Philadelphia at a glance

Founded: 1682. King Charles II of England granted the land to William Penn, an English Quaker, in order to pay off a debt he owed to Penn's father

Nicknames: City of Brotherly Love; The City that Loves You Back.

Population: 1.5 million people within city limits; 5 million including the entire metropolitan area. Fifth-largest city in the country; second-largest on the East Coast.

Demographics: 48 percent white; 42 percent African-American; 7 percent Hispanic; 3 percent Asian/Pacific Islander

Area: 136 square miles

Mayor: John Street (D)

City council: 17 members total (10 district members, 7 at-large members)

Congressmen: Rep. Bob Brady (D-01) elected in 1998 to represent Center City and South Philadelphia; Rep. Chaka Fattah (D-02) elected in 1994 to represent West and North Philadelphia; Rep. Robert Borski (D-03) elected in 1982 to represent Northeast Philadelphia.

Philadelphia government: The city has a "strong mayor" form of government, with the mayor limited to two four-year terms. Philadelphia has had Democratic mayors for 52 years. The last Republican mayor was Bernard Samuel in 1948. Ed Rendell, the current chairman of the Democratic National Committee, was elected mayor in 1991. He has been praised for his handling of a $230 million deficit that confronted him in his early years in City Hall. John Street, the former president of Philadelphia's City Council, was elected mayor in November 1999. He narrowly defeated Republican financial consultant Sam Katz.

Philadelphia -- Cradle of Liberty: In 1752, Philadelphia's famous Liberty Bell is delivered from London's Whitechapel Foundry. The bell's signature crack is reported to have occurred on July 8, 1835, when the bell tolled to mark the death of Chief Justice John Marshall. The last time the bell rang clearly was February 1846, when it rang in tribute to George Washington. In 1774, the First Continental Congress met at Carpenter's Hall in Philadelphia. On July 4th, 1776, the Continental Congress formally adopted the Declaration of Independence. On September 17th, 1787, the U.S. Constitution was signed in Philadelphia. Philadelphia was the nation's capital for 10 years, from 1790 to 1800. Congress met in Congress Hall (next to Independence Hall).

Philadelphia culture: The "Mummer Parade" is a unique Philadelphia event where costumed participants, string bands and comics all march up Broad Street on New Year's Day.

Filmmaker Jonathan Demme once called Philadelphia "the most film-friendly city in America." A few of the films set in Philadelphia are: "Rocky," "Two Bits," "The Sixth Sense," "Witness," "Trading Places," "Mannequin," and (naturally) "Philadelphia."

Philadelphia's Center City boasts 471 restaurants.

Musical artists from Philadelphia include Marian Anderson, Paul Robeson, Billie Holiday, Mario Lanza, Fabian, Frankie Avalon, Bobby Rydell and Chubby Checker. Recent Philadelphia pop singers include Patti LaBelle, Darryl Hall & John Oates, and Will Smith.

Entertainers from Philadelphia include Bill Cosby, Jack Klugman and Elaine May.

Athletes who began their careers in Philadelphia include Mike Schmidt (baseball), Mike Piazza (baseball), Joe Frazier (boxing), Bill Tilden (tennis), Wilt Chamberlain (basketball), and Julius Erving (basketball).

Philadelphia geography: The gridiron of the streets in central Philadelphia (the area known as "Center City") follows the original plan of the city's founder, William Penn. Penn Square, located midway between the two rivers and occupied by City Hall, marks the city center. Fairmount Park is the nation's largest landscaped municipal park. Southwark, Society Hill and Independence Hall together constitute the oldest section of Philadelphia.

The statue of William Penn on top of Philadelphia's City Hall is the largest sculpture to sit atop any building in the world. It stands 37 feet tall and weighs 53,523 pounds. After the building was completed in 1901, a gentleman's agreement prevented the construction of buildings taller than City Hall. The agreement lasted until 1989.

Philadelphia's harbor is known as Ameriport. It is the largest freshwater port in the world.

Sources: Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce; Greater Philadelphia Tourism Marketing Corporation; Philadelphia Firsts 1681-1899 (web site); Philadelphia Official Visitors Guide, Spring/Summer 2000; Republican National Convention