Ch 10- Coastal South

The Coastal South is made up of the state of Florida, and the shoreline sections of the southern states along the Gulf Coast. This region has a distinct cultural feel that separates itself from the Inland South. 

Like Philadelphia, this area is very culturally diverse. African Americans developed a lively cultural region of their own. Here people spoke Gullah, which is a distinctive dialect evolved from African languages (Shelley 194). Also in this region, is the French portion  of Louisiana. Here the Cajuns maintain a distinctly French feel in New Orleans. There is a huge array of diversity in the Coastal South.

The two most important aspects of the economy in the Coastal South are tourism and military activities. As we know, Philadelphia also relies on tourism to maintain its economy. Though we have talked extensively about the historical sites any tourist must see in Philly, here are a few other iconic tourist sites. 

First, the Rocky Statue which is in front of the Philadelphia Museum of Art. This museum is in itself a must see if you go to Philly, but Rocky may be slightly more popular. The steps going up into the museum are also the iconic steps Rocky ran up. If you go, you can usually see several people attempting their own rendition. 

Also a popular stop is the iconic Love statue which is in Love Park northwest of City Hall. It was built in 1976 by Robert Indiana. It is a beautiful park which often hosts live music in the summer. It is a great place to take in the wonders of Philly, and epitomizes the City of Brotherly Love. 

Ch 9- The Inland South

The Inland South has a very diverse topography, and cultural history. Traditionally, the South has long been seen as a very conservative, agriculturally driven region. The Civil War, or the "War Between the States," as people in the south like to call it, also culturally shaped the region. These things are very different from the Northern city of Philadelphia. 

Early in America's history, slavery was a commonly practiced institution to have access to free labor. In the South, some plantation owners who were heavily reliant on cash crops were also dependent on work by slaves.  After slavery was abolished as a result of the Civil War, tenant farming became popular. This was a second system of institutionalized poverty for poor Black farmers. In the 1920's, due to unsatisfactory living conditions, "hundreds of thousands of African Americans relocated to urban centers in the north" (Shelley 175). This became known as the Great migration. 

Large cities in the North grew quickly as a result of this. The population of blacks in Philadelphia grew by 500% in the decade between 1910 and 1920 (History). Though the City of Brotherly Love did not have institutionalized racism like the south did, the city was heavily segregated. A chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) was created in 1912 to protect southern migrants' rights in the city. In the 1950's, almost all aspects of life were heavily segregated. Like most cities in America, Philadelphia has a history of racial segregation and discrimination. But after the Civil Rights Movement of the 60's, and continuing cultural awareness, the city has come much closer to equality for everybody.  

The South is by and large much more conservative than the North, and especially Philadelphia. Religiously, people of the Inland South are predominately all Christian Baptist, with little variation. Philly, on the other hand, has many different religions people subscribe to. It has a higher percentage of Catholic, Islamic and Eastern religion than the nation as a whole. The chart below breaks down religion in Philly. 

Religion in Philly from Best Places

Philadelphia's religious and cultural diversity is what makes it so exciting as a city. 

Ch 8- The Great Lakes and Corn Belt

The Great Lakes and Corn Belt region, seen to the right, is thought of America's "heartland." The landscape in this region has been changed drastically by humans through settlement which is similar to much of the east coast, and especially Philadelphia. The land is generally flat, or has rolling hills. The Mississippi River and the Great Lakes water systems served as important transportation networks. 

The Northwest Ordinance of 1785 helped to settle this area of the US. Under this act, the land was surveyed using a township and range system. This system was used extensively in this region and results in 36-square-mile townships that look like checkerboards. This picture of the state of Iowa shows the distinct squares that make up the bulk of this region. 

This is similar to how Philadelphia was planned by William Penn. Philly was the first city to be mapped out, rather than haphazardly settled. Though the city has expanded greatly since then, remnants of Penn's early planning can still be seen today. 

Many major cities reside in this region. Four of Canada's major metropolitan cities are located here: Oshawa, Toronto, Hamilton, and St. Catherine's-Niagara. In the United States, Detroit, Chicago, and Pittsburgh, are urban areas. These areas have long identified themselves with the products produced there.  

As a city, Philadelphia consistently identifies with the historical aspects of its settlement. Being such a huge part of our country's founding can be seen in the logos of the sports team. Both the Philadelphia 76ers, a professional basketball team, and the Phillies, a baseball team, feature red and blue colors. The 76ers have the thirteen stars that were on the original American Flag. Their name is even a tribute to the year 1776 when the country was founded. The Phillies have the Liberty Bell behind their team name. The historical mecca that the city is continues to be a cultural point of reference. 

Other identifications for the city of Philly are foods such as soft pretzels and Philly cheese steaks (which is possibly the most delicious sandwich you could eat), and the NFL Eagles (pronounced the "iggles"). Like steel in Pittsburgh, and automobiles in Detroit, these things help make Philadelphia the city that it is. 

