New York - The Empire State

About New York

New York is located in the northeastern United States and is the nation's fourth-most populous state with nearly 20 million residents. The state is anchored by New York City, the most populous city in the United States with over 8.3 million people and a metropolitan area exceeding 20 million. The state capital is Albany, situated in the Hudson Valley. New York has been called "The Empire State" since the 1800s, reflecting its economic and cultural dominance.

New York's economy is the third-largest in the United States with a GDP of approximately $2 trillion. New York City is the world's premier financial center, home to Wall Street, the New York Stock Exchange, and NASDAQ. The state is also a global leader in media, entertainment, fashion, technology, healthcare, and education. Major Fortune 500 companies headquartered in New York include JPMorgan Chase, Verizon, Pfizer, and Citigroup.

The state features remarkably diverse geography, from the Atlantic coastline and beaches of Long Island, to the Adirondack and Catskill mountains, to the Great Lakes shoreline and Niagara Falls in the west, to the fertile farmlands of the Hudson and Mohawk valleys. New York shares borders with six US states and two Canadian provinces, making it a crucial international gateway.

Major Cities

New York is home to the nation's largest city and numerous other significant urban centers.

New York City - The Heart of the State

New York City is not just the largest city in New York State, but the most populous city in the entire United States and one of the world's most important cities. The five boroughs are:

• Manhattan: Financial district (Wall Street), Midtown, Times Square, Central Park, world-class museums, skyscrapers
• Brooklyn: Most populous borough (2.7M), cultural diversity, Brooklyn Bridge, Coney Island, vibrant neighborhoods
• Queens: Most diverse county in America, two major airports (JFK, LaGuardia), Flushing Meadows, ethnic cuisine
• The Bronx: Yankee Stadium, Bronx Zoo, botanical garden, birthplace of hip-hop
• Staten Island: Staten Island Ferry, suburban feel, beaches, parks

NYC is home to the United Nations headquarters, serves as the world's financial capital through Wall Street, dominates global media and entertainment, and attracts over 60 million tourists annually.

Economy & Industry

New York has an extraordinarily diversified economy:

History & Culture

New York has played a pivotal role in American history. Originally inhabited by Native American tribes including the Iroquois Confederacy, the region was colonized by the Dutch as New Amsterdam in 1624. The British took control in 1664, renaming it New York. The state was crucial during the American Revolution, with major battles fought on New York soil.

New York City served as the first capital of the United States from 1785-1790, where George Washington was inaugurated. The Erie Canal, completed in 1825, transformed New York into an economic powerhouse by connecting the Great Lakes to the Atlantic Ocean. The mid-1800s through early 1900s saw massive immigration through Ellis Island, with millions entering America through New York Harbor.

The 20th century saw New York cement its position as a global center of finance, culture, and commerce. The United Nations established its headquarters in NYC in 1952. Today, New York is one of the world's most culturally diverse places, with over 800 languages spoken and residents from every nation on Earth.

Interesting Facts

Neighboring States & Borders

New York borders six US states and shares international borders with two Canadian provinces.

Also borders: Ontario, Canada (North & West) | Quebec, Canada (North) | Atlantic Ocean (Southeast)