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New York

New York is a state U.S. state

A state of the United States is any one of the fifty subnational entities referred to as a state [i] ... 

 in the northeastern Northeastern United States

[i] defined by the [[U.S. Census Bureau]... 

 United States United States

The United States of America, also known as the United States, the U.S., the U.S.A., a... 

. It is sometimes called New York State when there is need to distinguish it from New York City New York City

[i] in the [[United States]... 

. Because of the preponderance of the population concentrated in the southern portion around New York City, the state is often regionalized into Upstate Upstate New York

arles Evans Hughes]] [i] *Franklin Roosevelt [i] ... 

and Downstate.

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Timeline

1673   The Dutch retake New York

1674   England England

England is the largest and most populous constituent country [i] of the United Kingdom [i]. ... 

 and the Netherlands Netherlands

The Netherlands is the Europe [i]an part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands [i] , which is formed ... 

 sign the Treaty of Westminster. A provision of the agreement transfers the Dutch colony of New Amsterdam New Amsterdam

New Amsterdam was the name of the 17th century [i] town which grew outside of Fort Amsterdam on Manhatt ... 

 to England, which renamed it New York

1683   The British Kingdom of Great Britain

Kingdom of Great Britain ... 

 crown colony of New York is subdivided into 12 counties County

A county is generally a sub-unit of regional self-government within a sovereign jurisdiction.... 

1689   Leisler's Rebellion - Calvinist Calvinism

Calvinism is a system of Christian theology [i] and an approach to Christian life and thought within the ... 

 Jacob Leisler deposes lieutenant governor Francis Nicholson Francis Nicholson

Francis Nicholson was a British military officer and was colonial governor or acting governor of New York [i] ... 

 and assumes control of New York colony.

1691   Leisler's Rebellion - New governor arrives in New York - Jacob Leisler surrenders after standoff of several hours

1698   Whigs sponsor Captain Kidd William Kidd

William "Captain" Kidd is often remembered in infamy [i] as a cruel [i], bloody pirate [i]. ... 

 of New York as a privateer against French shipping

1735   Freedom of the press Freedom of the press

Freedom of the press is the guarantee by a government [i] of free public press [i] for its citizen [i]... 

: New York Weekly Journal writer John Peter Zenger is acquitted of seditious libel against the royal governor of New York, on the basis that what he published was true.

1777   Vermont Vermont

Vermont is a state [i] in the New England [i] region of the United States [i], located in th ... 

 declares its independence from New York becoming an independent country, a status it retained until it joined the United States United States

The United States of America, also known as the United States, the U.S., the U.S.A., a... 

 as the 14th state in 1791.

1783   Loyalists Loyalist (American Revolution)

Loyalists were British North America [i]n colonists who remained loyal subjects of the British crown dur ... 

 from New York settle Great Abaco Abaco

The Abaco islands lie in the northern Bahamas [i] and comprise the main islands of Great Abaco and ... 

 in the Bahamas The Bahamas

The Commonwealth of the Bahamas is an independent English [i]-speaking nation in the West Indies [i] ... 

..

1787   the first of the Federalist Papers Federalist Papers

The Federalist Papers are a series of 85 articles [i] arguing for the ratification [i] ... 

, a series of essays calling for ratification of the U.S. Constitution United States Constitution

The United States Constitution is the supreme law [i] of the United States of America [i]. ... 

, was published in a New York paper

   More Events >>



Encyclopedia

The Empire State
State animalBeaver Beaver

Beavers are semi-aquatic rodent [i]s native to North America [i] and Europe [i]. ... 


State birdEastern Bluebird Eastern Bluebird

... 


State freshwater fishBrook Trout Brook trout

The brook trout is a species [i] of fish [i] in the salmon [i] family [i] of order [i] ... 

State saltwater fishStriped Bass Striped bass

Commonly known as a striper, rockfish or just "rock", the striped bass is a member of the temperate bass... 

State insect List of U.S. state insects

This is a list of U.S. state insects:
... 

Ladybug Coccinellidae

Coccinellidae is a family of beetle [i]s, known variously as ladybirds , ladybugs or lad ... 

State flower List of U.S. state flowers

This is a list of U.S. state flowers:
... 

