Area Code 215

Where Is Area Code 215?

Area code 215 is the area code for southeastern Pennsylvania including Philadelphia and the surrounding suburbs to the north and east of Philadelphia. Area code 215 is located in the Eastern Time Zone and covers 4 counties of Pennsylvania. When area code 215 was put into service on January 1, 1947, it was one of the 86 original area codes created by AT&T. On January 8, 1994, area code 215 was split to form area code 610. On July 1, 1997, area code 215 was overlaid with area code 267. Area code 215 was given an additional overlay, area code 445, which will be put into effect on March 3, 2018.

Philadelphia is the most populous city in Pennsylvania and the sixth most populous city in the United States. Nicknamed “The City of Brotherly Love,” Philadelphia is the economic and cultural anchor of the Delaware Valley. Philadelphia has a humid subtropical climate, characterized by hot, muggy summers and cold winters. Going back in history, the area was originally occupied by the Lenape Indians. Europeans came to the Delaware Valley in the early 17th century but Philadelphia was not founded until 1682; Charles II of England granted William Penn a charter for the land but Penn chose to buy the land from the Lenape Indians to be on good terms with them. Penn named the city Philadelphia, which means brotherly love in Greek. Philadelphia was a place where anyone could worship freely, which in turn led to better relations with the Lenape Indians and fostered the city’s rapid growth into America's most important city. Penn had plans to make Philadelphia more like an English rural town instead of a city but the inhabitants did not follow his plans. Penn finally left Philadelphia in 1701 but not before issuing the Charter of 1701 establishing it as a city. Philadelphia became an important trading center, especially with the help of Benjamin Franklin. Philadelphia was home to a number of important philosophical societies and played an instrumental role in the American Revolution. Near the end of the 19th century, many European immigrants settled in Philadelphia, which helped the city become a major industrial center and railroad hub.

Philadelphia has the second largest Italian population and the third largest African American population in the United States. Philadelphia’s architecture is a mix of historic and modern styles such as Georgian architecture, Federal architecture, and Greek Revival architecture. When it comes to the economy, Philadelphia is the center of economic activity in Pennsylvania. With seven Fortune 1000 companies headquartered in the city, other economic sectors include information technology, manufacturing, food processing, health care, tourism, and financial services. Philadelphia is home to the Philadelphia International Airport, the largest airport in Pennsylvania and a major international hub for American Airlines. When Philadelphia decriminalized small amounts of marijuana in 2014, it became the largest city in the United States to decriminalize marijuana. In 2017, Philadelphia ranked as the fifth most walkable major city in the United States.

Part of Philadelphia’s culture is its dialect; the Philadelphia accent is considered by some to be the most distinctive accent in North America. When it comes to art, Philadelphia has more public art and murals than any other U.S. city. The Philadelphia Sketch Club was founded in 1860 and is said to be America’s oldest artists’ club. When it comes to cuisine, Philadelphia is known for its cheesesteak, Irish potato candy, water ice, and scrapple. The four major professional sports teams in Philadelphia are the Philadelphia Eagles (NFL), the Philadelphia Flyers (NHL), the Philadelphia Phillies (MLB), and the Philadelphia 76ers (NBA). Home to universities such as University of Pennsylvania, Temple University, and Drexel University, Philadelphia has evolved into an educational and economic hub. Like all major cities, Philadelphia has numerous places to visit including the Philadelphia Museum of Art, the Reading Terminal Market, the Philadelphia Zoo, the Independence National Historical Park, the Citizens Bank Park, and the National Museum of American Jewish History.

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