Reading, Pennsylvania

Reading is the fifth largest city in Pennsylvania. Located on the southeastern part of the state, where it is county seat of Berks County, Reading covers 10.1 sq mi (26.2 sq km) and has a population of 88,000 people (2011 estimate).

Reading, Pennsylvania
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Reading_Urban.jpg
Author: Nicholas


The climate of Reading is somewhere between the humid subtropical and the humid continental. Its summers are hot and humid, while its winters can often get bitterly cold. July is the warmest month, with temperatures of 85°F on the high side. January is the coldest month, when temperatures drop to 21°F or lower. Rain is quite evenly distributed, though May seems to be the wettest month, receiving 4.5 in of rainfall.

The city of Reading was founded by Richard and Thomas Penn, sons of William Penn (founder of Pennsylvania), in 1743. They named it after the town of Reading, England, which was their hometown. When Berks County was created in 1752, Reading was made the county seat.

Wanner Mansion, Reading, Pennsylvania
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Wanner_Mansion.jpg
Author: Smallbones


In the early years, it had an iron industry which during the American Revolutionary War outstripped that of England. The factories of Scranton manufactured arms to support George Washington in the Revolutionary War.

Scranton experienced rapid growth in the years after the Long Depression (1873-1896), and before the onset of the Great Depression (1930s). During those years of prosperity, it even had a brass era car company, the Daniels. An economic downturn reach Scranton in the 1940s and remained till the 1970s, weighed down by the poor competitiveness of its heavy industry. It was only towards the end of the 20th century that the city began to revitalize. The population, which had gone into decline in the second half of the 20th century shows signs of upswing.

Liberty Fire Company No 5, Reading
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Liberty_No_5_Reading_PA.jpg
Author: Smallbones

Visiting Reading

Interstate 176 and US Highway 222 are the two main highways connecting Reading with the rest of the country.

Places of Interest in Reading

 Latest updates on Penang Travel Tips

Songs about Penang

About this website

Hello and thanks for reading this page. My name is Timothy and my hobby is in describing places so that I can share the information with the general public. My website has become the go to site for a lot of people including students, teachers, journalists, etc. whenever they seek information on places, particularly those in Malaysia and Singapore. I have been doing this since 5 January 2003, for over twenty years already. You can read about me at Discover Timothy. By now I have compiled information on thousands of places, mostly in Peninsular Malaysia and Singapore, and I continue to add more almost every day. My goal is to describe every street in every town in Malaysia and Singapore.