About Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
The birthplace of America where the Founding Fathers met and formed a new country
Philadelphia, a city in Pennsylvania whose name means City of Brotherly Love, was originally settled by Native American tribes, particularly the Lenape hunter gatherers, around 8000 B.C..
Philadelphia is Pennsylvania’s largest city with an estimated population of 1.6 million people. It is notable for its rich history, on display at the Liberty Bell, Independence Hall (where the Declaration of Independence and Constitution were signed) and other American Revolutionary sites. Philadelphia is also the birthplace of the United States, where our Founding Fathers met, discussed, debated and formed a new country.
The city has a past that dates back to the early 1600s. By the early 1600s, Dutch, English and Swedish merchants had established trading posts in the Delaware Valley area, and in 1681, Charles II of England granted a charter to William Penn what would become the Pennsylvania colony.
In 1790, after the Revolutionary War (during which the city witnessed the Battle of Germantown), Philadelphia was the capital of the United States. By that time, it was the new nation’s biggest city, with 44,096 residents. The U.S. Constitution was written there in 1787.
Philadelphia teems with historic sites known for paranormal activity and unexplained happenings. You can visit spooky locales, where you’ll discover fascinating history – and possibly a ghostly encounter. The city boasts a thriving cultural scene with world-class museums, including the Philadelphia Museum of Art, the Barnes Foundation, and the Franklin Institute. It also has a vibrant performing arts scene with theaters, music venues, and art galleries.
The oldest sections of Philadelphia—Southwark, Society Hill, and the Independence Hall area—lie to the east, along and inland from the Delaware. Southwark is the oldest, having been settled by Swedes in 1643. Those of its ancient and dilapidated houses that have escaped bulldozing for riverfront expressways resemble the edifices of Society Hill before its restoration began in the 1950s.
This latter area contains some of the city’s finest old houses, taverns, and churches, though some high-rise apartment buildings. Time listed the city of Philadelphia as one of the world's 100 greatest places in 2021. On November 6, 2015, Philadelphia was honored with the prestigious distinction of being named the Nation's First World Heritage City by the international Organization of World Heritage Cities.
Today, Philadelphia is a dynamic city with a rich history, diverse culture, and plenty to offer residents and visitors alike.