Harrisburg
See also: Harrisburg (homonymy)
Harrisburg is the capital of the State (or the Commonwealth ) of Pennsylvania, with the the United States, and the seat of the Comté of Dolphin. She played an important role in the history of the country, in particular during the migration towards the west, the American Civil War and the Industrial revolution. The municipality only gathers: 48950 inhabitants (2000) but is it city-center of an urban surface of more than: 500000 inhabitants, the fourth of the State.
History
The city is known to have been the framework of a nuclear accident, that of Three Mile Island. The March 28th 1979, the second engine of the nuclear plant, located at about fifteen km in the south of the city on the Susquehanna river, partly melted.
Geography
Harrisburg is located at 40°16 ′ 11 ″ NR, 76°52 ′ 32 ″ W, in the valley of Susquehanna, a rich and fertile agricultural area located at the center-south of the State of Pennsylvania, in periphery of the Megalopolis (BosWash).According to the Office of the census of the United States, the city has an total surface area of 29,6 km ² (11,4 semi ²). 21 km ² (8.1 semi ²) of ground and 8,6 km ² (3,3 semi ²) of water levels, is 29,11% of the total.
Demography
Culture
The principal cultural centres of the city are:
-
the National Civilian War Museum , located at Tank Park .
- the Pennsylvania State Farm Show Arena , one of the most important centers of exposure of the east coast.
- the Pennsylvania State Capitol Complex .
- the State Museum off Pennsylvania .
- the Whitaker Center for Science and the Arts .
Monuments
As a capital of the state of Pennsylvania, Harrisburg has its Capitole. Built between 1901 and 1906, its dome central rises with a 83 meters height. It was built according to a traditional style Renaissance by the architect Joseph Mr. Huston who was undoubtedly inspired by the Basilique Saint-Pierre of Rome (the Vatican).
Policy
The municipality has a system of strong mayor since 1970, which separates the executive powers and legislature. The mandate of the mayor lasts four years and can be renewed unbounded. The current mayor is Stephen R. Deed (D.). He is assisted by seven city council men and the City Treasurer and the City Controller elected by the inhabitants of the city.
The Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. City Government Center , is used as principal administrative center for the city. The Dolphin County Government Complex , gathers the offices of the county of Dolphin.
The Pennsylvania State Capitol Complex gathers the essence of the administration of the state and is an important governmental and political center on the levels regional and national. Some services occupy of the appendices, all located in the city.
The Federal Ronald Reagan Building and Courthouse , located him also in the downtown area, is occupied by the offices of the federal government for the area.
See too
References