Berks (BUHRKS), county (865 sq mi/2,240 sq km; 1990 pop. 336,523), SE central Pa.; Reading; 40°25'N 75°55'W. Rolling agr. and industrial area with Blue Mt. ridge on NW boundary. Drained by Schuylkill R. and Maiden and Tulpehocken creeks; bounded NW by Blue Mt. Mfg. at Reading, Boyertown, Sinking Spring, Shoemakersville, Hamburg, and Kutztown. Agr. (corn, wheat, oats, mushrooms, hay, alfalfa, soybeans, potatoes, plums, apples; chickens, sheep, hogs, cattle; dairying). Co. urbanized in S center around Reading and in SE center. In Pa. Du. region. Pa. Du. Folk Culture Center in N and Lenhartsville. First settled by Swedes. Daniel Boone b. near Reading. RR shops. L. Ontelaunee reservoir in N center; Blue Marsh L. State Recreational Area in W center; Onyx and Crystal caves in N; parts of French Creek State park, Hopewell Furnace Natl. Historical Site in S; part of Weisser State Forest in NW; Appalachian Trail (natl. scenic) closely follows NW boundary. Formed 1752.
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Reading; 40°25'N 75°55'W. Rolling agr. and industrial area with Blue Mt. ridge on NW boundary. Drained by Schuylkill R. and Maiden and Tulpehocken creeks; bounded NW by Blue Mt. Mfg. at Reading, Boyertown, Sinking Spring, Shoemakersville, Hamburg, and Kutztown. Agr. (corn, wheat, oats, mushrooms, hay, alfalfa, soybeans, potatoes, plums, apples; chickens, sheep, hogs, cattle; dairying). Co. urbanized in S center around Reading and in SE center. In Pa. Du. region. Pa. Du. Folk Culture Center in N and Lenhartsville. First settled by Swedes. Daniel Boone b. near Reading. RR shops. L. Ontelaunee reservoir in N center; Blue Marsh L. State Recreational Area in W center; Onyx and Crystal caves in N; parts of French Creek State park, Hopewell Furnace Natl. Historical Site in S; part of Weisser State Forest in NW; Appalachian Trail (natl. scenic) closely follows NW boundary. Formed 1752.
