Pennsylvania. It was only later that one of them – Upland was transferred to Pennsylvania. After the Treaty of Westminster, the situation was partially reversed and with the end of the Third Anglo-Dutch War, the English kept hold of the Dutch Counties and also retained the Dutch names. Sometime later, New York regained control over the remote colonies that included Upland and even later the names also began to alter into English names.

Pennsylvania – From the Lenses of a Historian

admin — Sun, 26 Dec 2010 05:56:04 +0000

With the end of the Third Anglo-Dutch War fought over the claim of the respective sides on the colonies in Pennsylvania, the Treaty of Westminster was signed and it led the English to gradually exercise control on the far-flung colonies as well as Upland, the terribly disputed zone. It was in 1674 that Upland was partitioned and it produced the broad outline of the present border shared between Delaware and Pennsylvania. In 1681, William Penn was granted a land contract by the King of England, Charles II. This was for repayment of a debt by the King which he had owed to Admiral Penn, the father of William Penn. History has it that this was one of the largest ever land grants given to any individual. In honor of Admiral Penn, the land was called Pennsylvania that means “Penn”s Woods. However, William Penn had an intention of naming the province as “Sylvania” to avoid misunderstanding of any egotistical claims on his part by the people but the King was steady regarding the original name. Later, Penn set up a government with two improvements that were imitated to a large extent in the New World: the liberty of religious conviction and the county commission. The Upland portion of Pennsylvania was replaced by the name Chester County after Pennsylvania founded their colonial governments in 1681.

Between 1730 and 1764, in order to accommodate for the acute shortage of real silver and gold, Pennsylvania Colony produced its indigenous paper money. It was called as Colonial Scrip. Pennsylvania issued “bills of credit” that were at par with silver and gold coins due to their authorized tender status. It was an interest-free scheme as it was issued not by any banking institution but by the government itself. It helped in defraying taxation from the people and also the expenses of the government. It also led to the promotion of employment and prosperity as the currency was not inflated too much.

Demographics of Pennsylvania

admin — Fri, 24 Dec 2010 05:55:07 +0000

The center point that describes the status of the overall population in the State of Pennsylvania is situated in Perry County. It is in the region of Duncannon. The census of 2006 places the population of Pennsylvania at 12,440,621. Net migration to Pennsylvania stands at 98,289 since 2000. There was a visible decrease of 100,000 in the native population owing to migration. 621,480 people in the population were found to be foreign born. The estimated poverty rate is 11.9%. The proportion of elderly (65+) population is considerably high in Pennsylvania.

The foreign born citizens of Pennsylvania are mainly from Asia, Europe, Latin America, North America and Oceania, the first three groups comprising the maximum density. The stated population of Hispanics in Pennsylvania, particularly among the Hawaiian, White races and the Asians has seen a marked increases in the recent years. The population of these Hispanics is greatest in Lancaster, Reading, Allentown, Hazleton and Philadelphia where their population is over 20%. In a more recent survey of 2010, it has been reported that approximately 85% of the Hispanics in Pennsylvania reside within a radius of 150 miles around Philadelphia and around 20% of them live within the city premises. It is however inconclusive about the changing ways of the Hispanics or their participation in the mainstream society and efforts to self-identify their minority status. The under-18 population was found to be 23.8% of the total population and that of the under-5 age group was 5.9%. As has been stated earlier, the elderly population comprises a large portion of the total population and this fact has been reflecting itself as a minor hindrance in the economy of the State. German, Irish and Italian ancestry groups constitute the larger percentage of people. Other prominent groups in Pennsylvania are the African Americans, English, Polish and French.

Fact File on Pennsylvania

admin — Wed, 22 Dec 2010 05:53:16 +0000

Because of its central location among other original Thirteen Colonies that formed the United States and also due to the signing of several key American documents (including the Declaration of Independence) in the State, Pennsylvania is referred to as the Keystone State from 1802. Economically too, the State has had a lot of importance in terms of agriculture and industry initiatives producing from fiber, feed, tobacco and food to rifles and Conestoga wagons. The other famous nickname of Pennsylvania is the “Quaker State”.

