Northeastern Pennsylvania (NEPA) is a geographic region of the
U.S. state of
Pennsylvania that includes the
Pocono Mountains, the
Endless Mountains, and the
industrial cities of
Scranton,
Wilkes-Barre,
Pittston,
Hazleton,
Nanticoke, and
Carbondale. A significant portion of this region constitutes a part of the
New York City metropolitan area. Unlike some other parts of the
Rust Belt, some of these communities are experiencing a modest
population increase. Some parts of the region, specifically
Monroe and
Pike counties, rank among the fastest growing areas of the state.