Philadelphia is a big city.
It is in Pennsylvania. Many people live there. It has a lot of history. You can see old buildings. It is a busy place. Do you want to visit?
Philadelphia is a big city in Pennsylvania.
It sits by the Delaware River.
A man named William Penn started the city. He wanted people to worship freely.
He made a peace treaty with the Lenape people.
The city is very famous for its history. Leaders met there to start the nation.
They signed a very important paper there.
Many people love the city's sports teams. It also has many large parks.
There are many schools for students to learn.
Philadelphia is a busy and exciting place to be.
Philadelphia is a large city in Pennsylvania.
It sits near the Delaware River. Over 1.5 million people live in the city. Many more live in the surrounding area. This area is called the Delaware Valley.
A man named William Penn founded the city in 1682. He was a Quaker. He wanted a place where people could worship freely.
Before the city grew, the Lenape people lived there. Penn made a peace treaty with them.
The city has a very big history. It was once the capital of the United States.
Leaders met at Independence Hall. They signed the Declaration of Independence there in 1776. This was a major step for the new nation.
Today, Philadelphia is known for many things. It has many colleges and big parks.
It is also a great place for sports fans. People there are very loyal to their teams. The city is a busy place for business and music too.
Philadelphia is a major city located in the state of Pennsylvania.
It is the most populous city in that state. The city is also the sixth-largest city in the entire United States. As of July 2025, about 1,574,281 people live within the city limits. Many more people live in the surrounding Delaware Valley area. This larger metropolitan region has over 6.33 million residents.
The city sits near the Delaware River and serves as a busy hub for travel and trade.
The city has a very long and important history. Before Europeans arrived, the Lenape people lived in the area.
In 1682, an English Quaker named William Penn founded the city. He wanted to create a place where people could worship freely. Penn even made a treaty of friendship with the Lenape chief, Tammany.
He named the city Philadelphia, which means "brotherly love" in Greek. He planned the streets using a grid to keep houses and gardens spread apart.
Philadelphia played a huge role during the American Revolution. It was a central meeting place for the nation's Founding Fathers.
In 1774, the First Continental Congress met here. Later, the Second Continental Congress met in the city.
During that meeting, leaders adopted the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776. The city also served as the first capital of the United States. It held this title from 1775 until 1776, and again several times until 1800.
Today, the city is a leader in many different fields. It is a famous center for higher education with 17 different colleges and universities.
The city is also known for its science and medicine. Some people call the area "Cellicon Valley" because of its work in cancer treatments.
Business is also very important here. The Philadelphia Stock Exchange is the oldest stock exchange in the country. The city has many large companies and a very busy international airport.
There is much to see and do in Philadelphia. It has more outdoor sculptures and murals than any other city in the nation.
If you love nature, Fairmount Park is one of the largest urban parks in the country.
Sports fans are also very famous here. The city has five professional sports teams.
The fans are known for being very loyal and passionate. You can also hear great music, from soul to rock, throughout the city.
Philadelphia is a major urban center in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania.
It is the most populous city in Pennsylvania. It also ranks as the sixth-most populous city in the United States. As of July 2025, the city has an estimated 1,574,281 residents. The larger Philadelphia metropolitan area is called the Delaware Valley. This region has 6.33 million people. It is the ninth-largest metropolitan area in the nation. The city is a vital hub for business, technology, and culture.
The city's history began long before European arrival. The Lenape people, also called the Delaware Indians, lived in the area. They resided in the village of Shackamaxon. The Lenape lived along the Delaware River watershed. During the 18th century, many Lenape were pushed out of the region. This happened as the Thirteen Colonies expanded. Conflicts and new diseases like smallpox also weakened Lenape communities. Eventually, most moved west toward the Ohio River basin or Oklahoma.
European settlers arrived in the Delaware Valley in the early 17th century. Dutch colonists built Fort Nassau in 1623. Swedish settlers later established the colony of New Sweden in 1638. In 1655, the Dutch took control of the Swedish colony. Eventually, England gained control of the area. In 1681, King Charles II granted a charter to William Penn. Penn was an English Quaker who valued religious freedom.
He bought the land from the local Lenape to ensure peace.
He signed a treaty of friendship with Chief Tammany. Penn named the city Philadelphia, which means "brotherly love" in Greek.
Philadelphia became a central location during the American Revolution. In 1774, the First Continental Congress met at Carpenters' Hall. The Second Continental Congress also met in the city.
During this time, leaders formed the Continental Army. They also elected George Washington as commander. On July 4, 1776, they adopted the Declaration of Independence.
This document was adopted inside Independence Hall. The city also served as the first capital of the United States. It held this role from 1775 to 1776. It served as the capital again several times until 1800.
Today, Philadelphia is a leader in science and education. It has 17 four-year universities and colleges. The city is a major center for academic research. It is also a major biotechnology hub. Some people call it "Cellicon Valley." This name refers to its work developing immunotherapies for cancer.
The city's economy is very strong. The Philadelphia metropolitan area has a gross metropolitan product of US$557.6 billion. It is also home to 13 Fortune 500 corporate headquarters. The Philadelphia Stock Exchange is the oldest in the nation.
Transportation and culture define the modern city. 30 Street Station is a major rail hub. It was the third-busiest Amtrak hub in 2023. The city has an international airport and a seaport.
Philadelphia also has a very famous sports culture. It has five professional sports teams.
The fans are known for being very passionate. The city is also famous for its arts. It has more outdoor sculptures and murals than any other U.S. city.
Fairmount Park is one of the largest urban parks in the country.
Philadelphia connects many different systems and ideas. Its location makes it a major venture capital hub. It sits near New York City and Washington, D.C. This proximity helps its financial and regulatory sectors. The city's music history is also very influential. It has shaped American R&B, soul, and rock music. The city contains 67 National Historic Landmarks. These sites, like Independence Hall, connect the past to the present. Philadelphia remains a place of significant economic and cultural power.
Where will your curiosity go next?
🖼️ Images & Media (40)
+ 28 more
More to explore
✨ What else?
Related topics you might enjoy
🔬 Go deeper
More advanced topics to explore
What is Nepedia?
A free, ad-free encyclopedia for children. Every article is written at five reading levels, so the same page works for a five-year-old and a fifteen-year-old — use the level switcher above to see this one change. No account needed to read.