Rose Rose

A rose is a flowering shrub [i] of the genus [i] Rosa, and the flower [i] of this shrub. ... 

State motto""
State song"I Love New York I Love New York

The I ? NY logo [i] is a rebus [i] created by Milton Glaser [i] consisting of the capital letter I [i] ... 

"
State tree List of U.S. state trees

This List of U.S. state trees includes official trees of the following states [i] and U.S. possessions [i]... 

Sugar Maple Sugar Maple

The Sugar Maple Acer saccharum is a prominent tree [i] in the hardwood forests of eastern North America [i] ... 


State fossilSea Scorpion Eurypterid

The eurypterids were the largest known arthropod [i]s that ever lived. ... 


State gemGarnet Garnet

The garnet group of mineral [i]s show crystal [i]s with a habit of rhombic dodecahedron [i]s and trapezohedron [i] ... 

State beverageMilk Milk

Milk is the nutrient fluid produced by the mammary gland [i]s of female mammal [i]s . ... 

State reptileSnapping Turtle Snapping turtle

Snapping turtles are large, New World [i] freshwater turtle [i]s of the family [i] Chelydridae ... 

State fruitApple Apple

The apple is a tree [i] and its pomaceous [i] fruit [i], of the species Malus domestica in the ... 

State shellBay Scallop
State muffinApple Muffin


New York is a state U.S. state

A state of the United States is any one of the fifty subnational entities referred to as a state [i] ... 

 in the northeastern Northeastern United States

[i] defined by the [[U.S. Census Bureau]... 

 United States United States

The United States of America, also known as the United States, the U.S., the U.S.A., a... 

. It is sometimes called New York State when there is need to distinguish it from New York City New York City

[i] in the [[United States]... 

. Because of the preponderance of the population concentrated in the southern portion around New York City, the state is often regionalized into Upstate Upstate New York

arles Evans Hughes]] [i]
  • Franklin Roosevelt [i]

... 

and Downstate.

Geography

New York's borders touch two Great Lakes Great Lakes

The Great Lakes are a group of five large lake [i]s in North America [i] on or near the Canada [i]-United States [i] ... 

 ; one former Great Lake ; the provinces of Ontario Ontario

Ontario is the most populous and second-largest in area of Canada [i]'s ten provinces [i] ... 

 and Quebec Quebec

Quebec, or Qubec in French [i], In 1898, the Canadian Parliament passed the first ... 

 in Canada Canada

Canada is the world's second-largest [i] country by total area, occupying most ... 

; three New England New England

New England is a region of the United States [i] located in the northeastern corner of the country. ... 

 states ; the Atlantic Ocean Atlantic Ocean

The Atlantic Ocean is the second-largest ocean [i], covering approximately one-fifth of the Earth [i]'s ... 

, and two Mid-Atlantic Mid-Atlantic States

The Mid-Atlantic region of the United States of America [i] traditionally refers to that s ... 

 states . In addition, Rhode Island Rhode Island

The State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations is the smallest state [i] by land area ... 

 shares a water border with New York.

New York is also the site of the only extra-territorial enclave Enclave and exclave

In political geography [i], an enclave is a country or part of a country lying wholly within the boundar ... 

 within the boundaries of the U.S., the United Nations United Nations

name = United Nations
Nations Unies
... 

 compound on Manhattan Manhattan

Manhattan is both the Island of Manhattan and encompasses most of the Borough of Manhattan, one of the five boroughs [i] ... 

's East River.

The southern tip of New York State—New York City Geography and environment of New York City

The geography and environment of New York City [i] is characterized by its coastal position at the meeti ... 

, its suburbs including Long Island Long Island

Jer's Island is an island [i] in New York [i], USA [i].... 

, and the southern portion of the Hudson Valley—can be considered to form the central core of a "megalopolis," a super-city stretching from the northern suburbs of Boston Boston, Massachusetts

Boston is the capital [i] of the Commonwealth [i] of Massachusetts [i] in the United States [i] ... 

 to the southern suburbs of Washington D.C. Washington, D.C.

