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Pennsylvania, officially the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, is a state in the United States of America. Founded in the late 17th century as a British colony as a result of a royal land grant, it was the destination of many refugees from Europe seeking freedom from religious persecution. The state played a vital and historic role in American history, being the location of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, the First and Second Continental Congresses, and the pivotal battle of Gettysburg, which turned the tide of the American Civil War. Much of the state fell into anarchy following the beginning of the Wildfire Outbreak in 2010, though some parts have been reclaimed. It has played a pivotal role in Post-Apocalypse America, being the location of Philadelphia, the seat of power of the Civic Republic of Philadelphia. It is the last remaining and still populated city not overrun by hordes.
Pennsylvania came into being in 1681 as a result of a royal land grant to William Penn, the son of the state's namesake. The state is bordered by Delaware to the southeast, Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, Lake Erie and the Canadian province of Ontario to the northwest, New York to the north, and New Jersey to the east. Much of Pennsylvania is covered by forest, and forms part of the Appalachian region that runs through the Eastern United States. Rich in natural resources, especially coal, the state became one of the most important producers of energy in the US, and contains some of the largest reserves of anthracite coal in the world. As coal began to be replaced by other sources, the economy shifted mainly towards manufacturing. Prior to the Wildfire Outbreak, it was the fifth most populous state in the US.
Eugene's expedition pass through Pennsylvania, and decide to spend a night in Pittsburgh. There, they encounter Juanita Sanchez, a survivor who lived in the city. With her, they continue on to Ohio and the Commonwealth.
Philadelphia and Pittsburg were targeted by the U.S. Military as a part of Operation Cobalt, leading to the Second Civil War as both cities were defended by the Pennsylvania National Guard. Ultimately, the National Guard troops were unable to maintain a war on two fronts and they abandoned Pittsburg and the federal forces to fall to a massive incoming horde that the U.S. Military hadn't detected coming. With the help of defecting Air Force pilot Donald Okafor, Philadelphia was saved from destruction, and it became the largest surviving community in North America known as the Civic Republic of Philadelphia with the Pennsylvania National Guard becoming the Civic Republic Military.