What Is The Capital Of Pennsylvania?
The state of Pennsylvania is located in the northeastern United States. Harrisburg is the state capital, and is located west of Philadelphia and about 107 kilometers east of the Susquehanna River. The total ares of the city is 11.86 square miles, of which 25% is water.
Harrisburg is known for its diverse population, and was ranked by Forbes in 2010 as the second best place to start a family in the US. Although the city experienced financial problems in 2010, it was ranked as one of the recession-proof metropolitan areas in the country.
History of the capital of Pennsylvania
Native Americans lived in the area now known as Pennsylvania as early ad 3000 B.C. this general area was known as “Pextang” to the inhabitants and served as a resting place for Indian traders moving from the Ohio River.
In 1719, the English merchant, John Harris, Sr. settled there, and bought large tracts of land over a 14-year period. Several years later, his son John Harris Jr. inherited the land and named it Harrisburg, in his memory. It was incorporated after William Malaysia surveyed it and it was subsequently named the capital of Pennsylvania in 1812.
Harrisburg made a significant contribution to the American Civil War due to its strategic proximity to the Susquehanna River. Therefore, the city suffered mild attacks during this period, which slowed industrial growth. But in 1850, the city experienced an industrial boom in the steel industry. Other industries also grew after World War II, and Harrisburg’s industrial growth became stable.
Geography of Harrisburg
West of Harrisburg is the Cumberland Valley and to the east is the Lebanon Valley. To the North is the famous Susquehanna River and the Blue Mountain Ridge. Neighboring counties include Dauphin, Northumberland, Schuylkill, Lancaster, York, Cumberland, Perry, and Lebanon.
Demographics of Harrisburg
According to the United States Census Bureau, Harrisburg has 48,904 residents, making it the tenth largest city in Pennsylvania. More than 50% of the population is black or African American, 30% are of Caucasian descent, 18% are Hispanic and Latino and the remaining small percentage belong to other ethnic groups. It has the largest population of Pennsylvania Dutch. Furthermore, the agency also found out that for every 100 women, there are 88.7 men.