Guide Note
Pittsburgh is the second largest city in Pennsylvania and the 20th largest in the United States. Downtown Pittsburgh is located just between the confluence of the Allegheny and Monongahela rivers where the Ohio River begins.
Fast Facts
- Country: United States
- State: Pennsylvania
- Mayor: Luke Ravenstahl
- Population: 312,819 (2006)
- Has 446 bridges
- Founded: 1758
- Nicknames: Steel City, City of Champions, The 'Burgh, Iron City, Steel Town, City of Bridges
- Colleges: University of Pittsburgh, Carnegie-Mellon University, Duquesne University
History
The history of Pittsburgh dates back to before the French and Indian War when the French constructed Fort Duquesne at the confluence. It was later later overtaken by the General John Forbes and expanded into Fort Pitt. After the War of 1812 Pittsburgh became more industrialized which continued to grow over the next century. Throughout the first half of the 20th century, Pittsburgh dominated the steel market and continued industrial growth with companies such as Westinghouse, Alcoa, Carnegie Steel Company and U.S. Steel. Beginning in the middle of the century, Pittsburgh began to move in a different direction. Mayor David L. Lawrence launched urban renewal and air cleaning movements that lasted decades. The city began to lose it's industrial momentum and shifted towards a more service, technology and biomedical oriented economy. Much of the urban population began to move to the nearby suburbs, Pittsburgh's population is currently half of what it was in the 50's.
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