Although popular culture and tourism almost entirely focus on New York City, one of the most recognizable cities in the world, New York State has much more to offer residents and visitors alike.
      New York is generally divided into two regions, upstate and downstate, due to the dominance of New York City along with its suburbs, including Long Island, in the lower part of the state. Although the greatest part of New York’s population is concentrated in this area, the state is mostly comprised of more rural areas, including farms, rivers, lakes, mountains and forests. It is home to Adirondack State Park, which is larger than any U.S. national park outside of Alaska, as well as the famous Niagara Falls, near the Canadian border and the Great Lakes. In fact, only 30 percent of the state is developed. The rest is covered in farms and forests.
      New York is the third-most populated state, after California and Texas. New York’s residents are fairly diverse, with Caucasians composing the largest percentage at 61 percent, but African Americans, Hispanics and Asians representing 17.5 percent, 16 percent and 6.5 percent of the population, respectively. New York is home to the nation’s largest Dominican population, concentrated in Upper Manhattan, as well as the largest Puerto Rican population, concentrated in the Bronx.

Did You Know...

State Nickname: The Empire State State Capital: Albany State Flower: Rose State Bird: Bluebird

      New York City is the heart of the state’s economy as the leading center for finance, banking and communication in the U.S. and the home of the New York Stock Exchange. Many of the world’s largest and most well-known corporations have headquarters in New York City. However, New York also has a large manufacturing component to its economy, including printing and garment production, as well as the industries of mining and fishing. Agricultural output ranks within the top five states for production of dairy, cherries, maple syrup,

onions, cabbage and apples, among many others.
      Like many of its Eastern neighbors, New York boasts a highly well-developed transportation system throughout the state. In New York City, a very small portion of residents use their cars to get from place to place, relying instead on extensive mass transit options, including taxis, subways, buses and ferries. New York Harbor has traditionally been one of the most important ports in the U.S. and has played a critical role in the country’s imports and exports and immigration. In addition to New York City, many other New York cities have urban and regional public transportation, including Buffalo, Syracuse and Rochester. New York is also served by three major airports, Newark Liberty International Airport in New Jersey, JFK International Airport and La Guardia Airport.
      New York residents have a splendid selection of many highly respected colleges and universities. Among them, New York University, Sarah Lawrence College, Vassar College, Syracuse University and Cornell, the state’s Ivy League university. There are also the many first-class institutions located in nearby cities and states that won’t put students too far from home.

      From world-class arts and theatre to breathtaking wilderness, New York has something for every taste, age and season. Arts have always thrived here, from the glamour of Broadway to many quiet community theatres, art galleries and musical organizations. There are countless museums to explore, including the famed Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) in New York City or the Cartoon Museum in Ticonderoga. As a critical part of the history of the United States, New York has over 80,000 nationally registered historical places and 35 state-owned historical sites. For the outdoor adventurer, there are hundreds of miles of ocean and coastal beaches, 46 stunning mountain peaks, over 550 golf courses, 164 state parks and a kaleidoscope of streams, lakes, ponds, wildlife preserves and parks. Many professional teams make their home here, including football, basketball, hockey and baseball.
      Quality of life in New York State is among the best in the nation due to the state’s incredible diversity, from the urban excitement of New York City to the tranquility of its forests and farmland. The state also offers lower taxes in recent years, as well as reduced crime levels. New York is also a leader in high-quality health care, providing its residents with expanded coverage and access to superior, affordable services. Whether you choose to visit or live in New York City or one of the upstate rural communities, you won’t help but be overcome with the vibrant, varied form that life takes in this state.