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

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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’

7. 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