Even during the colonial times, the State was officially known as the Quaker Province. It was mainly due to the recognition of Quakers by the First Draft of the Constitution for the government of Pennsylvania by William Penn that led to guaranteeing of the liberty of conscience. He was aware of the hostilities faced by the Quakers on their opposition to the rigid religious rituals, violence and wars and what was referred by them as brazen frippery. During various times, other nicknames like”The Oil State”, “The Steel State”, “The Chocolate State” and “The Coal State” also came up. The more recent one that has caught the imagination is “The State of Independence” that is seen on a number of road signs on entering Pennsylvania.

Virtue, liberty and independence are the State motto of Pennsylvania and the State capital is Harrisburg. The White-tailed deer is the State animal while Ruffed Grouse is the State bird of Pennsylvania. Hemlock is the recognized State tree while the State flower is the Mountain Laurel. The State dance is the famous Polka and the State soil is Hazleton. The State beverage is milk and the State fish is Brook Trout. The Crown vetch is the State Beautification Plant. Great Dane is the State dog and the Pennsylvania firefly is the State insect.

Few Reasons to Travel to Pennsylvania

admin — Mon, 20 Dec 2010 05:52:02 +0000

There are a number of people who generously refer to the State of Pennsylvania as the snack food capital on earth. Even the author, Sharon Hernes Silverman calls it so in his famous book called, Yo Mama Cooks Like a Yankee. Among all other States of US, Pennsylvania leads in the production of potato chips and pretzels. In fact, Pretzel was introduced to America by the Sturgis Pretzel House and the other leading manufacturers of the same are the Intercourse Pretzel Factory, Snyder’s of Hanover and Anderson Bakery Company. Two of the topmost three companies manufacturing potato chips in the United States are based in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. They are the Wise Snack Foods that started making potato chips in Berwick way back in 1921 and also the Utz Quality Foods that had begun the process of manufacturing chips in Hanover of Pennsylvania in 1921. The other top company producing potato chips is Lay’s based in Texas. Other popular chip manufacturers include Martin’s Potato Chips, Troyer Farms Potato Products, Herr Foods and Snyder’s of Berlin.

In Hershey of Pennsylvania lies the popular U.S. chocolate industry with major ones like Godiva, Wilbur Chocolate Company and Mars nearby. There are also a number of smaller manufacturers like Gertrude Hawk of Dunmore and Asher’s near Lansdale. Among other notable companies, Boyer Brothers of Altoona, PA is famous for Mallo Cups and so also is Benzel’s Pretzels. In Bethlehem, PA is located Just Born, makers of Mike and ikes and Hot Tamales. Auntie Anee’s Pretzels started off as a market-stand somewhere in Downingtown PA and now has gone on to establish its corporate headquarters located in Lancaster City. Traditional Dutch foods of Pennsylvania comprise schnitz un knepp, fasnachts, pretzels, scrapple, bologna, chicken potpie and chow-chow. There is another famous traditional Dutch food called Shoofly in Pennsylvania.

All You Need to Know About Pennsylvania

admin — Sat, 18 Dec 2010 05:50:22 +0000

The State of Pennsylvania owes its subsistence to the Quakers as well as many older trappings of Commonwealth that are rooted in the wisdom of the officially recognized Religious Society of Friends. However, the practicing Quakers are only a small minority in the State today. Pennsylvania has a fair amount of Amish population but the largest Amish population on earth exists in Holmes County, Ohio. When one uses the term “Dutch”, it refers to the Pennsylvanian Dutch that means “Teutonic”or “German”, not”Netherlander”. Actually, Germans call themselves as “Deutsch” in their own language that in English misleadingly became “Dutch”. The language, Pennsylvanian Dutch is in fact a descendent of the German language belonging to the dialect family of West Central German. Some Mennonites and Old Order Amish citizens still use it as a first language especially in the area around Lancaster County. Otherwise, the Pennsylvanian language is almost close to extinct as a local language among the non-religious people in Pennsylvania. However, a few words from Pennsylvanian Dutch language have migrated into the English language too.

