Pittsburgh is the second-largest city in Pennsylvania, with over 300,000 residents in the city limits and nearly three million in the metropolitan area. Located in the western part of the state, Pittsburgh goes by several nicknames, including “Steel City” (Pittsburgh was famous for steel production during World War II and beyond) and the “City of Bridges.” Pittsburgh’s 445 bridges are due to three rivers in the downtown area, where the Allegheny River and the Monongahela River meet to form the Ohio River.
Pittsburgh is known for its advancements in health care and education. The area is home to 68 colleges and universities, including the University of Pittsburgh, Carnegie Mellon University, and Duquesne University. Many of the colleges in the area are affiliated with research powerhouse and medical provider University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC). U.S. News and World Report rank the institution as one of the top 20 hospitals in the nation. UPMC employs over 92,000 workers in more than 800 clinical and outpatient locations. The UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh is also ranked as one of the top 10 pediatric centers in the country.
In addition to health care, Pittsburgh is known for its burgeoning technological industries. Large firms such as Google, Apple, and Amazon have headquarters in the city. Google recently grew its location and now employs over 760 people with more expansions planned. The nearly 2,000 technology companies in Pittsburgh contribute $20 billion to annual employee payroll and have helped Pittsburgh reach the rank of the sixth-best city for US job growth. The city is also well-known in the financial industry. PNC Financial Services Group is headquartered in Pittsburgh and is recognized as the fifth-largest bank in America.
Pittsburgh is known for its recreational activities and professional sports teams. The Pirates baseball team has won five World Series, the Steelers football team has won six Super Bowl titles, and the Penguins ice hockey team has won five Stanley Cups. Another team in the city is the Pittsburgh Passion, an all-women football team in the Women’s Football Alliance.
The city is also known for its professional orchestra, the Pittsburgh Symphony. Touted as one of the best in the country, the orchestra performs regular concerts in Heinz Hall, located in the downtown cultural district. The symphony tours internationally and is led by Austrian conductor, Manfred Honeck.
Pittsburgh has many unique attractions. The Duquesne Incline is a 140-year-old cable car that carries riders up a steep embankment with panoramic views of downtown and the three rivers. The car is not suspended in the air but glides over a track affixed to the hillside. USA Today Weekend Magazine ranked the view from the top as one of the 10 most beautiful in America.
Another attraction is the Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens. Housed in and around a massive glass structure from 1893, the conservatory features seasonal plants, detailed landscaping, and unique art collections. The gardens contain many species, from tropical to desert plants, as well as bonsai trees, fruits, and spices. One of the most prized displays is the Orchid Room, which showcases orchids of all colors, some true species, and others hybrids. In 2018, the conservatory won honorary awards from the National Capital Orchid Society and the Orchid Society of Western Pennsylvania, while 16 plants won individual awards.