The skyline at night

Ch 7- Megalopolis

The Megalopolis region includes the five major cities along the east coast- New York, Boston, Baltimore, Washington DC and Philadelphia. These large cities are all along the fall line and close to the Atlantic Ocean. Philadelphia is the second largest metropolitan area in this region behind New York. 

As discussed in chapter 4's post, the ethnic make up of Philly's neighborhoods have changed over time. Urban decay also took place as many groups fled the city in search of live in the suburbs. As all the major cities in "BoshWash," the City of Brotherly Love maintains a very diverse population.  

Like all big cities, the negative attributes of urban-metropolitan living have also impacted Philadelphia. Crime, homelessness, and graffiti have plagued the city. The city has enacted many initiatives to stop these negatives. 

Specifically, the Philadelphia Anti-Graffiti Network was created by the city in 1984 in order to give citizens access to power-washing to remove any graffiti. This was a widespread campaign to eradicate the graffiti problem. In 1996, the mayor reorganized this into the Mural Arts Program.  

Here is a video about the Mural Arts Program:

Muralist Jane Golden reached out to graffiti artists to help them "redirect their energies from destructive graffiti writing to constructive mural painting." Through these efforts, over 3,000 beautiful murals have replaced graffiti. The program also focuses on educational material for gang affiliates, which helps teach responsibility, teamwork and problem solving. Here are some examples of the murals:

The program's mantra is "Art Saves Lives." It continues to impact the countless individuals who paint, and drastically improve the city. This program has become a model of positive change for cities around the world.

Though Philadelphia will always face the challenges of all megalopolis cities, it also enjoys the great positives of urban diversity. As all the major cities along the Atlantic coast, Philly is a rich and colorful city that is worth visiting! 

Ch 5- The Atlantic Periphery

The Atlantic Periphery

The Atlantic Periphery includes the Atlantic provinces of Canada and Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, and the northeastern part of the state of New York (Shelley 91).This region is known for having beautiful rugged coast lines and mountain scenery, and maintaining a slower pace than the nearby cities.    

Catskill Mountains

Due to its close proximity to Philadelphia, many who live in the city find peace in upstate New York. The Catskill Mountains, which are on the southern edge of the Atlantic Periphery, is only a 4 hour drive from Philly. In these mountains, part of the larger Appalachian Mountains, visitors can hike, fish, camp, and enjoy the serenity of the outdoors. With the phenomenal natural scenery and relaxed pace of life, the Catskills offer Philadelphia residents a reprieve to the hustle and bustle of city life.

Family in front of Doubleday Field

Further inland of New York, still on the southern edge of the Atlantic Periphery, is Cooperstown. My family vacationed there last August. Home to the Baseball Hall of Fame, and Doubleday field (the home of baseball), Cooperstown and neighboring small towns have a rustic, sleepy feel.  Also nearby is Cooperstown Dreams Park, a camp facility where 11 and 12 year-old boys play baseball for a week. My fiance went 10 years ago, and this past summer, by brother went. Cooperstown, as all of the Atlantic Periphery, offered gorgeous scenery. Only 4 1/2 hours away from Philly, Cooperstown is another popular destination for people to relax.


Other popular destinations for Philly residents in the Atlantic Periphery are Lake Placid, Lake Ontario, and the Niagara Falls. These beautiful sites are all within a 7 hour drive of Philadelphia.

The Ben Franklin Bridge, Philadelphia skyline in distance

Ch 4- The North American Political Economy

Philadelphia's economy previously was focused in the primary and secondary sectors. The backbone of the city's economy used to be manufacturing and the related distribution sector (citydata). Since the beginning of railroads in the US, Philadelphia has served as a hub of rail transportation and companies. Pennsylvania Railroad and the Reading Railroad both maintained a large presence in the city. Immigrant populations helped build and work on the rail road. As the transportation grew, Philly became a major port of transportation. This provided many of the jobs in the 17-1800s.

Today, Philly's economy relies mostly on Tertiary and Quaternary sectors. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, logging and mining make up 40,000 jobs, while the city creates almost 6 million non-farm jobs. Information and service-based business dominate the city's economics. Several corporations in computing, finance, insurance, printing and publishing industries are all flourishing. And with large universities near by, the medical field continues to grow. As we have previously discussed, the amount of tourist attractions in Philadelphia make tourism one of Philly's top areas of income. This tertiary aspect of the city is essential to its great fiscal success. 

Since its conception, Philly has been a tremendously diverse city with many ethnoburbs. According to Quickfacts, the ethnic breakdowns are as follows: Black/African American-44.3%, White, non-Hispanic- 37%, Hispanic or Latino, 12.6%, Asian- 6.6%. There are also traces of Pacific Islanders and American Indians. The largest change about the city's racial make up is the decline of white people and influx of minorities living in the city. From 1990 to 2010, Philly's white population has decreased by 31.9%, while the 'Multi-race and Other' population has increased by a monumental 637.9%. 

The official districts of Philadelphia

To visualize how demographics of Philly have changed, view the Mapping America Project, by NY Times.  

