Geography Philadelphia

1 geography

1.1 topography
1.2 cityscape

1.2.1 city planning
1.2.2 architecture


1.3 climate

geography

landsat simulated-color image of philadelphia , delaware river


topography

the geographic center of philadelphia located approximately @ 40° 0′ 34″ north latitude , 75° 8′ 0″ west longitude. 40th parallel north passes through neighborhoods in northeast philadelphia, north philadelphia, , west philadelphia including fairmount park. city encompasses 142.71 square miles (369.62 km), of 134.18 square miles (347.52 km) land , 8.53 square miles (22.09 km), or 6%, water. natural bodies of water include delaware , schuylkill rivers, lakes in franklin delano roosevelt park, , cobbs, wissahickon, , pennypack creeks. largest artificial body of water east park reservoir in fairmount park.

the lowest point 10 feet (3 m) above sea level, while highest point in chestnut hill, 445 feet (136 m) above sea level near intersection of germantown avenue , bethlehem pike.

philadelphia situated on fall line separates atlantic coastal plain piedmont. rapids on schuylkill river @ east falls inundated completion of dam @ fairmount water works.

the city seat of own county. adjacent counties montgomery northwest; bucks north , northeast; burlington county, new jersey, east; camden county, new jersey, southeast; gloucester county, new jersey, south; , delaware county southwest.

cityscape


panoramic view of center city skyline, viewed across delaware river east in camden, new jersey comcast center , spired 1 liberty place 2 tallest skyscrapers, 2008




skyline @ twilight southwest on south street bridge, 2016 (annotated version)




skyline @ night northwest on spring garden street bridge comcast technology center toward left crane on roof, 2017 (annotated version)


city planning


a portraiture of city of philadelphia, thomas holme - first map of philadelphia, ca. 1683

philadelphia s central city created in 17th century following plan william penn s surveyor thomas holme. center city structured long straight streets running due east-west , north-south, forming grid pattern between delaware , schuylkill rivers aligned courses. original city plan designed allow easy travel , keep residences separated open space prevent spread of fire. penn planned creation of 5 public parks in city renamed in 1824 (new names in parenthesis): centre square (penn square), northeast square (franklin square), southeast square (washington square), southwest square (rittenhouse square), , northwest square (logan circle/square). center city had estimated 183,240 residents of 2015, making second-most populated downtown area in united states, after midtown manhattan in new york city.

philadelphia s neighborhoods divided large sections—north, northeast, south, southwest philadelphia, west, , northwest—surrounding center city, corresponds closely city s limits before consolidation in 1854. each of these large areas contains numerous neighborhoods, of boundaries derive boroughs, townships, , other communities constituted philadelphia county before inclusion within city.

the city planning commission, tasked guiding growth , development of city, has divided city 18 planning districts part of philadelphia2035 physical development plan. of city s 1980 zoning code overhauled 2007 2012 part of joint effort between former mayors john f. street , michael nutter. zoning changes intended rectify incorrect zoning maps in order facilitate future community development, city forecasts additional 100,000 residents , 40,000 jobs added 2035.

the philadelphia housing authority largest landlord in pennsylvania. established in 1937, nation s fourth-largest housing authority, housing 84,000 people , employing 1,250. in 2013, budget $371 million. philadelphia parking authority works ensure adequate parking city residents, businesses , visitors.

architecture


christ church - example of georgian architecture

philadelphia s architectural history dates colonial times , includes wide range of styles. earliest structures constructed logs, brick structures common 1700. during 18th century, cityscape dominated georgian architecture, including independence hall , christ church.

in first decades of 19th century, federal , greek revival architecture dominant styles produced philadelphia architects such benjamin latrobe, william strickland, john haviland, john notman, thomas walter, , samuel sloan. frank furness considered philadelphia s greatest architect of second half of 19th century. contemporaries included john mcarthur jr., addison hutton, wilson eyre, wilson brothers, , horace trumbauer. in 1871, construction began on second empire-style philadelphia city hall. philadelphia historical commission created in 1955 preserve cultural , architectural history of city. commission maintains philadelphia register of historic places, adding historic buildings, structures, sites, objects , districts sees fit.

in 1932, philadelphia became home first modern international style skyscraper in united states, psfs building, designed george howe , william lescaze. 548 ft (167 m) city hall remained tallest building in city until 1987 when 1 liberty place completed. numerous glass , granite skyscrapers built in center city beginning in late 1980s. in 2007, comcast center surpassed 1 liberty place become city s tallest building. comcast technology center under construction in center city expected completion in 2018. new tower reach height of 1,121 ft (342 m), , tallest building in united states outside of manhattan , chicago.

for of philadelphia s history, typical home has been row house. row house introduced united states via philadelphia in 19th century and, time, row houses built elsewhere in united states known philadelphia rows . variety of row houses found throughout city, federal-style continuous blocks in old city , society hill victorian-style homes in north philadelphia twin row houses in west philadelphia. while newer homes have been built recently, of housing dates 18th, 19th , 20th centuries, has created problems such urban decay , vacant lots. neighborhoods, including northern liberties , society hill, have been rehabilitated through gentrification.

climate

according köppen climate classification, philadelphia falls under northern periphery of humid subtropical climate zone (köppen cfa), whereas according trewartha climate classification, city has temperate maritime climate (do). summers typically hot , muggy, fall , spring mild, , winter cold.

snowfall highly variable, winters consist of light snow while others consist of major snowstorms, normal seasonal snowfall standing @ 22.4 in (57 cm); snow in november or april rare , sustained snow cover rare. precipitation spread throughout year, 8 twelve wet days per month, @ average annual rate of 41.5 inches (1,050 mm), historically ranging 29.31 in (744 mm) in 1922 64.33 in (1,634 mm) in 2011. rain recorded in 1 day occurred on july 28, 2013, when 8.02 in (204 mm) fell @ philadelphia international airport.

the january daily average temperature 33.0 °f (0.6 °c), though, in normal winter, temperature rises 50 °f (10 °c) during thaws , dips 10 °f (−12 °c) 2 or 3 nights. july averages 78.1 °f (25.6 °c), although heat waves accompanied high humidity , heat indices frequent; highs reach or exceed 90 °f (32 °c) on 27 days of year. average window freezing temperatures november 6 thru april 2, allowing growing season of 217 days. fall , late winter dry; february s average precipitation of 2.64 inches (67 mm) makes area s driest month. dewpoint in summer averages between 59.1 °f (15 °c) 64.5 °f (18 °c).

seasonal snowfall accumulation has ranged trace amounts in 1972–73 78.7 inches (200 cm) in winter of 2009–10. city s heaviest single-storm snowfall, @ 30.7 in (78 cm), occurred in january 1996.

the highest recorded temperature 106 °f (41 °c) on august 7, 1918, temperatures @ or above 100 °f (38 °c) uncommon. lowest officially recorded temperature −11 °f (−24 °c) on february 9, 1934. temperatures @ or below 0 °f (−18 °c) rare last such occurrence being january 19, 1994. record low maximum 5 °f (−15 °c) on february 10, 1899, , december 30, 1880, while record high minimum 83 °f (28 °c) on july 23, 2011, , july 24, 2010.

in american lung association 2015 state of air report, philadelphia county received ozone grade of f , 24-hour particle pollution rating of c.

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