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Philadelphia
A major urban center in Pennsylvania traditionally dominated by Democratic voters.
First Mentioned
6/16/2026, 5:29:30 AM
Last Updated
6/16/2026, 5:34:26 AM
Research Retrieved
6/16/2026, 5:34:26 AM
Summary
Philadelphia, colloquially known as "Philly" or the "City of Brotherly Love," is the most populous city in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania and the sixth-most populous in the United States. Founded in 1682 by William Penn, it played a pivotal role in the American Revolution, hosting the Founding Fathers and serving as the nation's first capital. Today, Philadelphia is a major center for higher education, biotechnology (earning the nickname "Cellicon Valley"), and venture capital. In modern economic discussions, such as those highlighted by Pennsylvania Senators John Fetterman and Dave McCormick, Philadelphia is celebrated as a key urban center experiencing a massive "Blue-collar Boom" driven by heavy infrastructure investments, AI buildouts, and new data centers.
Referenced in 1 Document
Research Data
Extracted Attributes
State
Pennsylvania
Country
United States
Founded
1682-01-01
Founder
William Penn
Population
1,603,797 (2020 Census)
Coordinates
39.9527 N, 75.1636 W
Colloquial Name
Philly, City of Brotherly Love
Metropolitan Population
6.33 million
Gross Metropolitan Product
US$557.6 billion (2023)
Timeline
- Philadelphia is founded by William Penn, an English Quaker, to serve as the capital of the Province of Pennsylvania. (Source: Wikipedia)
1682-01-01
- Establishment of the nation's first library in Philadelphia. (Source: Wikipedia)
1731-01-01
- Establishment of the nation's first hospital in Philadelphia. (Source: Wikipedia)
1751-01-01
- Philadelphia hosts the First Continental Congress. (Source: Wikipedia)
1774-09-05
- Philadelphia begins serving as the nation's first capital. (Source: Wikipedia)
1775-05-10
- The Declaration of Independence is adopted by the Second Continental Congress in Philadelphia. (Source: Wikipedia)
1776-07-04
- The British Army occupies Philadelphia during the Revolutionary War's Philadelphia campaign. (Source: Wikipedia)
1777-09-26
- The Philadelphia Convention begins, leading to the drafting of the U.S. Constitution. (Source: Wikipedia)
1787-05-25
- Philadelphia becomes the temporary capital of the United States under the Residence Act, serving until 1800. (Source: Wikipedia)
1790-12-06
- Philadelphia hosts the Centennial Exhibition, the first major World's Fair in the United States. (Source: Wikipedia)
1876-05-10
- Philadelphia is designated as the first World Heritage City in the United States. (Source: Wikipedia)
2015-11-06
Wikipedia
View on WikipediaPhiladelphia
Philadelphia ( FIL-ə-DEL-fee-ə), colloquially referred to as Philly, is the most populous city in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania and the sixth-most populous city in the United States. Its population was 1.60 million at the 2020 census and estimated at 1.57 million in 2025. The Philadelphia metropolitan area, also called the Delaware Valley, has 6.33 million residents and is the nation's ninth-largest metropolitan area. Philadelphia is known for its culture, cuisine, and history, maintaining contemporary influence in business and technology, sports, and music. Philadelphia was founded in 1682 by William Penn, an English Quaker and advocate of religious freedom, and served as the capital of the colonial era Province of Pennsylvania. It then played a vital role during the American Revolution and Revolutionary War. It served as the central meeting place for the nation's Founding Fathers in hosting the First Continental Congress (1774) and the Second Continental Congress, during which the Founders formed the Continental Army, elected George Washington as its commander, and adopted the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776. During the Revolutionary War's Philadelphia campaign, the city fell to the British Army, which occupied Philadelphia for nine months from September 1777 to June 1778. Following the end of the Revolutionary War, the U.S. Constitution was ratified at the Philadelphia Convention. Philadelphia remained the nation's largest city until 1790, and it served as the nation's first capital from May 10, 1775, until December 12, 1776, and on four subsequent occasions until 1800, when construction of the new national capital in Washington, D.C. was completed. With 17 four-year universities and colleges in the city, Philadelphia is one of the nation's leading centers for higher education and academic research. The city hosts more outdoor sculptures and murals than any other city in the nation. Fairmount Park, when combined with adjacent Wissahickon Valley Park in the same watershed, has an area of 2,052 acres (830 ha), representing one of the nation's largest urban parks and the world's 55th largest. With five professional sports teams and one of the nation's most loyal and passionate fan bases, Philadelphia is often ranked as the nation's best city for professional sports fans. The city has a culturally and philanthropically active LGBTQ+ community. Philadelphia also has played an influential historic and ongoing role in the development and evolution of American music, especially R&B, soul, and rock. As of 2023, the Philadelphia metropolitan area had a gross metropolitan product of US$557.6 billion and is home to 13 Fortune 500 corporate headquarters. Metropolitan Philadelphia ranks as one of the nation's Big Five venture capital hubs, facilitated by its proximity to both the financial ecosystems of New York City and the regulatory environment of Washington, D.C. Metropolitan Philadelphia is also a biotechnology hub and has garnered the nickname "Cellicon Valley" for its central role in the development of immunotherapies to treat different cancers. The Philadelphia Stock Exchange, owned by Nasdaq since 2008, is the nation's oldest stock exchange and a global leader in options trading. 