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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. The Poconos are a popular recreational destination for local and regional visitors. The region lacks any major population center, although small towns are scattered through the area.
Geography
The Poconos encompass Carbon, Monroe, Pike, and Wayne Counties of Pennsylvania, as well as portions of neighboring counties such as Susquehanna, Lackawanna and Northampton. They are mountainous, geologically a southwestern extension of the Catskills, although not as high: their highest summit, Elk Hills North Knob, reaches 2,693 feet (821 m), while its lowest elevation is 350 feet (107 m) in Pike County.
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 is also home to some 150 lakes.
Recreation
The Poconos is a well known recreation destination for visitors around the northeast. Primary attractions center around the region's diverse natural offerings. The Poconos encompass 7 state parks 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. Other outdoor activities, particularly golf, are also popular options. There is also a major automobile racetrack located in the Poconos.
The region is also a popular winter destination, with ski resorts operating offering some of the closest and most accessible skiing to the major population centers of the East Coast.
Many resorts cater to summer and winter visitors.
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