History of Erie, Pennsylvania
Erie (IPA chart for English|pronounced {{IPA|ˈi.ɹi}}) is a major industrial city on the shore of Lake Erie in the northwestern corner of Pennsylvania. Named for the lake and the Erie tribe|Native American tribe that resided along its southern shore, Erie is the state's fourth-largest city with a total population of 103,717, according to the United States Census 2000|2000 US Census.{{cite web|last=Erie County Government|url=http://www.eriecountygov.org/default.aspx?id=rec&HeadlineID=394298488593750&Action=ShowArticle|title=Fact Sheet|accessdate=2007-05-21}} The city is the seat of government for Erie County, Pennsylvania|Erie County.
Erie is centrally located for tourists from nearby Cleveland, Ohio|Cleveland, Ohio; Buffalo, New York|Buffalo, New York; and Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania|Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Annually over four million people go to swim, hike, and fish at Presque Isle State Park,{{cite web|last=Pennsylvania DCNR|url=http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/STATEPARKS/scavenger/scav8presque.aspx|title=Presque Isle Vistiors|accessdate=2007-05-21}} while a Presque Isle Downs|new casino named for the state park is growing in popularity. Two area amusement parks—Waldameer Park and Splash Lagoon—draw large crowds. Canadian shoppers regularly visit upper Peach Street stores.
Erie is known as the Flagship City because of the presence of Oliver Hazard Perry's flagship U.S. Brig Niagara (replica)|Niagara.{{cite web|last=The City of Erie|url=http://www.erie.pa.us/AboutErie/Facts/tabid/80/Default.aspx|title= Nicknames|accessdate=2007-05-21}} Erie has also been called the Gem City because of the sparkling lake.{{citeweb|last=Ricks List of Lists|url=http://www.got.net/~landauer/lists/CityOf.html|title=City Nicknames|accessdate=2007-06-22}}
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