Capital: Harrisburg

State abbreviation/Postal code: Pa./PA

Governor: Ed Rendell, D (to Jan. 2011)

Lieut. Governor: Catherine Baker Knoll, D (to Jan. 2011)

Senators: Bob Casey, D (to Jan. 2013); Arlen Specter, R (to Jan. 2011)

U.S. Representatives: 19

Historical biographies of Congressional members

Secy. of the Commonwealth: Pedro Cortes, D (at the pleasure of the governor)

Executive Deputy State Treasurer: Anthony E. Wagner

Atty. General: Tom Corbett, R (to Jan. 2009)

Entered Union (rank): Dec. 12, 1787 (2)

Present constitution adopted: 1968

Motto: Virtue, liberty, and independence

State symbols:

Nickname: Keystone State

Origin of name: In honor of Adm. Sir William Penn, father of William Penn. It means �Penn's Woodland.�

10 largest cities (2005 est.): Philadelphia, 1,463,281; Pittsburgh, 316,718; Allentown, 106,992; Erie, 102,612; Reading, 80,855; Scranton, 73,120; Bethlehem, 72,895; Lancaster, 54,757, Harrisburg, 47,472, Altoona, 47,176

Land area: 44,817 sq mi. (116,076 sq km)

Geographic center: In Centre Co., 2¹/2 mi. SW of Bellefonte

Number of counties: 67

Largest county by population and area: Philadelphia, 1,463,281 (2005); Lycoming, 1,235 sq mi.

State forests: over 2 mil. ac.

State parks: 116

Residents: Pennsylvanian

2005 resident population est.: 12,429,616

2000 resident census population (rank): 12,281,054 (6). Male: 5,929,663 (48.3%); Female: 6,351,391 (51.7%). White: 10,484,203 (85.4%); Black: 1,224,612 (10.0%); American Indian: 18,348 (0.1%); Asian: 219,813 (1.8%); Other race: 188,437 (1.5%); Two or more races: 142,224 (1.2%); Hispanic/Latino: 394,088 (3.2%). 2000 percent population 18 and over: 76.2; 65 and over: 15.6; median age: 38.0.

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