The lowest part of Colorado is still taller than the highest part of Pennsylvania. However, hills or mountains cover all but two very small parts of the state. One is the Piedmont Plateau, a flat area at the foot of the Blue Mountains. Philadelphia is at its lowest end. The Appalachian Mountains run in a line going southwest to northeast. The Allegheny Mountains are on their west, and the Blue Mountains are on the south and east. Go northeast and you'll hit the Pocono Mountains. The land by Lake Erie is a flatter area called the Allegheny Plateau. About 60 percent of the plateaus, mountains, and hills are covered with forests, and the state has more than 1,000 square miles (1,609 sq km) of natural and man-made lakes, ponds, rivers, and streams.
The Pittsburgh Steelers football team is named after the city's famous steel and iron industries. Natural resources such as coal, natural gas, oil, and limestone are also found in Pennsylvania. The lumber industry has grown because of reforestation (when trees are planted to make up for those that were cut down). Philadelphia is the state's manufacturing center, and industries produce items ranging from communications equipment to ice cream. Apples, grapes, and cherries are grown near Lake Erie, and peaches are grown in the southeast. Pennsylvania is one of the leading producers of mushrooms and milk products. All these products are traded easily because of the excellent waterways.
12,432,792
Capital:
State Abbreviation: PA
Governor: Edward G. Rendell (Democrat)
U.S. Senators: 2
Bob Casey (Democrat)
Arlen Specter (Republican)
U.S. Representatives: 19
Republicans: 8
Democrats 11
State Senators: 50
State Representatives: 203
Counties: 67