Beacon
Pittsburgh Fast Facts
Founded: 1758
Incorporated: 1816
City Population: 350,363
Allegheny County Population: 1,336,449
Median Family Income (1997): $38,200 (within city limits)
Unemployment Rate: 4.2%
Median Home Sale Price (1999): $53,438
Average High Temperature (July): 82.5° F
Average Low Temperature (January): 20.8° F
Also Known As (AKA): The Burgh
Geography
Area: 55.5 Square Miles
Rank: 13th Largest City in the Nation
Elevation: 1.223 Feet
Port: Pittsburgh is the nation's largest inland port, providing access to
the extensive 9,000 mile U.S. inland waterway system.
Education
Public Schools 92
Private Schools 72
Parochial Schools 58
Proprietary Schools 38
Colleges & Universities 8
Churches
Protestant 348
Roman Catholic 86
Jewish 2
Orthodox 8
Media
Major Newspapers
Radio Stations 32
Television Stations 8
Travel Economy
3.9 million people visit Pittsburgh annually, making travel a $2.2 billion
industry that provides more than 35,000 full-time equivalent jobs in the
Pittsburgh region.
Are We There Yet?
Pittsburgh is within 500 miles of more than half the U.S. population, and
the city is less than 90 minutes flying time from 20 states and Canada.
Sales Tax
Allegheny County sales tax (which includes Pittsburgh) is 7%. Clothing,
groceries and specialty foods are tax-free.
Speed Limit
65 mph on major highways; 25 mph in most city neighborhoods
Information and photos courtesy of about.pittsburgh.com
1 a feature by staff writers Jenna Dominick, Alyssa Peconi, & Amy Sabo
Pittsburgh and Erie
both have unique
areas and attrac-
Top: Perhaps there
are some Pirates
playing in PNC
Park. Middle: A
shot of the Pitts-
tions to entertain
visitors from any-
where
burgh skyline.
Bottom: An over-
head view of
Presque Isle State
Park, which ex
tends right into
Lake Erie.
by Jenna Dominick
staff writer
Erie and Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
Two cities, both in the western part of
the same state, but just how similar are
they, or how different? Looking at these
two cities, there are many similarities
and differences. Let's take a look at
some key aspects of what each has to
offer.
One similarity between the two cities
is the large amount of water each is
known for. In Erie, Lake Erie is one of
the Great Lakes of the nation. In
Pittsburgh there are three rivers; the
Monongahela and the Allegheny meet
to form the Ohio River at Point State
Park. Also, many covered bridges are
found in and around both cities.
For sports fans, Pittsburgh offers a
wide array of various activities. The
Penguins play professional hockey in
Mellon Arena, and the Steelers play
football in the new, state-of-the-art
Heinz Field. PNC Park was built
recently for the Pittsburgh Pirates
baseball team. The Riverhounds are a
professional outdoor soccer team, whose
home is in the Burgh, and plans for a
new soccer stadium are in the works.
Pittsburgh area college sports are also
big.
Erie features the Otter's hockey team.
Also, the Sea Wolves are a Class AA
baseball team which plays at Jerry Uht
Park.
Comparing eateries around the towns,
both have standard chain restaurants
such as Max and Erma's, McDonald's,
and Damon's
However, there is not a Fazoli's or
Smoky Bones to be found in Pittsburgh
as they are in Erie. Pittsburgh can boast
a new Hard Rock Café, and also the
10 Fun Things to do in Erie
Go to Waldameer Park
Check out Presque Isle
Cheer on the Otters or
Sea Wolves
Take a journey yhrough the
Erie Art Museum
Go shopping at Millcreek Mall
Meander through Erie Zoo
Ride a sled down the big hill
behind the Science Building
Be an adventurous at Family
First Sports Park
Gaze at the stars at the
Planetarium
10. Go wild at the Metro
Top 10 Ways to
Experience Pittsburgh
Ride the Duquesne Incline
Have lunch at Primantis
Can't miss Point State
Park
Spend an afternoon at one
of the Carnegie Museums
Take in a game at one of
the new sports stadiums
Visit the Cathedral of
Learning
Take a historic walking
tour
8. Wander through
Allegheny Cemetery
9. Board the Good Ship
Lollipop
10. Experience the South Side
when the sun goes down
infamous Primanti Brothers.
Many notable colleges and
universities are found in each city. For
example, Erie has Mercyhurst College
and Gannon University. and of course,
Penn State Behrend! Pittsburgh offers
a great selection, such as Carnegie
Mellon University, Carlow College, and
Chatham College.
They are all located in the heart of
Pittsburgh. Duquesne University and
the University of Pittsburgh, as well as
Laßoche and Point Park College are also
in the Steel City.
There is a plethora of attractions, no
matter which city you choose. In Erie,
you can go to Jr.'s for loads of laughs:
the Funny Bone in Pittsburgh provides
a relaxed atmosphere and a stream of
comedians. You can catch the Erie
Philarmonic or a play at the Roadhouse
Theatre for Contemporary Arts in Erie,
or enjoy the Pittsburgh Symphony
Orchestra or musical or ballet at the
Benedum or Heinz Hall.
Family First Sports Park provides
adventurous activities in Erie, and so
does Sports Works on the North Side of
Pittsburgh. A new indoor water park is
opening soon in Erie, and you can bet
on your lucky horse at the Erie Downs.
Idewild Park and Sandcastle will get you
soaked with water and fun around
Pittsburgh, and the Meadowlands offer
various games and races.
As far as the nightlife is concerned.
Pittsburgh offers more clubs such as
Laga, Metropol, and Rock Jungle, Erie
also asserts The Metro as the hopping
night spot. Both cities also have a
multitude of bars.
Both cities offer zoos, museums, and
historical landmarks.
Erie, however, supplies a lighthouse.
The Erie Land Light entered service in
layout by Rob Wynne
1818, overlooking the harbor of Erie.
Many changes and renovations have
been made since. Also, Erie claims
the best sunsets.
A Sunset camera takes pictures
every 15 seconds of Erie's bay, and
posts them on the web at GoErie.com.
Pittsburgh offers the Duquesne Incline
that travels up to Mount Washington
and provides an excellent view of the
Pittsburgh skyline. There is also
Kennywood Park, a National Historic
Landmark amusement park with
classic rides and new thrills.
Movie theaters are sparse in Erie,
with Tinseltown being the main
attraction. Around Pittsburgh. there
are at least 20 theaters in the
surrounding area. Also, there are five
or six malls in the Pittsburgh area,
while Erie only has one, Millcreek
Mall.
This difference in options may be
due to sizes of each city. According
to the 2000 census, in the cities alone,
there are 350, 363 people in
Pittsburgh, while only 103,717 dwell
in Erie.
The climates are similar, though. In
Pittsburgh, the average high
temperature is 82.5, and in Erie it is
76.4. The average lows are 20.8, and
20.0, respectively. Erie's city area is
19.3 square miles. whereas
Pittsburgh's is 55.5 square miles. It is
the 13th largest city in the nation, and
Erie ranks as the fourth largest city in
the state.
There seem to be many similarities
and differences between Pittsburgh
and Erie. But one thing is for sure:
Both have many things to do, places
to learn, sports to see, and food to eat.
Check them out for yourself!
Left: A night
shot of
downtown
Pittsburgh.
Below
Erie's
lighthouse
on Presque
Isle.
Photos by
Michael
Briggs;
reprinted
with permis
sion.