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.