Our Pennsylvania Story
23
Lesson 9:
Our Population and Cities
Pittsburgh
, with about 340,000 people,
is our second (2nd) largest city. More than
2million people live in the urban area
surrounding the city.
Pittsburghwas started in the 1750s in
western Pennsylvania. A fort was built where
three riversmeet. Two large rivers, the
Monongahela and the Allegheny, meet at
Pittsburgh. A third river, the Ohio, flows from
these two rivers.
Pittsburgh becamewell known formaking
steel. In fact, the citywas once theworld’s
largest maker of steel. Today, not asmuch
steel ismade in Pittsburgh. The steel that ismade is usedmostly for tools and cars.
Allentown
is located on the Lehigh River in
eastern Pennsylvania. It is our third (3rd) largest
city. More than 107,000 people live in this city.
People in the city produce a great variety of
products. Allentown is also a shipping center for
farm products from the rich soils of the Lehigh
Valley. Two other cities, Bethlehem and Easton,
are located close toAllentown. Together, this region
is one of our state’s largest growing urban areas.
Erie
is located on Lake Erie in the chimney corner
of our state. It is inwestern Pennsylvania. The citywas
named after the Erie Native American tribes. Erie
began as a French fort in the 1750s. With nearly
104,000 people, it is our state’s fourth (4th) largest city.
Erie has an excellent harbor protected by a
peninsula. Because of its location, Erie is amain
shipping center on the Great Lakes formany
products. Products can be shipped on the Great
Lakes to thewest or east. Themain products are
iron, coal, oil, lumber, grain, and fruits. The sandy
beaches of Presque Isle State Park attract many
tourists in the summer.