Pennsylvania’s Gross State Product or GSP in 2008 accounted to $553.3 billion. In fact it ranks sixth in the entire United States. Had Pennsylvania been an independent country, its economy would have ranked as the eighteenth largest one in the world. The per-capita GSP of Pennsylvania is $35,641 and it ranks twenty-sixth among the other 50 States in the United States. Much of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is rural though. The result of this dichotomy is the negative impact on State politics and the State economy as well. There are six Fortune 500 companies in Philadelphia. Many more important and reputed ones are located in the suburbs like the King of Prussia which also happens to be a leader in the insurance and financial industry.

Banking and Industry Status of Pennsylvania

admin — Thu, 16 Dec 2010 05:49:31 +0000

There are a large number of urban manufacturing centers in and around the State of Pennsylvania. The prominent ones are in Pittsburg, Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, Scranton-Wilkes-Barre and Erie. However a disadvantage lies in the fact that much of the State of Pennsylvania is rural and this has resulted in a dichotomy that has affected the State politics and the economy of Pennsylvania as well. There are six Fortune 500 companies based in Pennsylvania too and there is huge potential in the region as has been witnessed throughout history. In Pittsburgh, there is PPG Industries, H.J. Heinz and U.S. Steel while Erie has within its fold the GE Transportation Systems that happens to be the largest train locomotives producer in the entire United States of America. As is common to most other States of America as well as in the US itself, Wal-Mart is the largest private job provider in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania that is followed in terms of employment by the University of Pennsylvania. The most recent survey in of January 2010 placed Pennsylvania’s unemployment rate at 8.8%.

The bank of North America, the first nationally chartered bank of the United States was established in Philadelphia in 1781. Following a series of mergers, this Banks is now part of Wachovia that employs national charted 1. However after the acquisition of Wachovia by Well Fargo, the immediate fate of the Bank of North America remains uncertain. Under the National Banking Act of 1863, the first nationally chartered bank also came up at Pennsylvania. It was in that year that the Savings and Trust Company of Pittsburgh obtained a national charter and was renamed as the First National Bank in Pittsburgh as an integral part of the National Banking Act. Even today, this Bank exists by the name, PNC Financial Services and that too in Pittsburgh.

Pennsylvania – Come, Let Your Hair Down

admin — Tue, 14 Dec 2010 05:48:35 +0000

The State of Pennsylvania has made a lot of contribution to the economy of the United States. Pittsburgh is known as the iron capital of the world and there are a number of heavy industries contributing to the huge number of exports undertaken by the United States. Had Pennsylvania been an independent country, things would have been a lot different as it plays a major role in the industry sector contribution in the global economy. Nevertheless, the GSP it generates and the job opportunities it provides are more than enough as indicators of a booming economy in the State.

Pennsylvania ranks 19th in overall agricultural production and first in production of mushrooms. In terms of Christmas trees and layer chickens production, it ranks third and eighth in winemaking. In milk, corn for grapes, silage and horses production, it comes fourth and also it ranks fourth in nursery and sod production. In 2004, Casino gambling was legalized in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Presently, there are nine working casinos in the State while three are in the pipeline. Only slot machines, horse racing and electronic table games were made legal in Pennsylvania and a Bill for the legalization of table games was under discussion. In the month of January, 2010 poker, black jack, roulette and dice were also legalized by the State Legislature and it was duly signed by the Governor on 7th January, 2010. Sports betting is however still illegal. The Governor of Pennsylvania, Ed Rendell was considering the legalization of video poker machines in private clubs and bars as according to estimates, there are some 17,000 illegal operations of such video poker machines in the State of Pennsylvania. As per the plan, any institution having a liquor license shall be allowed up to a maximum of 5 video poker machines.

Jersey Shore: Pine Creek Rail Trail

admin — Mon, 13 Dec 2010 05:47:54 +0000

If you are looking for the ultimate dose of nature and have come to Pennsylvania to look for it, then you will not be disappointed with the number of options available here. One place that you cannot miss ever when visiting Pennsylvania is the Pine Creek Trail. This is a 63 mile creek trail in Jersey Shore. The entire road is covered with gravel instead of a tar road. The winds here are running throughout the year. This trail leads between the Pine Creek George which is in one work just amazingly beautiful.

