The Great Pennsylvania Burg Hunt: Counting Castles or Counting Communities?
Ah, Pennsylvania. Land of liberty bells, cheesesteaks, and... an alarming number of places with "burg" tacked onto the end. Have you ever cruised down a Pennsylvania highway and done a mental double-take at the sheer volume of New Wilmerdingsburgvilles you pass? You're not alone, my friend. This abundance of "burgs" has us scratching our heads and muttering, "Just how many burgs are there, anyway?"
But First, Burgatory: What Exactly Qualifies as a "Burg?"
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Hold your horses, there, castle-crazed comrades. While "burg" originally referred to a fortified settlement (think a mini-medieval Camelot), in Pennsylvania, it's more of a municipal moniker. Boroughs, to be precise. These are incorporated communities with their own local government, separate from townships and cities.
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So, How Many Boroughs Be Be-Boroughing Pennsylvania?
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Here's where things get interesting. Buckle up, because this is where we unleash the NUMBER CRUNCH! As of the latest census, Pennsylvania boasts a whopping 956 boroughs and a single, slightly-less-common town. That's right, folks, nearly a thousand "burgs" dotting the Pennsylvanian landscape. Enough to make a bard want to sing a ballad of burg-filled bliss (or maybe just grab a cheesesteak).
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Fun Facts: Not All Burgs Are Created Equal
- The Mighty and the Mini: Pennsylvania has some heavy hitters in the burg department, like Chambersburg (population over 20,000) and Waynesburg (clocking in around 4,000). But there are also some charmingly petite burgs, like Shickshinny (under 800 residents) where everyone probably knows everyone's business (and secret pie recipe).
- Burg-tastic Byways: Ever heard of "String Towns?" These are clusters of boroughs strung together along a road. Take, for example, the ever-so-slightly-confusing "Monongahela Valley String Towns" - a collection of, you guessed it, burgs!
How To: Frequently Asked Burg-tastic Questions
- How To Find a Specific Burg: If you're searching for a particular Pennsylvania burgery, https://dced.pa.gov/ is your friend!
- How To Become a Burg Dweller: Thinking of joining the burg life? Research the specific borough you're interested in. Each has its own vibe and, likely, some pretty epic borough-specific festivals (think zucchini races or pie-eating contests).
- How To Talk Like a Burg Local: Master the subtle art of saying "yinz" instead of "you guys" and you'll be well on your way to fitting in.
- How To Celebrate Your Burg Pride: Rock a "Burgers Rule!" t-shirt or bake a "Burgundy Velvet" cake (it's red velvet, get it?).
- How To Appreciate the Burg-tastic Charm of Pennsylvania: Just cruise the countryside, soak up the small-town vibes, and maybe even stop for a friendly chat with a local on a rocking chair porch. After all, that's the true beauty of Pennsylvania's burgs.
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