Name, Location, Climate, Landforms and Regions of Pennsylvania Chapter 1 Section 1 Name, Location, Climate, Landforms and Regions of Pennsylvania  

I. Name Pennsylvania Founder Commonwealth Literally translates to “Penn’s Woods” Founder William Penn When Penn sound this land it was 98% forest Commonwealth Founded for the common good or wealth of its people Only one of four states that carry the title “Commonwealth” Massachusetts Kentucky Virginia

II. Size 45,333 Square miles (302 mi x 158 mi) The 33rd Largest Geographical location Southern most state of the Northeast Region of the US States that border PA New York New Jersey Delaware West Virginia Ohio Maryland

III. Climate Definition Humid Continental General weather conditions of a region Humid Continental PA has four distinct seasons Winters Cold Summers Warm and humid Adequate Rainfall Ocean Climate not affected by the ocean We do receive the occasional coastal storm Precipitation Falling products of condensation in the atmosphere, as rain, snow, or hail Average between 34 and 52 inches per year Southeastern part of the state receives more

IV. Landforms and Regions Areas that have at least one characteristic in common Landforms A recognizable, naturally formed feature on the Earth's surface The Atlantic Coastal Plain Reaches about 10 miles into the Southeastern corner of the state Major city is Philadelphia The Piedmont Max elevation is 600’ above Sea Level Includes some of the richest soil in the state Major cities Allentown Reading Lancaster York

Ridge and Valley Covers about 90 miles in width Appalachian Mountains Extends from Maine to Georgia Blue Ridge Mountain Ride Ends just south of Stroudsburg Tuscarora Ridge Parallels the Blue Mountains Reaches 2200’ in elevation West of Harrisburg and North to Bloomsburg The Great Valley Cumberland, Lebanon, Lehigh Valleys Alleghany Mountains Extends from the Southwest to the Northeast Mt Davis States highest point Reaches 3213’

Allegheny Plateau The Lake Erie Plain Elevated piece of land that is relatively level in elevation Covers 60% of PA Pocono Mountains Formed by glaciers Laurel Highlands Just outside of Pittsburgh The Lake Erie Plain Four miles in width Flat piece of land that extends from the Lake Erie Shoreline