Cities In New York - Quick Facts, History & Geography
New York Quick Facts
New York became the 11th state to join the United States on July 26, 1788. New York is the 27th largest state by land area with 54,555 square miles and is 13.62% water. There are a total of 994 towns and cities in New York. New York is the 4th largest state by population with almost 20 million residents. New York is known for its cultural diversity, with a vibrant mix of ethnicities and communities from around the world, especially in New York City which is one of the most diverse cities in the world. More than 800 languages are spoken in New York, making it the most linguistically diverse city in the world. New York is home to several iconic landmarks, including the Statue of Liberty, Times Square, Central Park, the Empire State Building and Niagara Falls. New York is renowned for its world-class educational institutions, such as Columbia University, Cornell University and New York University. It is also a cultural hub with renowned museums, theaters and art galleries. The capital city of New York is Albany and the largest city in New York is New York City with a population of 8,379,552 people. The state nickname of New York is "The Empire State", as George Washington called it "the seat of the empire." The Statue of Liberty was gifted to New York by France back in 1886 and was shipped in 250 pieces and took 4 months to assemble. The Federal Reserve Bank in New York City is said to be home to more than $100 billion in gold and is located 80 feet below street level. The New York Public Library is the 3rd largest library in the world and contains more than 50 million books. Famous people who were born in New York include Jerry Seinfeld, Robert DeNiro, Jennifer Lopez, Eddie Murphy, Adam Sandler, Al Pacino, Tom Cruise, Denzel Washington, Lady Gaga and countless others.
The History of New York State
Prior to European arrival, New York State was home to various Native American tribes, including the Mohican, Lenape and Iroquois Confederacy. The area was initially explored by Henry Hudson in 1609, leading to Dutch colonization and the establishment of New Amsterdam on Manhattan Island in 1624. In 1664, the English captured New Amsterdam, renaming it New York in honor of the Duke of York. As tensions escalated between the American colonies and British rule, New York became a focal point of the struggle for independence. The Battle of Long Island (1776) was a pivotal moment, with British forces capturing New York City and establishing it as a base of operations. After the American Revolution, New York played a critical role in shaping the new nation. In 1789, the city became the first capital of the United States, with George Washington inaugurated as the country's first president there. The early 19th century saw the completion of the Erie Canal, connecting the Great Lakes to the Hudson River and opening vital trade routes. The mid-19th century brought a massive influx of immigrants, particularly to New York City. During the Civil War, New York provided troops, resources, and financial support to the Union cause. The late 19th and early 20th centuries saw continued urbanization and cultural growth. New York City emerged as a global center for finance, commerce, and culture, with iconic landmarks such as the Statue of Liberty (a gift from France) becoming symbols of freedom and democracy. The tragic events of September 11, 2001, when terrorists attacked the World Trade Center in New York City, had a profound impact on the city and the nation.
The Geography of New York State
New York is bordered by New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Vermont and Rhode Island and is an incredibly diverse state with everything from urban city centers to sprawling forests. The state's largest city, New York City, is a global metropolis renowned for its iconic skyline, including landmarks like the Empire State Building, Times Square and Central Park. The city is situated on the southeastern tip of New York State and is divided into five boroughs: Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx, and Staten Island. Flowing southward through eastern New York, the Hudson River is a major waterway that has played a crucial role in the state's history and development. Located in the northern part of the state, the Adirondack Mountains are a vast wilderness area known for their stunning landscapes, including lakes, forests, and peaks. South of the Adirondacks, the Catskill Mountains offer another picturesque natural region with multiple hiking trails for outdoor enthusiasts. A group of long, narrow lakes located in central New York, the Finger Lakes are known for their unique shape and provide a setting for water-based activities, wine production, and charming small towns. New York borders two of the Great Lakes—Lake Erie to the west and Lake Ontario to the north. Situated on the border with Canada, Niagara Falls is one of the most famous natural attractions in the world. Extending eastward from New York City, Long Island offers a mix of suburban communities, beaches, and cultural attractions.
New York Relocation Information
You can't talk about New York State without mentioning New York, New York - the city that never sleeps! It's no secret that New York City has a dazzling array of restaurants, hotels, and events and attractions that draw tourists from across the globe. It is also a truly amazing place to live. Millions of Americans work and live in the city since it is a huge center of banking and finance within the United States. In contrast, the rest of the state is very rural, covered by farms and lovely countryside. If you looked at a map of New York cities you'd see that the largest state park in America, Adirondack Park, is located in New York. This lovely mountainous park is larger than Yellowstone, Yosemite, Grand Canyon, Glacier and Olympic National Parks combined.
New York State is the third most populous state in the nation after California and Texas. And even though there is plenty of open land in the state, the majority of the population is concentrated in New York cities. Only 8% of New York's residents do not live in cities. New York City offers countless job opportunities, since some of the largest corporations in the world are based there. The rest of the state works in manufacturing and in agriculture. New York state grows more produce than 45 of the other 50 states in America. An abundance of dairy products, plums, grapes, apples, cherries, cabbage, potatoes and onions come out of New York every year. As far as weather goes, winters are long and cold in New York, although they are slightly warmer in New York City. Summers can be hot and humid.
Surprisingly, cities in New York actually has some of the lowest crime rates in all of America. The overall crime rate is on average about 50% less than the US national rate. Even larger cities like New York City have crime rates below the national average.
