View the panoramic shot of the Philadelphia skyline near sunset from the South Street Bridge over the Schuylkill River. Enlarge this Picture.
The city is 136 square miles in size and has a population of 1,517,550 people (2000 census). The metropolitan area has 6,188,463 people (2000 census). It is the 5th largest city and 4th metropolitan area in the US despite current negative growth. It is serviced by Philadelphia International Airport, which is 5 miles southwest of Center City. Septa Rail serves much of the city and outlying area. Known as the "City of Brotherly Love", the area includes major cities in N.J. such as Camden, Cherry Hill and slightly further away is Trenton. Pennsylvania suburbs include King of Prussia, West Chester and Upper Darby. The Jersey shore and Atlantic City are only 55 miles away. New York City, Baltimore and Washington D.C. are all less then 2 hours away (if traffic is not congested). The elevation in the city is only slightly above sea level.
Philadelphia is one of the most historically important cities on the U.S.A. It was settled in the 1640s by the Swedes. In 1681, Charles II of England granted land to Willim Penn in what is now Pennsylvania. Penn chose Philadelphia as the capital of Pennsylvania in 1682 (which it remained until 1799), optimistically naming it after the Greek for 'brotherly love.' A survivor of London's Great Fire of 1666, he made sure the city's design included a grid system with wide streets, not the narrow, winding maze that caused so much havoc in England's capital. The grid design was to become the inspiration for most American cities. After Ben Franklin settled in Philadelphia in 1723, he began to transform it into the cultural center of the British colonies in America. Developing into a leading commercial and industrial center, it became the most populated city in the colonies and second in the British empire only to London. By 1790, the census counted 28,552 people. Although the Revolutionary fighting originated in the Boston area, Philadelphia became the center of political activities. The First Continental Congress met here in 1774. The Declaration of Independence was drafted in Philadelphia in 1776. During the Revolution, Philadelphia acted as the capital. The Constitution was also drafted in Philadelphia, 1787. The first presidents George Washington and John Adams governed from Philadelphia. By 1800, the capital moved to Washington D.C. Between 1793 and 1820, Philadelphia suffered five yellow-fever epidemics, which killed thousands but led to the construction of the US's first city water system. Even as Philadelphia continued to grow, its fortunes declined in the 19th century, as New York took over as the nation's cultural, commercial and industrial center. By 1860, the city had more then a 1/2 million people. It was an early center of the abolitionist movement and was a major industrial supplier to the Union during the Civil War. The city continued to grow until the 1950s when the population peaked at 2.1 million people. Urban decay and a lost of manufacturing jobs began Philadelphias long decline. Urban renewal started in the late 1950s and accelerated around 1976 for the nations bicentenial. This resulted in a growing economy, stabilizing population base and a vibrant downtown area.
The city's economy is a complex system of manufacturing, commercial, service and research activities. One of the largest fresh water harbors in the country is found along the Delaware River. This has spurred much of the manufacturing and transportation activities in the city. Philadelphia is also a major transportation hub for the country with numerous highway and railroad lines passing through it. The downtown headquarters major regional, national and international corporations. This includes research facilities of some of the countries leading pharmaceutical, computer and technology-based companies. Six medical schools associated with numerous colleges and universities includes the U of Penn.
A visit to Philadelphia explains its historical importance. Despite lowbrow humor such as W.C. Fields being directed for years towards the city, it is considered one of the best cities in the country to live. Famous for hoagies, Philly Cheese Steaks and Cream Cheese, Philadelphia is also home to some of the best restaurants in the country. The downtown features old and important historic districts, Penn's Landing (Front Street and the Delaware River), Ben Franklin Bridge, South Street Market (lively night time activities), many world-class museums and other cultural events makes this city a marvellous place to visit. Fairmount Park is the city's huge outdoor park and is the largest landscaped urban park in the world.
All pictures on this page are from Philadelphia, using various film and digital cameras. Additional pictures from the city or nearby area can be found below. This includes Fairmount Park, Independence National Historic Park and Valley Forge National Historic Park.
View the panoramic shot of the Philadelphia skyline near sunset from the South Street Bridge over the Schuylkill River.
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View the panoramic shot of the Philadelphia skyline at night from the South Street Bridge over the Schuylkill River.
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Independence Hall, where the Declaration of Independence was written, rising underneath the skyline.
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The Philadelphia Museum of Art.
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One of the wings of the Philadelphia Museum of Art.
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The view from the Philadelphia Museum of Art.
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Scene from downtown.
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The fountain at Logan Square.
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The Philadelphia skyline at night from the South Street Bridge over the Schuylkill River. This is very near the U. of Penn. campus.
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City Hall from Market St, between Juniper and 13th.
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City Hall from Market St, between 15th and 16th.
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1 Liberty Plaza, the tallest building in Philadelphia. This picture was taken from Market between 17th and 18th St.
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Further information on Philadelphia can be found at the Philadelphia Lonely Planet site or
Philadelphia Official Site.