Washington, D.C. is the capital [i] city [i] of the United States of America [i]. ... 

 and therefore occasionally called "BosWash BosWash

The BosWash or Bosnywash or Boshington megalopolis [i] is the name for a group o ... 

". First described by Jean Gottmann in 1961 as a new phenomenon in the history of world urbanization, the megalopolis is characterized by a coalescence of previous already-large cities of the Eastern Seaboard East Coast of the United States

The "East Coast," "Eastern Seaboard," or "Atlantic Seaboard" are terms referencing the easte... 

: a heavy specialization on tertiary activity related to government, trade, law, education, finance, publishing and control of economic activity; plus a growth pattern not so much of more population and more area as more intensive use of already existing urbanized area and ever more sophisticated links from one specialty to another. Several other groups of megalopolis-type super-cities exist in the world, but that centered around New York City was the first described and still is the best example.

While the state is best known for New York City New York City

[i] in the [[United States]... 

's urban atmosphere, especially Manhattan Manhattan

Manhattan is both the Island of Manhattan and encompasses most of the Borough of Manhattan, one of the five boroughs [i] ... 

's skyscrapers, most of the state is in fact dominated by farms, forests, rivers, mountains, and lakes. New York's Adirondack State Park Adirondack State Park

The Adirondack State Park, also known as the Adirondack Park, is a large state park [i] in northea ... 

 is larger than any U.S. National Park National Park Service

The National Park Service is the United States [i] federal agency that manages all National Parks [i] ... 

 outside of Alaska Alaska

Alaska is a U.S. state [i], located on the northwest tier [i] of North America [i] ... 

. Niagara Falls Niagara Falls

Niagara Falls is a set of massive waterfall [i]s located on the Niagara River [i] in eastern North America [i]... 

, on the Niagara River as it flows from Lake Erie to Lake Ontario, is a popular attraction. The Hudson River Hudson River

The Hudson River, called Muh-he-kun-ne-tuk in Mahican [i], is a river [i] running mainly throu ... 

 begins with Lake Tear of the Clouds Lake Tear of the Clouds

Lake Tear of the Clouds is a small tarn [i], in Essex County, New York [i], on the northwest slope ... 

 and flows south through the eastern part of the state without draining Lakes George or Champlain Lake Champlain

Lake Champlain is a large lake [i] in North America [i], mostly within the borders of the United States [i] ... 

. Lake George empties at its north end into Lake Champlain, whose northern end extends into Canada, where it drains into the Richelieu Richelieu River

The Richelieu River in Quebec [i], Canada [i] flows about 130 km north to drain Lake Champlain [i] into ... 

 and then the St Lawrence Saint Lawrence River

The Saint Lawrence River is a large west-to-east flowing river [i] in the middle latitudes of North America [i] ... 

 Rivers. Four of New York City's five boroughs are on the three islands at the mouth of the Hudson River: Manhattan Island Manhattan

Manhattan is both the Island of Manhattan and encompasses most of the Borough of Manhattan, one of the five boroughs [i] ... 

, Staten Island Staten Island

Staten Island is one of the five boroughs [i] of New York City [i]. ... 

, and Long Island Long Island

Jer's Island is an island [i] in New York [i], USA [i].... 

.

"Upstate" Upstate New York

arles Evans Hughes]] [i]
  • Franklin Roosevelt [i]

... 

 is a common term for New York State counties north of suburban Westchester and Rockland counties. Upstate New York typically includes the Catskill Catskill Mountains

The Catskill Mountains, a natural area in New York State [i] northwest of New York City [i] and ... 

 and Adirondack Adirondack Mountains

The Adirondack mountain range is a group of mountains in the northeastern part of New York [i] that runs ... 

 Mountains, the Shawangunk Ridge Shawangunk Ridge

The Shawangunk Ridge is a ridge of mountains in Ulster County [i], Sullivan County [i] ... 

, the Finger Lakes Finger Lakes

The Finger Lakes are glacially [i] formed lakes in upstate New York [i], mainly linear in shape, ... 

 and the Great Lakes Great Lakes

The Great Lakes are a group of five large lake [i]s in North America [i] on or near the Canada [i]-United States [i] ... 

 in the west; and Lake Champlain Lake Champlain

Lake Champlain is a large lake [i] in North America [i], mostly within the borders of the United States [i] ... 

