Destination Information - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA

Pittsburgh is located in Allegheny County and is the largest inland port in the United States. George Washington was sent to the Pittsburgh region in 1753 and reported that the area was well suited for a fort. Fort Pitt was later built and the town was founded in 1764.

Pittsburgh was the place where many of America's heavy industries grew most strongly during the 19th century, such as steel, aluminum, and plate glass. Unfortunately, the city was so filled with smoke that it became known as "Smoky City." A smoke control program was started in 1941 and since the 1950s, residents of Pittsburgh have enjoyed much cleaner air. The industrial base has shifted from heavy industry to a greater emphasis on high tech and education.

Pittsburgh is situated at the confluence of the Allegheny River and the Monongahela River, which then forms the Ohio River.