The southeast corner of Pennsylvania is known for having a large population of Amish. The Amish faith originated in Switzerland in 1693, and a large number of them migrated to the United States in the 1700s in response to William Penn's offer of religious freedom in the colony of Pennsylvania. Their faith dictates that they keep themselves separate from nonbelievers, and they are predominantly farmers because a rural lifestyle allows them to maintain this separation. They speak an old form of Low German at home, and use English when speaking with outsiders. Intermarriage with outsiders is forbidden, and violators are shunned by other members of the faith. Most Amish children attend school through the eighth grade, at which time they stop and begin working on their family farm. The Amish rarely use electricity, automobiles, or television, because these are considered to be distractions that will keep them from obeying the tenets of their faith. The Amish make their own clothes, and don't adhere to modern fashion trends. They depend on horses and buggies for transportation, and rarely accept help from outsiders.