, Lake George, and Oneida Lake Oneida Lake

*Oneida County [i]
... 

 in the northeast; and rivers such as the Delaware Delaware River

The Delaware River is a river on the Atlantic [i] coast of the United States [i].
... 

, Genesee Genesee River

The Genesee River's name is derived from the Seneca tribe [i] word meaning good valley or pleasant ... 

, Hudson, Mohawk Mohawk River

The Mohawk River is a major waterway in north-central New York [i], United States [i]. ... 

, and Susquehanna Susquehanna River

The Susquehanna River is a river [i] in the northeastern United States [i]. ... 

. The highest elevation in New York is Mount Marcy Mount Marcy

Mount Marcy is at 5,344 ft the highest mountain in the [[Adirondack Mountains|Adirondack Mountain Range]... 

 in the Adirondacks.

History


The area was long inhabited by the Lenape; Lenape in canoes met Giovanni da Verrazzano Giovanni da Verrazano

Giovanni da Verrazano was an Italian [i] explorer [i] of North America [i], in the service of the ... 

, the first Europe Europe

Europe is one of the seven traditional continent [i]s of the Earth [i]. ... 

an explorer to enter New York Harbor New York Harbor

New York Harbor, a geographic term, refers collectively to the rivers, bays, and tidal estuaries near th... 

, in 1524. Giovanni da Verrazzano Giovanni da Verrazano

Giovanni da Verrazano was an Italian [i] explorer [i] of North America [i], in the service of the ... 

 named this place New Angouleme Angoulême

Angoulme is a town and commune [i] in southwestern France [i], prfecture [i] of th ... 

  in the honor of the French France

France, officially the French Republic, is a country [i] whose metropolitan territory [i] ... 

 king Francis I Francis I of France

[i] in [[1515]... 

 .
A French France

France, officially the French Republic, is a country [i] whose metropolitan territory [i] ... 

 explorer and mapper, Samuel de Champlain Samuel de Champlain

Samuel de Champlain was a French [i] geographer [i], draftsman [i], explorer [i] ... 

, described his explorations through New York in 1608. A year later Henry Hudson Henry Hudson

Henry Hudson was an English [i] sea explorer [i] and navigator in the early seventeenth century ... 

, an Englishman English people

group=English
|image=|poptime= 110 - 120 million
... 

 working for the Dutch, claimed the area in the name of the Netherlands Netherlands

The Netherlands is the Europe [i]an part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands [i] , which is formed ... 

. It was to be called New Netherlands New Netherland

New Netherland , 16141674, was the territory on the eastern coast of North America [i] in the 17th century [i] ... 

.

Early settlement

The first European settlers in the area now known as the State of New York were Dutch Netherlands

The Netherlands is the Europe [i]an part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands [i] , which is formed ... 

 settlers in the colony known as New Amsterdam New Amsterdam

New Amsterdam was the name of the 17th century [i] town which grew outside of Fort Amsterdam on Manhatt ... 

, beginning in 1613. These settlers were claiming this land as theirs, marginalizing the aboriginal inhabitants who had been living there since the Pleistocene Pleistocene

The Pleistocene epoch [i] is part of the geologic timescale [i]. ... 

 epoch. The English England

England is the largest and most populous constituent country [i] of the United Kingdom [i]. ... 

 traded the modern-day country of Suriname Suriname

Suriname, officially the Republiek Suriname, is a country in northern South America [i]. ... 

 for New Amsterdam in 1664; they renamed it New York, after the Duke of York Duke of York

The title Duke of York is a title of nobility [i] usually given to the second son of the British monarch [i] ... 

, the future King James II James II of England

James VII of Scotland and James II of England became King of Scots [i], King of England [i], and King of Ireland [i] ... 

. On November 1, 1683, the government was reorganized. The colony, then called the Province of New York, was divided into twelve counties County

A county is generally a sub-unit of regional self-government within a sovereign jurisdiction.... 