30th Street Station, the city's primary rail station, is the third-busiest Amtrak hub in the nation with over 4.1 million passengers in 2023. The city's multimodal transportation and logistics infrastructure includes Philadelphia International Airport, the PhilaPort seaport, and Interstate 95, a primary component of the north–south highway system along the U.S. East Coast. Philadelphia is a city of many firsts, including the nation's first library (1731), hospital (1751), medical school (1765), national capital (1774), university (by some accounts) (1779), central bank (1781), stock exchange (1790), zoo (1874), and business school (1881). Philadelphia contains 67 National Historic Landmarks, including Independence Hall. From the city's 17th century founding through the present, Philadelphia has been the birthplace of or home to many prominent and influential Americans.
Web Search Results
- Philadelphia - Wikipedia
Philadelphia was created in the 17th century, following the plan by William Penn's surveyor Thomas Holme. Center City is structured with long, straight streets running nearly due east–west and north–south, forming a grid pattern between the Delaware and Schuylkill rivers that is aligned with their courses. The original city plan was designed to allow for easy travel and to keep residences separated by open space that would help prevent the spread of fire. In keeping with the idea of a "Greene Countrie Towne", and inspired by the many types of trees that grew in the region, Penn named many of the east–west streets for local trees. Penn planned the creation of five public parks in the city which were renamed in 1824. Centre Square was renamed Penn Square; Northeast Square was renamed [...] The lowest point is sea level and the highest point is in Chestnut Hill, about 446 feet (136 m) above sea level on Summit Street near the intersection of Germantown Avenue and Bethlehem Pike at: 40.07815 N, 75.20747 W. Philadelphia is located on the Atlantic Seaboard Fall Line that separates the Atlantic Plain from the Piedmont "Piedmont (United States)"). The Schuylkill River's rapids at East Falls were inundated by completion of the dam at Fairmount Water Works. The city is the seat of its own county. The city is bordered by six adjacent counties: Montgomery to the northwest; Bucks to the north and northeast; Burlington County, New Jersey to the east; Camden County, New Jersey to the southeast; Gloucester County, New Jersey to the south; and Delaware County to the southwest. [...] Philadelphia is a city of many firsts, including the nation's first library (1731), hospital (1751), medical school (1765), national capital (1774), university (by some accounts) (1779), central bank (1781), stock exchange (1790), zoo (1874), and business school (1881). Philadelphia contains 67 National Historic Landmarks, including Independence Hall. From the city's 17th century founding through the present, Philadelphia has been the birthplace of or home to many prominent and influential Americans. ## History ### Native peoples
- Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | Advisory Council on Historic Preservation
ACHP # Advisory Council on Historic Preservation CONTACT US ### MENU CLOSE BACK HOME # Philadelphia, Pennsylvania SHARE Philadelphia (population 1,517,550), known as the “City of Brotherly Love,” is the fifth largest city in the United States. Founded by William Penn in 1682, the city hosted many significant events during the colonial, revolutionary, and early Republic periods in American history, including the drafting of both the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution. The city served as the capital of the United States from 1790 until 1800, when the federal government relocated to Washington, D.C. [...] Philadelphia’s unparalleled resources span over three centuries of the cultural, social, political, economic, and architectural history of the city, the commonwealth of Pennsylvania, and the nation. Philadelphia is home to the recently opened National Constitution Center, Independence National Historical Park, and the Liberty Bell. Just within walking distance of the Liberty Bell there are 40 cultural institutions, museums, historic sites, and some of the nation’s preeminent archives. Historic Fairmount Park contains seven interpreted National Historic Landmarks, and the city as a whole has 58, as well as seven National Historic Landmark Districts, 401 buildings and structures listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and 53 National Register Districts. [...] During the 19th century, Philadelphia contributed greatly to America’s burgeoning industrial power as a large-scale manufacturing center. Located along the Delaware River, one of the country’s major waterways and trade routes, Philadelphia also became an important railroad hub. Philadelphia was selected as the site of the 1876 Centennial Exhibition, the first major World’s Fair in the United States, which was held in the city’s grand Fairmount Park.