The Germantown Community has traditionally been (surprise), German. The Port Richmond community was typically Polish. Irish Catholics could be found in the Northeast (where my family is from), and other enclaves in South Philly. South and West Philadelphia used to be where Black people lived. Today, however, the African American population is more fluid, and have spread out into many areas of the city. 

As time passes, these unofficial ethnic communities change. Regardless, there continues to be  a rich sense of diversity throughout the city. 

Ch 3 - Historical Settlement of North America

The amount of United States history that took place in Philadelphia is amazing; it makes Philly one of the most historic places in our nation. The numerous and important landmarks are incredible, and make the celebrated city a popular tourist destination.

William Penn, Founder

Before Penn founded the city, Native Americans and Swedish colonists saw the region as an attractive place for trade and settlement (Visit Philly). The Lenape Native Americans lived in the Delaware River valley until European settlers arrived.

In 1682, William Penn, an English Quaker, founded Philadelphia as a British Colony. His goal was to create a community of religious freedom. This created a very culturally diverse area quickly, as immigrants from all backgrounds flocked to the city of brotherly love.

My Brother in front of Independence hall;
August 2012

The city originally mapped out by Penn was only half of what it is today. With thousands of migrating immigrants, the city quickly grew and expanded territory. In 1701, after a charter issued by Penn, the territory officially became a city.

By the 1750's, Philadelphia was a bustling eighteenth century city. Independence Hall and Christ Church were architectural marvels and dominated the city silhouette. Gaslights illuminated the paved, cobblestone streets, and schools, libraries and theaters were built (Maps of the World). During this era, the city became the largest city and one of the busiest ports in British America.

During the period of American Revolution, the cultural hub of Philadelphia became a meeting place for the innovative thinkers that are today known as our Founding Fathers. On July 4^th, 1776 these men signed the Declaration of Independence in Independence Hall in center city Philadelphia. This created a nation independent of British rule.

Inside of Independence Hall

Later, as early states struggled under no central government, the Constitutional Convention was held in Independence Hall in 1787. Fifty-five delegates from several states met for four months in 1787 met to frame the Constitution for a federal government (Teaching American History). 

From 1790-1800, Philadelphia also served as the nation's temporary capital when Washington was burned down by the British (HistoryDC). Thus, Philly has been involved in almost every step of our nation’s early history.

The Liberty Bell with Independence Hall in the background
August 2012

These landmarks are a must see for an American citizen. Other important and cool historic sights to see in Philly are: the Liberty Bell, Constitution Center, Betsy Ross’ House, City Hall, the Eastern State Penitentiary, and all the awesome museums in center city! If it is your first time visiting, I highly recommend the Big Bus tour. Every time I go, I learn something new about Philly and American history.

Philadelphia’s early history is interesting, but more importantly, integral to America’s history. This is a brief and by no means comprehensive overview of important events that have shaped the city. These landmarks are awe-inspiring and I highly recommend you visit them at some point in your life!

Ch 2- North America’s Environmental Setting

Philadelphia has an interesting physical environment. Pennsylvania, as well as much of the Northeast, is within the Eastern Forest bioregion. It was mostly forested before European settlers, but is now an urban jungle. 

The city is located on the eastern edge of Pennsylvania, about 60 miles from the Atlantic Ocean to the east and the Appalachian Mountains to the west. The Delaware and Schuylkill rivers merge where Philly resides. Both rivers serve as landmarks for directions and focal points of the city. As large bodies of water do, the Atlantic Ocean moderates the climate eliminating extremes of hot and cold weather (citydata.com). 


The city lies in a C, Mild Mid-latitude Climate. Specifically, within a Cfa climate which has humid subtropical air, without a dry season and hot summers. During the summer months, the ocean air causes high humidity. Precipitation is fairly consistent year round, and gets 45.7 inches of rain annually (citydata.com) but peak rainfall is during the months of June, July and August. Snowfall does come during the winter months, but is more frequent in northern suburbs. Annually, Philly gets 20.5 inches of snow (citydata.com). 

Image from gridphilly.com

Most of the city is at sea level. Chestnut Hill is the highest point which rises to an elevation of 445 feet (mapsofworld.com). The city was built on relatively flat land by William Penn (more on that next chapter). Because it is such an old city, it is irregularly shaped. Center City, the historic district, still has cobblestone and one-way streets. 

Cobblestone Street from visitphilly.com

Overall, Philadelphia's physical geographic features makes the city more unique. It is a beautiful city, certainly worth visiting and learning more about! 

Ch 1- Introduction

Welcome to Philadelphia!  

Philly, as residents often call it, is Pennsylvania's largest city. The bustling city has a rich history and is home to 1.5 million residents (Quickfacts). Founded in 1682 by William Penn, today there are several iconic cultural and historical sites here.

The "City of Brotherly Love" is home to the Philly Cheese Steak, Rocky, the Phillies, Eagles, along with many other things. My grandparents grew up in the row houses of Northeast Philly, and many of my relatives still live there. From time to time, I will try to tell you as many stories my grandparents told me growing up. Philly is the place where old meets new, and it is extremely interesting. Throughout the semester we will learn more about this wonderful city!