, each of which was subdivided into towns. The territory of New York extended much farther than present-day New York State, having no official western boundary other than the Pacific Ocean. Two of New York's eastern coastal counties, Cornwall and Dukes, later became parts of Massachusetts Massachusetts

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts is a state [i] in the New England [i] region of the northeastern [i] ... 

 and Maine Maine

Maine is a U.S. state [i] in the New England [i] region of the northeastern United States [i]. ... 

. Counties were also ceded to Vermont Vermont

Vermont is a state [i] in the New England [i] region of the United States [i], located in th ... 

 before Vermont entered the Union in 1791.

Statehood

New York was one of the original thirteen colonies Thirteen Colonies

The Thirteen Colonies were thirteen British [i] colonies [i] in North America [i], ... 

 that became the United States United States

The United States of America, also known as the United States, the U.S., the U.S.A., a... 

. It was the 11th state to ratify the United States Constitution United States Constitution

The United States Constitution is the supreme law [i] of the United States of America [i]. ... 

, on July 26, 1788.
Origin

The Dutch, who began to establish trading-posts on the Hudson River Hudson River

The Hudson River, called Muh-he-kun-ne-tuk in Mahican [i], is a river [i] running mainly throu ... 

 in 1613, claimed jurisdiction over the territory between the Connecticut Connecticut River

The Connecticut River is the largest river [i] in New England [i], flowing south from the Connecticut Lakes [i] ... 

 and the Delaware River Delaware River

The Delaware River is a river on the Atlantic [i] coast of the United States [i].
... 

s, which they called New Netherlands New Netherland

New Netherland , 16141674, was the territory on the eastern coast of North America [i] in the 17th century [i] ... 

. The government was vested in "The United New Netherland Company New Netherland Company

New Netherland Company was a chartered company [i] of Dutch [i] merchant [i]s.
... 

," chartered in 1614, and then in "The Dutch West India Company," chartered in 1622.

In 1649, a convention of the settlers petitioned the "Lords States-General of the United Netherlands" to grant them "suitable burgher government, such as their High Mightinesses shall consider adapted to this province, and resembling somewhat the government of our Fatherland," with certain permanent privileges and exemptions, that they might pursue "the trade of our country, as well along the coast from Terra Nova to Cape Florida as to the West Indies Caribbean

The Caribbean is a region [i] of the Americas [i] consisting of the Caribbean Sea [i], its island [i]s... 

 and Europe Europe

Europe is one of the seven traditional continent [i]s of the Earth [i]. ... 

, whenever our Lord God shall be pleased to permit."

The directors of the West India Company resented this attempt to shake their rule and wrote their director and council at New Amsterdam: "We have already connived as much as possible at the many impertinences of some restless spirits, in the hope that they might be shamed by our discreetness and benevolence, but, perceiving that all kindnesses do not avail, we must, therefore, have recourse to God to Nature and the Law. We accordingly hereby charge and command your Honors whenever you shall certainly discover any Clandestine Meetings, Conventicles or machinations against our States government or that of our country that you proceed against such malignants in proportion to their crimes."

These grants embraced all the lands between the west bank of the Connecticut River Connecticut River

The Connecticut River is the largest river [i] in New England [i], flowing south from the Connecticut Lakes [i] ... 

 and the east bank of the Delaware Delaware River

The Delaware River is a river on the Atlantic [i] coast of the United States [i].
... 

.

The Duke of York James II of England

James VII of Scotland and James II of England became King of Scots [i], King of England [i], and King of Ireland [i] ... 

 previously purchased in 1663 the grant of Long Island Long Island

Jer's Island is an island [i] in New York [i], USA [i].... 

 and other islands on the New England New England

New England is a region of the United States [i] located in the northeastern corner of the country. ... 

 coast made in 1635 to the Earl of Stirling, and in 1664 he equipped an armed expedition which took possession of New Amsterdam New Amsterdam

New Amsterdam was the name of the 17th century [i] town which grew outside of Fort Amsterdam on Manhatt ... 

