The capital of Pennsylvania is Harrisburg. Harrisburg became the capital of Pennsylvania in 1812, replacing Lancaster, which had been the capital from 1799-1812. The location of Harrisburg in the central part of the state and its proximity to the Susquehanna River were key factors in its selection as the state capital. Today, Harrisburg is the hub of an urbanized area that includes the Pennsylvania State Capitol Complex, which is the central core business and financial center for the Harrisburg–Carlisle metropolitan statistical area and serves as the seat of government for Dauphin County and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. The Pennsylvania State Capitol, which is located in downtown Harrisburg, is a National Historic Landmark and a "palace of art" because of its many sculptures, murals, and stained-glass windows, most of which are Pennsylvania-themed or Pennsylvanian-made.