How Many Square Miles Is Philadelphia Pennsylvania

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The Burning Question: How Big is Philly, Anyhow?

Ever looked at a map and thought, "Dang, Philly seems pretty big. But just how big is that cheesesteak-loving metropolis?" Well, my friend, you've stumbled upon the question that has plagued philosophers since Ben Franklin first flew a kite with a key attached (allegedly). Fear not, for I am here to crack the code on Philadelphia's square mileage and unveil the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth (with a healthy dose of humor, of course).

How Many Square Miles Is Philadelphia Pennsylvania
How Many Square Miles Is Philadelphia Pennsylvania

Philly's Not-So-Secret Land Mass: Unveiling the Numbers

Here's the deal: depending on who you ask, you might get a slightly different answer. That's because Philadelphia is a city-county, meaning the city limits encompass the entire county. So, depending on if you're talking total area (land and water) or just solid ground, the numbers shift a bit.

The Grand Total: Buckle up, because Philly boasts a whopping 142.71 square miles (369.62 square kilometers). That's a lot of space for cheesesteaks, Rocky statues, and passionate sports fans!

Landlubber's Paradise: But wait, there's more! Not all of Philly is land. The Delaware and Schuylkill Rivers, along with some lovely parks and creeks, make up a decent chunk of the area. If you're just interested in the solid ground where all the action happens, then Philadelphia clocks in at a respectable 134.18 square miles (347.52 square kilometers).

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So, How Big is Philly? It depends on how you slice it (or should we say, how you slice the cheese whiz?). But here's the gist: Philly's a pretty sizable city with enough space to pack in all the history, culture, and delicious food you can handle.

Fun Facts That May or May not be Entirely Relevant

  • That 142.71 square miles is roughly the size of 91,369 Liberty Bells. (We didn't do the math, but trust us, it's a lot of bells.)
  • If you covered Philadelphia in cheesesteaks, you'd need enough to feed the entire state of Wyoming... twice. (Just a hypothetical scenario, of course.)
  • We're pretty sure Rocky Balboa could run around the perimeter of Philadelphia in under an hour. Maybe.
Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions (Cheesesteak Edition)

How to measure the size of Philadelphia with cheesesteaks?

While not the most scientific method, we recommend starting at the Delaware River and working your way west, lining up cheesesteaks side-by-side. Report back with your findings!

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How to avoid getting lost in a city the size of Philadelphia?

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A good map and a healthy dose of cheesesteak-fueled energy should do the trick.

How to celebrate successfully conquering the vast expanse of Philadelphia?

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Cheesesteak victory dance, obviously.

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How to convince your friends Philly is bigger than they think?

Challenge them to a cheesesteak-eating contest. The winner gets bragging rights (and maybe a nap).

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How to appreciate the true majesty of Philadelphia?

Easy! Grab a cheesesteak, wander the historical streets, and soak up the city's vibrant energy. You won't regret it.

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Quick References
TitleDescription
weather.govhttps://www.weather.gov/ctp
bizjournals.comhttps://www.bizjournals.com/philadelphia
temple.eduhttps://www.temple.edu
pacourts.ushttps://www.pacourts.us
visitpa.comhttps://www.visitpa.com

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