56
●
Chapter 3
Bethlehem. Together, this region is one of
our state’s largest urban areas.
Cities of the
Allegheny Plateau
J
ohnstown
is located in southwestern
Pennsylvania along the Conemaugh
River. The citywas founded in1800. As
the railroad industry grew west of the
Allegheny Mountains, so did Johnstown.
During the late 1800s, the city was our
nation’s leading steel-making center.
Today, Johnstown’s population is nearly
22,000, but the urban area has over 240,000
residents. It is amajor center for themining
of soft coal. Because of this, workers also
produce iron, steel, andmetal products.
Pittsburgh
is located in southwestern
Pennsylvania where three rivers meet.
The citybegan as a fur-tradingpost in the
late 1600s.
Pittsburgh became a city in 1816. By
1837, a canal linked western Pennsylvania
to the east. By 1854, the Pennsylvania
Railroad connected Pittsburgh with
Philadelphia.With the use of rivers, canals,
and railroads, Pittsburgh became a
transportation center. It became much
easier to transport products. The city
became another center for iron and steel
products. Also, the city became a center for
the glass industry.
Today, with nearly 313,000 people,
Pittsburgh is our state’s second largest city.
More than two million people live in the
urban area surroundingPittsburgh. The city
is still a transportation center — for rivers,
highways, railroads, and airports. During
the 1980s, the city’s last old steel plant was
closed. Today, Pittsburgh is amuch cleaner
city. Jobs are now more in service,
education, and technology.
Pittsburgh is a major educational and
cultural center. The city is the home of the
University of Pittsburgh, Carnegie-Mellon
University, and Duquesne University. The
Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra is one of
the country’s major orchestras. One also
can visit Buhl Science Center, the Mellon
Institute of Art and Natural History (many
preserved dinosaurs), the zoo, and Fort Pitt
Downtown Erie is located on Lake Erie, One of the Great Lakes.
