The Poconos
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The Poconos, or the Pocono Mountains region, is a mountainous region of about 2,400 square miles (6,200 km²) located in northeastern Pennsylvania, approximately 30 miles north of Allentown, in the United States.
The Poconos are a popular recreational destination for local and regional visitors. The region has a population of about 300,000, which is growing fast. The region lacks any major population center, although small municipalities are scattered through the area. The Poconos now serves as a commuter community for the Philadelphia, New York City and northern New Jersey metropolitan areas.
Geography
The Poconos encompass Carbon, Monroe, Pike, and Wayne Counties of Pennsylvania [link], as well as portions of neighboring counties such as Susquehanna, Luzerne, and Lackawanna. They are mountainous, geologically a southwestern extension of the Catskills, although not as high: their highest summit, Elk Hill’s North Knob, reaches 2,693 feet (821 m), while its lowest elevation is 350 feet (107 m) in Pike County.Technically speaking, although they seem to be an extension of the Appalachian Mountains into Upstate New York, they are not geologically related. The Poconos are not a mountain chain, they are rather a mature dissected plateau, an uplifted region that was subsequently eroded into sharp relief. They are an eastward continuation of the Allegheny Plateau, one which continues into the Catskills in New York State.
The Delaware River flows through the Poconos and gives the region its name, from a Native American term roughly translating to "stream between two mountains." The Lehigh and Lackawaxen Rivers also flow through the region, totalling about 170 miles (270 km) of waterways. The Poconos are also home to some 150 lakes and many waterfalls, especially the (commercialized) Dingmans Falls area near the Delaware Water Gap and (free-admission) Ricketts Glen State Park in northwestern Luzerne County.
Recreation
The Poconos are a well known outdoor recreation destination for visitors around the northeast, especially from New York City and Philadelphia. Primary attractions are centered on the region's diverse natural offerings. The Poconos encompass the Delaware State Forest [link], including six designated natural areas [link], seven state parks [link], seventeen state game lands [link], and one national park: The Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area. There are extensive opportunities for watersports, with many of the lakes and rivers stocked for fishing. Hunters enjoy the pursuit of white-tailed deer, wild turkeys, ruffed grouse, and other game.The region is also a popular winter destination. State parks offer snowmobile trails, snowshoeing, and eagle watching [link]. Eight ski resorts [link] offer some of the closest and most accessible skiing to the major population centers of the East Coast: Camelback Ski Area, the largest, Jack Frost Mountain and Big Boulder [link], Shawnee Mountain [link], Ski Big Bear [link], Tanglwood [link], Blue Mountain [link], and Alpine Mountain [link]. Many resorts cater to both winter and summer visitors.
Other outdoor activities, particularly golf, are also popular options. There is also a major automobile racetrack, the Pocono Raceway, located in the Poconos.
A highly controversial proposal to license a gambling casino with slot machines in Monroe County is currently under consideration. The sites proposed in Monroe County are at Pocono Manor Resort [link] in Tobyhanna Township, and Mount Airy Lodge in Paradise Township.
Newspapers
The Poconos has a few newspapers covering local events and happenings. These include the daily paper, The Pocono Record, the weekly paper Pocono Xpress and a shopper and Blue Mountain Moments, which is published monthly.
There is also a hyperlocal website[Pocono Herald].
External links
- [Pocono Mountains Vacation Bureau]
- [Poconos Best Hotel Reservation Service]
- [Pocono Resorts and Vacation Guide]
- [Poconos and NEPA Information/Communication Community Portal]
- [Blue Mountain Moments]
- [Poconos Hotels and Resort Info Network]
- [Pocono skiing]
- [Pocono Herald]
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