Page Contents for Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Statistics & Facts

Location

Geography

History & History-related items

City Attractions

Government

Chamber of Commerce.

Organizations, Churches, and Sports.

Libraries.

Schools.

Miscellany

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Statistics & Facts

The Pennsylvania state capital is Harrisburg.
The population of Pittsburgh is approximately 334,563 (2999), 305704 (2010).
The approximate number of families is 143,739 (2999), 136217 (2010).
The amount of land area in Pittsburgh is 144.091 sq. kilometers.
The amount of land area in Pittsburgh is 55.5 sq. miles.
The amount of surface water is 7.098 sq kilometers.
The distance from Pittsburgh to Washington DC is 193 miles.
The distance to the Pennsylvania state capital is 164 miles. (as the crow flies)
Pittsburgh is positioned 40.43 degrees north of the equator and 79.97 degrees west of the prime meridian.
Pittsburgh elevation is 1,223 feet above sea level.
Pittsburgh per capita income is $ 19,159.
Pittsburgh average annual precipitation is 36 inches peryear.
The average low temperature is (winter) 20.8 degrees F.
The average high temperature is (summer) 82.5 degrees F.
The average winter temperature is 33.7 degrees F.
The average summer temperature is 82.6 degrees F.

Location

in western Pennsylvania where the "Three Rivers" - The Allegheny and the Monongahela meet and form the Ohio River.

Here is a map page for the area.
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Geography

plateaus and hillsides along with narrow valleys and rivers. The area has many local neighborhoods known by residents as individual communities.
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Weather

seasonal. Call (412) 391-9500 for Time and Temperature. Precipitation falls evenly throughout the year. Summers aren't too hot, but can have high humidity.
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History & History Related Items

During the 1700's a dispute between the French and the English came about over each country's claim to the Ohio Valley. The French built an outpost on the Allegheny River. The English quickly built a fort to defend their position. They placed it at the junction of the three rivers. The officer choosing the site was, then Major, George Washington. In 1758 Pittsborough was named in honor of the British statesman, William Pitt.

After the Revolutionary War, the city, then called Pittsburgh, grew rapidly. By the late 1700's, the iron and steel industry was already being established here. By the turn of the 18th century, the area had a post office, a network of roads and also the first newspaper published west of the Allegheny Mountains, The Pittsburgh Gazette.

During the 1800's, Industry won its place in Pittsburgh and gave the city its nickname of "The Iron City." All of this industry also gave Pittsburgh another nickname of "The Smoky City" because of all the billows of smoke from the thousands of stacks in the city. By the end of World War II, steps began to be taken to clean up the air in Pittsburgh. Gradually, the air became cleaner and the area more pleasant with its clearer skies.

A history page from the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh. This page has many history links.

The Pittsburgh Regional History Center

The nickname for Pittsburgh, "The Big Little City," reflects Pittsburgh's big city amenities, professional sports teams, world-renowned symphony orchestra, opera, museums etc., while still maintaining its small town charms (tight-knit neighborhoods, friendly people, short commutes, everything Downtown is within walking distance, etc.)

FOOTSTEPS OF HISTORY home page
Click here for the Civil War trail.
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The founding of Pittsburgh

1758

The incorporation of Pittsburgh

1816

Attractions

The Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh
Phone: (412) 622-3114
This library was built in 1895 and is known to be one of the nation's foremost public libraries. Over 4 million items are among its resources.

Allegheny Observatory
Phone: (412) 321-2400
One of the top observatories in the world. A park surrounding the observatory offers picnicking, tennis and other recreational areas.

Cathedral of Learning
Phone: (412) 624-6000
The University of Pittsburgh
Bigelow Blvd, 5th Ave., Bellefield Ave. and Forbes Ave.
See the 42 story Gothic stone tower. Classrooms and a commons in the center on some floors are ethnically styled representing many periods. During holiday times, the rooms are decorated according to that area's holiday traditions.

The Carnegie Museum of Natural History
"Home of the Dinosaurs"
Phone: (412) 622-3131
This museum is not to be missed! 10 full skeletons, including a T-Rex, may be seen here. Among its other features are: Hall of Ancient Egypt, Polar World, Benedum Hall of Geology and much, much more.

Hartwood
215 Saxonburg Blvd
Pittsburgh, PA
Phone: (412) 767-9200
A 629 acre re-creation of an English estate which includes a Gothic Tudor mansion, gardens and stables.

Historical Society of Western Pennsylvania
4338 Bieglow Blvd.
Pittsburgh, PA
Phone: (412) 681-5533
Glass displays and other exhibits. Special exhibits, lecture and film series are also present throughout the year.

Pittsburgh Zoo
Phone: (412) 665-3640
Please call for directions.
Much to see here including a tropical rain forest, an Asian Forest, an African Savanna, and the Aqua Zoo.

Fort Pitt Museum
in Point State Park
Phone: (412) 281-9284
Early history of western Pennsylvania with exhibits, models, dioramas, and reconstructed historical buildings.

Pittsburgh Children's Museum
in the Old Post Office Building at one Landmarks Square
Phone: (412) 322-5058
Interactive exhibits designed for children 12 and under, puppet shows, storytelling and more.

the Soldier's and Sailor's Memorial
As well as a public (county) meeting space and auditorium, the building houses a collection of uniforms, weapons, and artifacts from the Civil War, as well as other wars. Pittsburgh industry was an important supply source during the Civil War and was a major point on one route of the "underground railroad."
4141 5th Ave
Pittsburgh, PA 15213-3547
Phone: 412-621-4253

About Pittsburgh - a guide to Greater Pittsburgh and the area. Learn

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Allegheny County has more than 1,700 bridges, 720 within city limits, and 15 major bridges crossing downtown Pittsburgh alone

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The population of Pittsburgh was:
1990 - 369,879
2000 - 334,563

This is a fact sheet for Pittsburgh.