If you’ve ever looked at a piece of mail, a political map, or a license plate and wondered exactly which state is PA in USA, the answer is Pennsylvania. It’s that simple. But honestly, the "PA" abbreviation hides a lot more than just a name. Pennsylvania isn't just a random spot on the map; it’s basically the glue that held the original United States together.
They call it the Keystone State.
Think about an archway. You’ve got all these stones leaning on each other, but there’s one wedge-shaped piece right at the top center. That’s the keystone. Without it, the whole thing crashes down. Back in the day, Pennsylvania was the middle child of the original 13 colonies, geographically and politically bridging the gap between the North and the South.
Where exactly is Pennsylvania?
If you’re looking at a map of the East Coast, find New York and go a bit south and west. Pennsylvania is a big, chunky rectangle of a state tucked into the Mid-Atlantic region. It’s got a weirdly specific shape. It touches New York to the north, New Jersey to the east (separated by the Delaware River), and Delaware, Maryland, and West Virginia to the south. To the west, you’ve got Ohio.
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Oh, and don't forget that tiny little chimney in the northwest corner. That little snippet gives Pennsylvania access to Lake Erie. Even though the state doesn’t actually touch the Atlantic Ocean, it’s a major player in maritime trade because of the Port of Philadelphia and that Great Lakes connection.
The big cities (and why they matter)
Most people think of PA and immediately jump to Philadelphia. It makes sense. Philly is the largest city, and it’s basically where the United States was born. You’ve got Independence Hall, where the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution were debated and signed. It’s also home to the Liberty Bell, which—fun fact—arrived in the city already cracked.
Then you’ve got Pittsburgh on the opposite side of the state. While Philly feels very East Coast, Pittsburgh feels like the gateway to the Midwest. It’s the "Steel City." It sits at the point where three rivers—the Allegheny, the Monongahela, and the Ohio—all meet. It used to be a gritty industrial hub, but now it’s become this weirdly cool tech and healthcare center.
Somewhere in the middle is Harrisburg, the capital. It’s smaller, but the capitol building there is genuinely one of the most beautiful in the country, modeled after St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome.
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More than just concrete
Pennsylvania isn't all just row homes and steel mills. Once you get outside the "Big Two" cities, you hit what people often call "Pennsyltucky." It’s a massive expanse of rolling hills, deep forests, and farm country.
- The Amish Country: Lancaster County is famous for its Pennsylvania Dutch population. You’ll see horse-drawn buggies sharing the road with SUVs. It’s a trip.
- The Poconos: This is the go-to spot for hiking, skiing, and those weird heart-shaped tubs from the 70s.
- Gettysburg: If you’re a history buff, this is the holy grail. It’s the site of the bloodiest battle of the Civil War and the turning point of the whole conflict.
Weird Pennsylvania trivia you can use at parties
Honestly, this state has some of the strangest claims to fame. For instance, did you know that about half of all mushrooms grown in the U.S. come from a tiny town called Kennett Square? Or that the Big Mac was invented in Uniontown, PA?
It’s also the birthplace of the Jeep (Butler, PA) and the first commercial radio station (KDKA in Pittsburgh). And if you like chocolate, you basically have to visit Hershey. The whole town literally smells like cocoa because of the factory. They even have streetlights shaped like Hershey’s Kisses.
Why does the "PA" abbreviation matter?
In 2026, knowing which state is PA in USA is actually pretty important for things like voting and taxes. Pennsylvania is a "swing state," meaning it doesn't always go for the same political party. Because it has a huge population and a lot of electoral votes, it often decides who becomes president.
If you're moving there or just visiting, here are a few things to keep in mind:
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- Gas Station Wars: You have to pick a side. Are you a Wawa person (East) or a Sheetz person (West)? Don't try to be both. It’s a cultural divide that runs deep.
- The "Commonwealth" thing: Technically, Pennsylvania is a Commonwealth, not a "state." In practice, it means absolutely nothing for your daily life, but locals love to point it out.
- Liquor Laws: They are finally getting better, but for a long time, you had to go to special state-run stores to buy a bottle of wine. It’s a leftover from the post-Prohibition era.
Practical Next Steps
If you're planning to visit or just want to explore the state more:
- Check out Philadelphia’s Reading Terminal Market for some of the best food you’ll ever eat (get a roast pork sandwich, not just a cheesesteak).
- Drive the Pennsylvania Turnpike. It was the first long-distance highway of its kind in the country, though be ready for the tolls—they’re pricey.
- Visit Fallingwater. It’s a house built over a waterfall by Frank Lloyd Wright, located about 90 minutes from Pittsburgh. It’s one of the coolest pieces of architecture on the planet.
Pennsylvania is a mix of old-world tradition and modern industrial grit. Whether you’re looking for the "Birthplace of Liberty" or just a really good pretzel, PA is the place.