You can either bike, hike, drive or ski cross country, Any mode of transportation you chose to use, you will not be disappointed with the abundant beauty this place has to offer. You can also find horseback riding here, if that is what pleases you. But most people who visit this place prefer to hike through this region. This route was a common route for American Indians for thousands of years and you will be following in their footsteps. A rail road which was completed in 1883 passes through this creek. This was a major rail line between the mountains of narrow Guage. This track has been instrumental in the development of Georgia. It has been quite useful to increase the migration of people from other parts of America to this part. It was initially only used for transportation of coal and wood to other parts of the state and America. When one is moving through this creek, she will see some remarkable landscape that has a majority of hardwood, red pine, American yew and conifer trees. There are multiple water falls along with rock outcrops in the streams that add to the beauty of this place. You can also spot wildlife such as bald eagles, deer, coyotes, ospreys and herons here.

Wildwater kingdom of the Dorney Park

admin — Sat, 11 Dec 2010 05:46:56 +0000

: Image via Wikipedia

Dorney Park is located in the Countryside of Philadelphia. This place is home to a theme park based on cartoon characters created by Charles Schulz for newspaper peanut cartoon strip. This park has all the famous characters of the peanuts strip like Lucy, Charlie Brown, Linus, Snoopy and Sally. Adult and youngsters alike flock to this place to get the feeling of being between some old and friendly pals.

The Dorney Park is home to about 100 shows, rides and attractions. It sits on more than 200 acres of land amid forests and colorful attractions. The current famous attraction is the Voodoo roller coaster which has raised a lot of controversy because of its risk nature. If you want water rides, then you cannot miss them here. This place has some of the best water rides in American history. The Pennsylvanian heat makes these water rides more perfect. Their water rides were constructed by scientists and experts from all over the world. If you don’t like fast water rides and roller coasters, then you can easily find something else to suit your taste. There are milder amusements such as steam replica engines that give a romantic experience. Swan rides are also found here that will make people come here twice just for these rides, especially teenagers. This park has some award winning rides that amusement park junkies come here to experience adrenaline rush. There are also video games, arcades, and the conventional rides that make this place so much better for everyone. Even under age children will enjoy the collection of safe and convenient rides that this place has to offer. This place has many places to stay and many hotels that offer services especially for these parks. It is a full day enjoyment for the entire family and has lots to offer.

Abington Art Center

admin — Fri, 10 Dec 2010 05:46:08 +0000

Pennsylvania has something to offer for everyone from beautiful lakes for water sports and large forests for hikers and nature buffs. For Art lovers, Pennsylvania has many art centers that will cater to every need. One such Abington Art Center is a non-profit culture center in Jenkintown, Philadelphia. It is located in the central suburban area where most of the cities great architecture is located. Abington Art Center I meant for the display of art pieces belonging to new and upcoming artists along with experienced artists. This place is meant for artists to indulge in any kind of art they please.

Abington Art Center also has regular visiting hours along with student courses in art that will help mold the new generation of artists. This place comes highly recommended on any artists list of must see places. It has some remarkable pieces of art. It was founded in 1939. The earlier name of this place was York Road Art Guild. Their motto is to make art more approachable, engaging and lots and lots of fun. It has a nationally recognized garden which displays sculptures from all places in America. People come here from all around America to view the unique sculptures. Pieces of art are added every year to the list which increases the size of this center. Some of the most unique elements in an piece of art from Richard Metz. Other works by famous designers such as Doug Mott are also a part of the art collection here. There are paintings that belong to Steven Baris along with pieces from Virginia Bradely and Juri Kim. Saturday and Sundays there are special tours that are tagged along with a guide. There are also monthly art workshops known as EUREKA that involve every member of the family in the fun exhibits and making art together.

