Philadelphia is the largest city in Pennsylvania, the 2nd largest city on the East Coast of the United States, and the 5th most populated city in the United States. It is located at the intersection of the Delaware river and Schuylkill river. The current population is 1,547,607. Philadelphia is the central hub of the Delaware Valley area, home to over 6 million people and the 6th largest metropolitan area in the US. Popular nicknames for Philadelphia are Philly and The City of Brotherly Love.
In 1682, William Penn founded the city to serve as capital of the Pennsylvania Colony. In 1750 Philadelphia had grown larger than Boston to become the largest city and busiest port in America. During the American Revolution, Philadelphia played an important role as a meeting spot for the Founding Fathers of the United States. The Declaration of Independence was signed here in 1776, and the Constitution in 1787. Philadelphia was the nation's capital during the Revolutionary War. And it also served as the temporary U.S. capital while Washington, D.C., was under construction. During the 19th century, Philadelphia became a major industrial center and hub for railroads.
The city is a major center of economic activity for the region, and is home to the Philadelphia Stock Exchange and several Fortune 500 companies. Philadelphia is known for its rich arts and culture scene. The cheesesteak and soft pretzel are thought of as being Philadelphia cuisine, but people here are kinda tired of that hype. The city has more outdoor sculptures and murals than any other American city, and Philadelphia's Fairmount Park is the largest urban park in the world.