Bethlehem (BETH-luh-hem), city (1990 pop. 71,428), Northampton and Lehigh cos., E Pa., 48 mi/77 km NNW of Philadelphia, 5 mi/8 km ENE of Allentown, its twin city, on the Lehigh R.; 40°37'N 75°22'W. The steel industry, which began in 1873 and was once dominated by the giant Bethlehem Steel Corp., has been replaced by a mixture of more diversified production. Last blast furnace closed in 1995. Mfg. (fabricated metal prods., machinery, textiles, chemicals, medical supplies and equip.; printing and publsihing, food processing). Settled 1740–1741 by Moravians. During the Revolutionary War a community bldg. was used as a hosp. for Continental soldiers. Tourist center; points of interest include the Central Moravian Church (c.1803), the Schnitz House (1749), and other early Moravian bldgs.; historic 18th-cent. industrial area. America’s oldest Bach Choir performs 3 times annually. Seat of Lehigh Univ., Moravian Col., and Northampton Co. Area Community Col. Allentown State Farm to NW; Lost River Caverns to S at Hellertown; Public Rose Garden; Kemerer Mus. of Decorative Arts; Moravian Mus.; Allentown State Hosp. on W boundary; Lehigh Valley Internatl. Airport to NW. Inc. 1845 as a borough, as a city 1917.