The Structure of the State of Pennsylvania

admin — Wed, 08 Dec 2010 05:45:04 +0000

The State of Pennsylvania is having an amusing history and the way it has crawled up to the top of the ladder in the fields of industry and agriculture, is truly inspiring. PNC Financial Services is the largest bank of Pennsylvania and it is also the fifth largest in the entire United States. From its inception as a part of the United States, Pennsylvania has had a total of five constituencies throughout its statehood. Before that, Pennsylvania was governed by a Frame of Government for a century and there were four versions of the same in those four years. The State capital is Harrisburg, where the Legislature of the State meets. If one studies thorough the recent trends in Pennsylvania, it can be safely concluded that the State is inclining towards the Democratic. However, a Republican takeover is also on the cards and the possibility of a large political upheaval in Pennsylvania cannot be dismissed.

The Governor of Pennsylvania went on to pass a record legislation bill that legalized gambling but sports- betting is still illegal in the State. In fact, the Governor made a valiant attempt to even legalize the prevalent video poker machines in Pennsylvania because there are already so many in the State that operates illegally. According to the plan, all the video poker machines shall be linked to Pennsylvania’s computer system as it happens in the case of the commercial casinos. On the net gambling revenues thus generated, the State plans to impose a 50% tax. This is in accordance with the rule of payment only after the winning players have been duly paid while the remaining revenue goes into the pockets of the establishment owners. If passed, this would certainly turn out as landmark legislation in the history of United States. Other club games like roulette and gambling on a large number of items has been successfully legalized.

Politicking in the State of Pennsylvania

admin — Tue, 07 Dec 2010 05:44:00 +0000

: Image via Wikipedia

The United States of Pennsylvania has a bicameral legislature that was set up by the Commonwealth’s Constitution way back in 1790. However William Penn’s original Frame of Government had a unicameral one. There are 50 Senators in the General Assembly and 203 Representatives. As of the elections held in 2008, the Democrats only had a narrow majority in the house and so the Republicans could comfortably retain the lead in the Senate of Pennsylvania. The Judicial System of Pennsylvania is unified and is divided into judicial districts numbering to sixty in total. Most of these barring Philadelphia have magisterial district judges and they preside over initial hearings in misdemeanor and felony as also in case of all minor criminal offences and petty civil claims.

The magisterial district judges were earlier called as justices of peace or district judges. Most of the civil as well as criminal cases originate in the Common Pleas Courts that also function as appellate courts for local agency decisions or to the district judges. All the appeals transferred from the Common Pleas Courts are heard by the Superior Court, sometimes called as the Supreme Court or the Commonwealth Court. The Superior Court has the power of original jurisdiction in all matters pertaining to civil and criminal laws so that it can review all types of warrants for wiretap approach. This Superior Court of the State is the ultimate appellate court and all the judges in the State are being elected in a transparent manner but who becomes the Chief Justice of the Superior Court is determined by the seniority status.

It has been found that about 39% of the State’s revenue accounts for sales tax and 34% comes from personal income tax, about 12% comes from the motor vehicle taxes and some 5% is what comes from tax imposition on alcoholic beverages and cigarettes.

Pennsylvania – a political viewpoint

admin — Mon, 06 Dec 2010 05:43:07 +0000

The rate of Personal income tax in Pennsylvania is fixed at 3.07%. There are eight types of income levels used to determine the taxable income tax rate: profession or farm, net gains from rents, patents, copyrights and royalties, estate trust derived incomes, lottery wins or gambling, salary drawn, dividends, net profit from a business. Municipalities, school districts as well as counties impose taxes on real estates. There are also certain local bodies that levy taxes called a wage tax on the personal income of a person.

It has been observed in the last decade that there is no dominant political party establishing dominance in Pennsylvania. This has really manifested the State in becoming an important swing state that is capable of instigating a mighty political upheaval. In the places of Erie County, Philadelphia County, Delaware County, Allegheny County, Northampton County and Luzene County, the Democrats are comparatively stronger but then there are the so-called swing states of Beaver County, Chester County, Mercer County, Berks County, Cambria County, Dauphin County, Bucks County etc. and the Republicans are stronger. Generally, one can conclude that the Democrats are relatively stronger in the large metros like Philadelphia, Erie, Allentown and Pittsburgh while the Republican support swells in the rural areas like Allegheny Mountains and also in all the northern counties. Since a very long time from 1992, the Democrats have been able to establish their supremacy in the area but then after 2010, the trend seems to have been reversed and there has been a major political upheaval that is being witnessed. The ball seems to be in the Republicans court for a while now as the trend has shown but experts say that it is only a matter of time before the other party jumps back into the fray while pushing the other one into oblivion!

