Alpha Idiomas: Cultural Immersion: Philadelphia (USA)

▪ The country (United States of America)

The United States of America (commonly referred to as the United States, U.S., USA, or America), is a federal republic composed of 50 states, a federal district of Washington, D.C., five major territories, and various possessions.
It is one of the world's most ethnically diverse and multicultural nations, the product of large-scale immigration from many countries.The geography and climate of the United States are also extremely diverse, and the country is home to a wide variety of wildlife.

USA map - Read more

Philadelphia

This city is a large metropolis, a financial, industrial and cultural center of the United States. Wide choice of attractions, numerous entertainments and friendly atmosphere make this city a popular tourist area.

▪ Tourist spots

▪ Independence Hall
Particular attention should be paid to the historical monuments of Philadelphia. Independence Hall is by far the most popular sight of the city. In the end of the 18th century this hall became the witness of two important events. In 1776 here was proclaimed the Declaration of Independence, and in 1787 the hall became the place of the U.S. Constitution adoption. (Read more)

▪ Italian Market
Shoppers should definitely visit Italian market and Wanamaker's supermarket - the oldest one in the country. In this city you will find several dozens of museums, the most unusual of which is surely Mutter Museum of Medical History devoted to collections of medical equipment and biological exhibits. Tourists can also learn more about the history of the city in Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology. (Read more)

▪ Gloria Dei Church
There are about twenty religious monuments of different eras in the city. Gloria Dei Church and Old Pine Street Presbyterian Church are considered to be the most scenic. To make the cultural program diverse devote some time to local museums. One of the most visited venues is the Philadelphia Museum of Art. The museum houses one of the world's largest collections of paintings by Van Gogh. (Read More)

▪ Philadelphia Museum of Art
The Philadelphia Museum of Art is the cultural heart of a great city—the place for creative play, with a surprise around every corner.
Official website
(Read more)

▪ Shofuso Japanese House and Garden
A interesting attraction is the Shofuso Japanese House and Garden. Shofuso was built in 1953 as a gift from Japan to American citizens, to symbolize post-war peace and friendship between the two countries. The building was constructed using traditional Japanese techniques and materials imported from Japan. (Read more)

▪ The Philadelphia Zoo

The Philadelphia Zoo offers a first-in-the-wordl animal travel and exploration system called Zoo360. It gives the most majestic creatures like monkeys, lemurus, lions, jaguars, tigers and many others. (Read more)

▪ Please Touch Museum

Create exclusively for kids (and also adults), the Musem gives its young free reign. With eight interactive exhibitions, a 25,00-toy collection, art programs and music and dance performance, the museum can keep the kids busy all day long. (Read more)

▪ Cuisine

The cuisine was shaped largely by the city's mixture of ethnicities, available foodstuffs and history, then certain foods have become iconic to the city.
Invented in Philadelphia in the 1930s, the cheesesteak is the most well known icon of the city, and soft pretzels have become a part of Philadelphia culture.

▪ Cheesesteak
A cheesesteak, also known as a Philadelphia cheesesteak, Philly cheesesteak, cheesesteak sandwich, cheese steak, or steak and cheese, is a sandwich made from thinly sliced pieces of beefsteak and melted cheese in a long hoagie roll. A popular regional fast food, it has its roots in Philadelphia. (Read more)

South Philly is rightly known for its Italian bakeries, spilling over with sweets like torrone, lobster tails, and (when the season is right) zeppoli. So while, sure, you could get a good cannoli in a number of other cities, the one at nearly-century-old Termini Bros. is both definitive and integral to the Philly experience.

▪ Caramel Budino

Famous in Philadelphia, Budino is a simple and delicate pudding layered with salted caramel sauce, cookie, crumbs and whipped cream. (Check out the recipe)

▪ Water Ice

Water Ice is a flavored ice with soft texture, simillar to a snow cone, but the ice is much finer and the flavor is mixed throughout. It has a smoother consistency. Good for hot days. (Read more)

▪ Crab Fries

These fries potatoes are sprinkled with a seasoning mixed with Old Bay (typically used to spice crabs) and have a special cheese dip on the side. (Check out the recipe)

▪ Music

Academy of Music - Read more

The city of Philadelphia, is home to a vibrant and well-documented musical heritage, stretching back to colonial times. Innovations in classical music, opera, R&B, jazz and soul have earned the music of Philadelphia national and international renown. Philadelphia's musical institutions have long played an important role in the music of Pennsylvania, as well as a nationwide impact, especially in the early development of hip hop music.
Philadelphia's diverse population has also given it a reputation for styles ranging from dancehall to Irish traditional music, as well as a thriving classical and folk music scene.

▪ Economy

Philadelphia is the center of economic activity in Pennsylvania. According to the Bureau of Economic Analysis, the Philadelphia area had a total gross metropolitan product of $347 billion in 2010, the seventh-largest metropolitan economy in the United States.

With a gross domestic product of $388 billion, Philadelphia ranks ninth among world cities and fourth in the nation. The city is also the nation's fourth-largest consumer media market, as ranked by the Nielsen Media Research.

The city is home to the Philadelphia Stock Exchange and several Fortune 500 companies.

Philadelphia has shifted to an information technology and service-based economy. Financial activities account for the largest sector of the metro economy, and it is one of the largest health education and research centers in the United States. Philadelphia's history attracts many tourists, with the Liberty Bell receiving over 2 million visitors in 2010.

▪ Cost of Living

Those considering a move to this area will be interested to know that the Cost of Living in Philadelphia is about 25 percent greater than the national average cost of living.

Philadelphia is certainly a city for working people, and is a great place to start a career. Median Salaries in Philadelphia are competitive, which could make up for the higher cost of living in this city. Some of the highest paid positions on the Philadelphia salary chart include lawyers, software engineers and IT project managers. Overall, Starting Salaries in Philadelphia are close to National Averages. But after several years of experience, Philly's median salary range tends to be higher than the national income based on comparable levels of experience.

▪ Climate

Philadelphia falls in the northern periphery of the humid subtropical climate zone (Köppen Cfa). Summers are typically hot and muggy, fall and spring are generally mild, and winter is cold. Snowfall is highly variable, with some winters bringing only light snow and others bringing several major snowstorms, with the normal seasonal snowfall standing at 22.4 in (57 cm); snow in November or April is rare, and a sustained snow cover is rare.