Since Pennsylvania started out as William Penn's 'Holy Experiment', the state has had a proud history of support for democratic values. The 'city of brotherly love', Philadelphia was the birthplace of the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution, and was the nation's first capital. The state gained the nickname 'the Keystone State' due to its key position amongst America's first 13 states. Gettysburg was the site of one of the most decisive battles of the Civil War.
Pennsylvania has a total area of 45,308 milesē (72,916kmē) and is bordered by the states of New York, New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, West Virginia, and Ohio. The state, with a population of approximately 12,100,000, has its capital in Harrisburg, while its major cities are historic Philadelphia and the steel city, Pittsburgh.
Pennsylvania is also famous as the home of the Pennsylvania Dutch, such as the Amish and Mennonite sects, whose lifestyles have changed little since they settled in the fertile rural areas in the 18th century.
For the visitor, Pennsylvania's landscape is one of hills, plateaus, ridges, valleys, rivers and lakes, which makes for glorious natural attractions, such as the vast Allegheny National Forest and the Pocono Mountains.
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