Western PennsylvaniaĀ is a region in the U.S. state ofĀ Pennsylvania, covering the western third of the state.Ā PittsburghĀ is the region’s principal city and serves as its economic and cultural center.Ā Erie,Ā Altoona, andĀ JohnstownĀ are its other metropolitan centers.
Although the Commonwealth does not designate Western Pennsylvania as an official region, since colonial times it has retained a distinct identity not only because of itsĀ geographical distanceĀ fromĀ Philadelphia, the beginning of Pennsylvania settlement, but especially because of its topographical separation from the east by virtue of theĀ Appalachian Mountains, which characterize much of the western region.The strong cultural identity of Western Pennsylvania is reinforced by theĀ state supreme courtĀ holding sessions in Pittsburgh, in addition toĀ HarrisburgĀ and Philadelphia.
Last Updated on 6 hours ago by pinc