A Dream Land for the Tourists – Pennsylvania

admin — Sun, 05 Dec 2010 05:42:12 +0000

The Allegheny Mountains in Pennsylvania is worth a look if you have landed in this State for the very first time. Most of the picturesque on offer are exquisitely beautiful and you will only want to come again and again. There are plenty of opportunities for the adventurous lot too as the State provides places for trekking, mountaineering, cliff diving, bungee jumping, canoeing and rafting etc. There are a number of unique small communities in Central part of the State and they provide you with refreshingly beautiful landscapes and a holiday that you can truly cherish. Travelling through the historic Lincoln Highway, you will get the real feel of the Allegheny Mountains and you will not want to blink even for a fraction of a second. Craft festivals and insect eating fairs are some other indelible experiences on e can have in Pennsylvania. The Amusement parks are also a lot of fun for all age-groups and the museums and Memorials are always there for the more knowledge thirsty lot.

The Raystown Lake also is a place of tourist attraction and it provides you the change you would be looking for after a hectic day of work. The cuisines on offer are also delectable and from Chinese, Thai, Japanese and South Korean to Indian, Turkish and Iranian – you will find everything in the famous food outlets in the cities of Allentown, Lancaster and Philadelphia. Then there are the big industries and companies you can visit from the food-processing industries to the heavier steel and iron industry. It’s a lifetime of an experience to travel thorough all the cities of this 33rd largest State of USA.

Make sure you plan out a long vacation when heading for Pennsylvania as it is not easy to wind up the whole trip in a matter of a handful of days or you will keep regretting until the chance to visit it comes again.

Pennsylvania -a State with multiple facets

admin — Sat, 04 Dec 2010 05:41:12 +0000

With a legendary past and a rich heritage in the backdrop, Pennsylvania occupies a central position among other states of America. Located on the north-eastern region, it is the site of a number of important cities that include Allentown, Philadelphia, Reading and Erie among others. Philadelphia is known as the Quaker city while Pittsburgh is called as the iron and steel capital of the world. The rich heritage of the state attracts tourists from all over the world and helps it earn billions of dollars. The Allegheny Mountains, the Valley Forge National Park, the Gettysburg National Military Park, Independence National Park of Philadelphia, the Delaware Water Gap National Area for Recreation and the Eisenhower farm located near Gettysburg are among the chief attractions in Pennsylvania. The capital of the state, Harrisburg is an important center for trade and commerce. Much of the State of Pennsylvania is rural in nature but the interior part in and around the major cities is urbanized.
The territory of Pennsylvania was a disputed one among the Swedish, the English and the Dutch since the early 1600s. After New York was captured, England took over the region in the year 1664. Later in 1681, the King of England granted the land to William Penn who was a Quaker, thus paving the way for its independence. In 1859, the State’s first oil well at Titusville was dug and soon there was a mining boom that led to the emergence of the state in the iron ore and coal industry. The State leads in the production of specialty steel. Apart from the mining industry, service, retail and manufacturing sectors also provide jobs to the natives. In the production of pharmaceuticals and chemicals, Pennsylvania leads the pack. Also it ranks first in the production of electronic equipment and food products.

