The city of Philadelphia is located between the rivers Schuylkill and Delaware. It is the largest city of Pennsylvania and the sixth largest of the United States. It lies just across Camden in New Jersey.

The city of Philadelphia has a rich history. The country of United States was borne in this city. Philadelphia served as the nation’s capital from 1790 to 1800. The city was founded in the year 1682. William Penn, an English Quaker, is attributed as the architect of the city. The city was viewed as a place of tolerance and religious freedom. Colonists in a bid to escape persecution crowded the city. The town was named after the Greek word for ‘brotherly love’.

The city’s most influential sights are housed in the Independence National Historical Park. The Liberty Bell, Independence Hall, and Constitution Center, too, are important historically. The United States’ Declaration of Independence, which was signed in 1776, is housed in the Independence Hall.

Benjamin Franklin, the great American statesman and visionary, was born in Philadelphia. He was also the founder of the country’s first hospital, library, fire company, and university. He is the city’s famous son, with a large number of exhibits dedicated to him.

‘Philly’ is the popular abbreviated name of the city. It is not just a historically important city. The arts are equally rich and famous. The city is home to a world-famous orchestra and museums. The Kimmel Center for Performing Arts is the city’s premier art destination. Philadelphia is also home to art galleries, cinemas, and both traditional and avant-garde theatre.

Philadelphia has more than a hundred ethnic groups that make up the population. From the Italian market to Afro-American festivals, Philadelphia has it all. The city is also a haven for R&B and jazz clubs. Of particular importance is the Amish community, which sells produce in the Reading Terminal Market.

Philadelphia is strategically located. The city is a stop for those visiting the Pennsylvania Dutch Country. The ski resorts of the Pocono Mountains lie to the north and the Delaware Peninsula and Atlantic Seaboard beaches lie to the southeast.

The streets follow a logical, grid pattern as was envisaged by William Penn. The town area of the city is also known as Center City. The thoroughfares of Market Street and Broad Street meet at the central hub in City Hall and form four quadrants.

Some of the famous landmarks of Philadelphia include the Parkway Museums, Convention Centre, Washington Square, and Rittenhouse Square. The oldest areas of the city include Old City and Society Hill or Waterfront.

Getting There

By air
The Philadelphia International Airport is seven miles away from the city centre. The airport has seven terminals which cater to flights from Europe, Canada, Caribbean Islands, and more than 100 US cities.

Philadelphia can be reached from London in 8 hours 20 minutes. From New York the city is 1 hour apart, and from Sydney 25 hours.

The airport has several restaurants, snack bars, shopping outlets, duty-free shops, ATMs and medical services. The Communications Center is designed to assist passengers with language barriers. There are also several car-hire companies.

The city has four rail stations: University City, 30th Street, Suburban station, and Market East. The city has excellent bus and taxi routes.

By train
Amtrak is the country’s national railway. Newer high-speed trains are constantly added to the list of trains. Travelers from the Eastern towns of Boston and New York are more likely to use the train services. Travelers can get rail information, baggage service, and payphones at the station. Some car hire agencies, too, thrive at the station.

Philadelphia occupies an important place on the northeast frontier between Boston and Washington. The train journey from New York to Philadelphia lasts for an hour and ten minutes. The train services connect Philadelphia to the southern and western districts as well.

By road
The network of roads in Pennsylvania is excellent. Philadelphia is well connected to Scranton, Harrisburg, and Pittsburgh. The Niagara Falls and Washington, too, are within reach.

The standard thumb-rule for numbering the freeways is that the north-south follows odd numbers and the east-west follows even numbers.

Drivers need to keep to the right. UK nationals with a valid driving license are able to drive on the city roads. Individuals from certain nationalities need to have an International Driving Permit. All drivers need to have third party travel insurance.

All drivers need to be at least 16 years of age. Speed limits are usually 30 mph on town roads and 55 mph on highways. Some interstate highways relax the limit to 65 mph. The safety measures are strict, and drivers need to use safety belts. Children need still further protection.