- Philadelphia's Historic District | Visit Philadelphia
### Book Your Stay ## Explore Philadelphia Neighborhoods Philadelphia is a city of vibrant neighborhoods bordered by a region of charming towns, with each area owning a distinctive personality. Explore the neighborhoods and towns in and around Philadelphia — their storied streets, interesting attractions, buzzed-about restaurants and year-round happenings. Use the menu above to explore Philadelphia Neighborhoods ### Landmarks ## ## Newsletter #### Connect With Us #### Visitphilly.com is the official visitor site for Greater Philadelphia, including Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery and Philadelphia counties. City of Philadelphia Commonwealth of Pennsylvania [...] en_US en_US es_MX fr_CA pt_BR es_EC fr_FR nl_NL en_US en_US es_MX fr_CA pt_BR es_EC fr_FR nl_NL ##### Tap To Search Type To Search Press Search Press Enter to Search # Philadelphia's Historic District Copied to Clipboard historic district logo Welcome to Philadelphia’s Historic District, the birthplace of the nation and the first World Heritage City in the U.S., as designated by the Organization of World Heritage Cities (OWHC). The Historic District, spanning from the Delaware River to 7th Street and from Vine Street to Lombard Street, is rich in history — after all, this was the heart of Philadelphia’s original city. But it’s also home to buzzed-about restaurants and beer gardens, owner-operated boutiques, pushing-the-boundaries art galleries and more. [...] ### Independence Visitor Center The all-in-one Independence Visitor Center at 6th and Market streets serves as a clearinghouse of information and a box office for free timed tickets to Independence Hall. It’s also the spot to ask real, live experts for Philly tips. More About Independence Visitor Center ### The First World Heritage City in the United States Philadelphia World Heritage CityThere are 266 World Heritage Cities around in the world, but the first World Heritage City designation in the United States was awarded to Philadelphia in 2015.As the home of Independence Hall, a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1979, and the city where democracy was established to form the United States of America, Philadelphia’s history is profoundly critical to world culture.
- Visit Philadelphia: Official Philly Tourism and Visitor Information
en_US en_US es_MX fr_CA pt_BR es_EC fr_FR nl_NL en_US en_US es_MX fr_CA pt_BR es_EC fr_FR nl_NL ##### Tap To Search Type To Search Press Search Press Enter to Search # Welcome to Philadelphia # Welcome to Philadelphia ### There's No Place on Earth Like Philly in 2026 America turns 250 in 2026, and there’s no better place to celebrate than where the nation began. The world’s eyes are on Philadelphia for a once-in-a-generation year filled with landmark events and unforgettable moments. From the larger-than-life FIFA World Cup 26 to the star-studded Wawa Welcome America festivities spanning Juneteenth to July Fourth and more, Philly sets the stage for a celebration 250 years in the making. Some places shape history. Others celebrate it. In 2026, Philly does both. [...] City of Philadelphia Commonwealth of Pennsylvania [...] #### Market East Home to the Pennsylvania Convention Center and City Hall, Market East is Philly’s gateway to business, shopping and entertainment — with the Fashion District and Reading Terminal Market steps away. People cross a street in Philadelphia that has a rainbow crosswalk. #### Midtown Village & the Gayborhood Centered in Philly’s downtown, Midtown Village bursts with top-tier dining, shopping and nightlife — and it’s home to the Gayborhood, a historic hub for beloved LGBTQ+ establishments and events. #### North Broad Beneath ornate cornices and glowing lights, North Broad‘s four-mile corridor — home to the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, The Met, the Philadelphia Ballet and more — pulses with cultural momentum.
- City of Philadelphia
# City of Philadelphia An official website of the City of Philadelphia government Here's how you know An official website English Español 中文 English Español 中文 عربي Ayisyen Français Kiswahili Português Pyccкий Tiếng Việt Feedback and support https:// The in the address bar means your information is encrypted and can not be accessed by anyone else .gov Only government entities in the U.S. can end in .gov City of Philadelphia logo Mayor Cherelle L. Parker ### Translate It looks like your device language is set to . Would you like to translate this page? Top Birth, marriage & life events Business & self-employment Cars, parking & transportation Crime, law & justice Culture & recreation Diversity, inclusion, accessibility & immigration Education & learning
Wikidata
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Image
Country
Founder
Located In
Instance Of
Population
1,603,797Coordinates
Inception Date
1/1/1682
DBPedia
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Location Data
Philadelphia, Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania, United States
Coordinates: 39.9527237, -75.1635262
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