, which was thenceforth called New York. This conquest was confirmed by the treaty of Breda, in July 1667. In July 1673, a Dutch fleet recaptured New York and held it until it was restored to the English by the treaty of Westminster in February, 1674. The second grant was obtained by in the New York state Library.
Constitution
The New York constitution was based on its colonial charter. This constitution was framed by a convention which assembled at White Plains, New York White Plains, New York

White Plains is a city [i] in Westchester County [i]... 

 on July 10, 1776, and after repeated adjournments and changes of location, terminated its labors at Kingston, New York Kingston, New York

Kingston is a city [i] in Ulster County [i], New York [i], United States [i]. ... 

 on Sunday evening, April 20, 1777, when the constitution was adopted with but one dissenting vote. It was not submitted to the people for ratification. It was drafted by John Jay.

This constitution was a combination document, containing its Declaration of Independence from Great Britain Great Britain

Great Britain is an island lying off the northwestern coast of mainland Europe [i] and to the east of Ireland [i] ... 

, and its Constitutional Law. It called for a weak bicameral Bicameralism

In government [i], bicameralism is the practice of having two legislative or parliamentary chamber [i]s. ... 

 legislature and a strong executive branch. It retained provisions from the colonial charter such as the substantial property qualification for voting and the ability of the governor to disband the elected legislature. This imbalance of power between the branches of state government kept the elite firmly in control, and disenfranchised most New Yorkers who would fight the Revolutionary War American Revolution

The American Revolution was a political movement that ended British [i] control ... 

. Slavery was legal in New York until 1827.

Under this constitution, the Assembly had a provision for a maximum of 70 Members, with the following apportionment:

  1. For the city and county of New York, nine.
  2. The city and county of Albany, ten
  3. The county of Dutchess, seven.
  4. The county of Westchester, six.
  5. The county of Ulster, six.
  6. The county of Suffolk , five.
  7. The county of Queens , four.
  8. The county of Orange , four.
  9. The county of Kings , two.
  10. The county of Richmond , two.
  11. Tryon County , six.
  12. Charlotte County , four.
  13. Cumberland County , three.
  14. Gloucester County , two.


This apportionment was to stand unchanged until a period of seven years from the end of the Revolution had expired, whereupon a census was held to correct the apportionment.

On the subject of Disenfranchisement, Article VII of the new constitution had the following to say:

VII. That every male inhabitant of full age, who shall have personally resided within one of the counties of this State for six months immediately preceding the day of election, shall, at such election, be entitled to vote for representatives of the said county in assembly; if, during the time aforesaid, he shall have been a freeholder, possessing a freehold of the value of twenty pounds, within the said county, or have rented a tenement therein of the yearly value of forty shillings, and been rated and actually paid taxes to this State: Provided always, That every person who now is a freeman of the city of Albany, or who was made a freeman of the city of New York on or before the fourteenth day of October, in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and seventy-five, and shall be actually and usually resident in the said cities, respectively, shall be entitled to vote for representatives in assembly within his said place of residence.
  • For more information on this constitution, see: New York State Constitutions

Westward expansion

The western part of New York had been settled by the six nations of the Iroquois Iroquois

The Confederacy is a group of First Nations [i]/Native Americans [i] ... 

 Confederacy for at least 500 years before Europeans came. The Iroquois had maintained the area between Seneca and Cayuga Lakes as a grassland prairie, which abounded in wild game including grazing American Bison American Bison

The American Bison is a bovine [i] mammal [i] that is the largest terrestrial mammal in North America [i] ... 

 herds. In colonial times, the Iroquois were prosperously growing corn, vegetables and orchards, and keeping cows and hogs; fish were also abundant.

The colonial charter of New York granted unlimited westward expansion. Massachusetts Massachusetts

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts is a state [i] in the New England [i] region of the northeastern [i] ... 

' charter had the same provision, causing territorial disputes between the colonies and with the Iroquois. During the revolution American Revolutionary War

The American Revolutionary War , also known as the American War of Independence, was a war between... 

, four of the Iroquois nations fought on the side of the British. In 1779, Major General John Sullivan John Sullivan

----
John Sullivan was an American [i] general in the Revolutionary War [i] ... 

 was sent to defeat the Iroquois. The Sullivan Expedition moved northward through the Finger Lakes Finger Lakes

The Finger Lakes are glacially [i] formed lakes in upstate New York [i], mainly linear in shape, ... 

 and Genesee Country Holland Purchase

The Holland Purchase is a large tract of land in what is now western portion of the U.S. state [i] of New York [i] ... 

