Pennsylvania Maps & Facts - World Atlas

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Pennsylvania is in the Mid-Atlantic and Northeastern regions of the United States. It borders Delaware, Maryland, West Virginia, Ohio, New Jersey, and New York. Pennsylvania covers an area of 46,055 square miles. It is the 33rd largest state in the U.S. Pennsylvania is almost totally covered by mountains and a series of rolling hills, plateaus, and ridges punctuated by valleys. Forests cover about 50% of the state's land area, and the only lowlands (Atlantic Coastal Plains) are in the extreme southeastern corner of the state.

Pennsylvania comprises several distinct geographic regions, including the Piedmont region in the east; Appalachian Plateau and Ridge-and-Valley Appalachians in central and western Pennsylvania; Allegheny Plateau in southwestern Pennsylvania; and Great Lakes Lowland in northwestern Pennsylvania. 

The Appalachian Mountains slice through the center of Pennsylvania. The Allegheny and Pocono Mountains form the state's most significant subranges. Situated in the southern part of the state, on a ridge of the Allegheny and Appalachian Mountains, is Mount Davis – the state's highest point, which rises to an elevation of 3,213ft. The Blue Mountain, located to the east of the Pocono Mountain, comprises a 150-mile-long ridge, which forms a part of the eastern edge of the Appalachian Mountain range.

The Delaware Water Gap, on the border of Pennsylvania and New Jersey, was formed as the Delaware River carved a deep path through a ridge of the Appalachian Mountains on its way to the sea. The state's lowest point is at sea level in the Delaware River.

The Susquehanna River flows through Pennsylvania's heartland, while many other rivers connect the state to its surrounding states. Additionally, the Ohio River runs along 140 miles of Pennsylvania's border with West Virginia and Ohio. Pennsylvania also has several large lakes, including Lake Erie in its northern corner and Lake Wallenpaupack in its northeastern part. Most of central Pennsylvania has temperate woodlands, with evergreen forests prevalent in higher elevations. The eastern region of Pennsylvania consists primarily of farmland ideal for agricultural production due to its fertile soil.

The majority of Pennsylvania lies in the humid continental climate zone with cold winters, warm summers, and varying amounts of precipitation throughout the year. Pennsylvanian summers typically range from mild to hot during the day, while winter temperatures average below freezing throughout most of the state. Average annual precipitation ranges from 36 inches near Lake Erie to 40 inches near Philadelphia.