Middle Atlantic State of the NE U.S.: one of the 13 original states; 44,817 sq mi (116,075 sq km); pop. 12,281,000; cap. Harrisburg: abbrev. PA, Pa, Penn, or Penna
Origin:
after father of William Penn + L sylvania, wooded (land), fem. of sylvanus < sylva, silva, forest: see sylvan
See Pennsylvania in American Heritage Dictionary 4
A state of the eastern United States. It was admitted as one of the original Thirteen Colonies in 1787. Explored by Europeans in the early 1600s, the region was settled by Swedes in 1634 and granted by royal charter to William Penn in 1681. The Mason-Dixon Line (surveyed in 1763-1767) established the southern boundary of the colony and was extended westward in 1784. Pennsylvania played a crucial role in the American Revolution and in the formation of the new republic. Harrisburg is the capital, and Philadelphia is the largest city. Population: 12,400,000.