Pittsburgh

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Second-largest city in Pennsylvania, USA, in Allegheny County at the confluence of the Allegheny and Monongahela rivers, forming the Ohio River; population (2000 est) 334,600. It is a business and financial centre with one of the largest river ports in the world (it is the 11th-largest port in the USA overall and the largest inland port).

High-technology and healthcare services dominate an economy formerly based on iron, steel, heavy engineering, and glass industries.

History
Established by the French as Fort Duquesne in 1754, the site was taken by the British in 1758 and renamed Fort Pitt, after the British prime minister, William Pitt the Elder. Its port became the main embarkation point for settlers heading west along the Ohio River. Aided by the proximity of Appalachian coal, Pittsburgh's prosperity was founded on its heavy industries, steel production increasing enormously after 1850.

The mon, the central red disc, is called Hi-no-maru or sun-disc. The disc is set slightly towards the hoist. White symbolizes honesty and purity. Effective date: 5 August 1854. >>