Erie is a city situated in the northwestern region of Pennsylvania, United States. It was named after the Native American tribe and the lake they resided along its southern coast. With a population of approximately 102,000 the city of Erie is the fourth biggest city within the state. The Metropolitan Area consists of roughly 280,000 inhabitants. The Urbanized Area population is roughly 195,000. The city of Erie forms the seat of government for the County of Erie.
Erie is located near New York, Buffalo, Pennsylvania, Pittsburgh and Cleveland, Ohio. The manufacturing sector is a prominent staple of the local economy and the area used to be busy with heavy industry. Healthcare, tourism and higher education are emerging as the economy's greater driving factors. Presque Isle State Park is visited by millions on an annual basis for water recreation. There are other attractions like for example a horse racetrack and a casino that have been named for the state park.
Erie was founded during the year 1795. It was originally settled by both French and English settlers. Soon after, Erie became a significant port which focused initially on the salt trade. In 1813, among the proudest historical moments occurred in the city when Commodore Oliver Perry, whose majority of ships was constructed in the city of Erie, defeated the British in the Battle of Lake Erie during the War of the year 1812.
The city of Erie eventually became a railroad hub, helping the westward expansion of America and emerged as a maritime hub. By the 20th century, the city of Erie has become a huge industrial hub. The manufacturing focus was mostly on iron and steel. Now, the city has grown to attract a more diverse mix of mid-sized industries. For instance, small plastic and steel plants have emerged and become driving forces within the economy of the city. The tourism sector has essentially grown in recent years as well.
The city is the main access point to Lake Erie, the Saint Lawrence Seaway and the Great Lakes for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. There are several places of interest in the city for both culture and recreation. Like for instance, the Erie Children's Museum specializes in tourists between the ages of 2 and 12 and provides a huge selection of interactive displays in the areas of science and the humanities. The Erie Art Museum is located in a former U.S. Customs House. It offers a wealth of changing art exhibits focusing a lot on folk art and modern art.