Pennsylvania’s Importance With Respect to its Geographical Setting

admin — Fri, 03 Dec 2010 05:39:43 +0000

: Image via Wikipedia

Among the fifty states of USA, Pennsylvania holds a prominent position because of its vast contribution to the economy of the United States. There has been a string of successful industries coming up in the leading cities of the State like Allentown, Reading, Philadelphia and Erie. The State is located at a very useful location ” the north-eastern part. The capital of the State is Harrisburg that is located on the side of the Susquehanna River. The coastline of the State is of 82 km along the Lake Erie and 92 km along the Estuary of Delaware. Pennsylvania borders West Virginia on the southwest and New Jersey to its ease. Also, there is Ohio on the west and Maryland and Delaware to the south. So it has a very suitable location to carry out businesses with the rest of the states and this gives a great boost to the economy of the state. Also, it borders Ontario, Canada on its north and that brings variation in its dealings.
The climate is also mild and uniform throughout except in the interior mountainous parts where the clod increases slightly. During the spring and summer seasons, there may be the subsidence of tornadoes that can be a cause of concern in certain parts. On an average, there are at least 10 tornadoes striking the State every year. The diverse topography of the State brings in the subtle variations seen in the climatic conditions. Generally, it is the humid continental climate that prevails in all the parts but most parts of the city of Philadelphia or the “Quaker City” experience a typical humid subtropical climate. The cloudy days seems to more in the interior parts and there winter snowfall also to a large extent creating problems in transportation and communication. The situation becomes sever near the areas surrounding the Lake Erie.

Pittsburgh – The Hollywood of Pennsylvania

admin — Thu, 02 Dec 2010 05:38:33 +0000

When one thinks about movies, the first place that comes to people’s minds is Hollywood. One place that does not come when people are talking about movies is Pittsburgh. If you have seen a couple of movies in the past year or so, then you certainly must have seen a lot of Pittsburgh. The scene might tell you that it is New York or Washington or somewhere in Tennessee, nut in fact it is Pittsburgh that is modified or shot in a way to look like these places.
The first movie shod by Hollywood here was a movie based in steel mills called as The Deer Hunter. The producers wanted real steel mills to base their movie in, so this search led them to Pittsburgh in 1978. Although there were no deer’s in Pittsburgh, it was chosen for its steel mills and other qualities. After this movie producers just kept coming to this place one after the other. Another movies that really pushed Pittsburgh on the Hollywood map was the movie Flashdance which again came here for its steel mills. To say that Pittsburgh steel mills have been very instrumental in increasing the importance of this place among the Hollywood producers would be an understatement. Another movie which was completely based in Pittsburgh was Robocop one which utilized the steel mills and the back alleys to its fullest. This was about the steel mills, there were horror movies such as the Night of The Living Dead that brought Pittsburgh the undying attention in the eyes of movie buffs that this place requires. Dawn of the Dead was another horror movie that thrilled its viewers. This movie was based in the alleys of downtown Monroeville. The use of the Monroeville Mall was the central climax of the movie where people run from zombies in the mall. Hence Pittsburgh has helped in enriching the cinematic history.

Pennsylvania – Are You Game?

admin — Wed, 01 Dec 2010 05:35:50 +0000

: Image via Wikipedia

There are a number of good professional sports team in Pennsylvania that includes the Philadelphia Eagles, Pittsburgh Pirates, National Football League, the Philadelphia Flyers, Pittsburgh Penguins, the Philadelphia Union, the Erie Bayhawks, Hershey Bears, and Philadelphia Soul etc. Among these teams, they have been able to accumulate an astonishing total of seven World Series Championships, three Super Bowl Series Championships, one Arena Bowl Championship, two NBA championships, five Stanley Cups and sixteen Calder Cups. There are many small league baseball teams that are located in many parts of Pennsylvania and many of these are also associated with the Pirates or the Phillies. For both the Philadelphia Eagles as well as for the Phillies, the Lehigh Valley is a special and major fan base that conducts pre-season training camps. Baseball is hugely popular and golf I also taking up a chunk of the sports arena with increasing popularity of the same.

College football is the other sport very popular among the people of Pennsylvania. It was in Pittsburgh where the Pittsburgh Pirates was being played in 1903. The other important sport is College basketball, particularly in Philadelphia area where there are actually five universities that are collectively referred to as the Big Five and they have a rich tradition of playing competitive basketball games. The La Salle University, Villanova University, Pennsylvania University, Temple University and Pittsburgh University -all of these have won the college basketball titles at sometime or the other. There is a greater fan following for this wonderful sport that marks the American modern culture apart from baseball. Within the State, the other sport that is catching up fast is Soccer. Skateboarding is also a favourite sport among the youth. Motorsports also attracts attention in and around the city circuit. There is this Maple Grove Raceway track near the city of Reading in Pennsylvania that hosts one of the major drag races of the world called the National Hot Rod Association every year.