, burning all the Iroquois communities and destroying their crops and orchards. Refugees fled to Fort Niagara Fort Niagara

Fort Niagara is a three hundred-year-old fortification originally built to protect the interests of New France [i] ... 

 where they spent the following winter in hunger and misery. Hundreds died of exposure, hunger and disease. After the war, many moved to Canada Canada

Canada is the world's second-largest [i] country by total area, occupying most ... 

.

Canals


Transportation in western New York was difficult before canals were built in the early part of the nineteenth century 19th century

The 19th century lasted from 1801 [i] through 1900 [i] in the Gregorian calendar [i].
... 

. The Hudson Hudson River

The Hudson River, called Muh-he-kun-ne-tuk in Mahican [i], is a river [i] running mainly throu ... 

 and Mohawk Mohawk River

The Mohawk River is a major waterway in north-central New York [i], United States [i]. ... 

 Rivers could be navigated only as far as Central New York. While the St. Lawrence River Saint Lawrence River

The Saint Lawrence River is a large west-to-east flowing river [i] in the middle latitudes of North America [i] ... 

 could be navigated to Lake Ontario Lake Ontario

Lake Ontario , bounded on the north by Ontario [i] and on the south by Ontario's Niagara Peninsula [i] a ... 

, the way westward to the other Great Lakes Great Lakes

The Great Lakes are a group of five large lake [i]s in North America [i] on or near the Canada [i]-United States [i] ... 

 was blocked by Niagara Falls Niagara Falls

Niagara Falls is a set of massive waterfall [i]s located on the Niagara River [i] in eastern North America [i]... 

, and so the only route to western New York was over land. Governor DeWitt Clinton DeWitt Clinton

DeWitt Clinton was an early American politician.
... 

 strongly advocated building a canal to connect the Hudson River with Lake Erie Lake Erie

Lake Erie is the eleventh largest lake [i] on Earth and, of the five Great Lakes [i] of North America [i] ... 

, and thus all the Great Lakes Great Lakes

The Great Lakes are a group of five large lake [i]s in North America [i] on or near the Canada [i]-United States [i] ... 

. Work commenced in 1817, and the Erie Canal Erie Canal

The Erie Canal is a canal [i] in New York State [i], United States [i], that runs from the Hudson River [i] ... 

 was finished in 1825. The canal opened up vast areas of New York to commerce and settlement, and enabled port cities such as Buffalo Buffalo, New York

[i] [[New York|New York State]... 

 to grow and prosper. The Welland Canal Welland Canal

The Welland Canal is a ship canal [i] that runs 43.4 km from Port Colborne, Ontario [i] on Lake Erie [i] ... 

 was completed in 1833, bypassing Niagara Falls Niagara Falls

Niagara Falls is a set of massive waterfall [i]s located on the Niagara River [i] in eastern North America [i]... 

 to connect Lakes Ontario and Erie.

Sullivan's men returned from the campaign to Pennsylvania Pennsylvania

The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a state [i] in the northeastern [i] ... 

 and New England New England

New England is a region of the United States [i] located in the northeastern corner of the country. ... 

 to tell of the enormous wealth of this new territory. Many of them were given land grants Central New York Military Tract

The Military Tract of Central New York [i], also called the New Military Tract, consisted of nearl ... 

 in gratitude for their service in the Revolution. From 1786 through 1797 several groups of wealthy land speculators entered into agreements with one another, with neighboring states, and with the Indians Native Americans in the United States

American Indian and Alaskan NativesU.S. state [i]s and several of the inhabited insular areas [i] that a ... 

 to obtain title to vast tracts of land in western New York. Some purchases of Iroquois Iroquois

The Confederacy is a group of First Nations [i]/Native Americans [i] ... 

 lands are the subject of numerous modern-day land claims by the individual nations of the six nations.

Demographics



According to the U.S. Census Bureau United States Census Bureau

The United States Census Bureau is a part of the United States Department of Commerce [i]. ... 

, as of 2005, New York was the third largest state in population after California California

California is a state [i] spanning the southern half of the west coast [i] ... 

 and Texas Texas

Texas is a state [i] in both the Southern [i] and Western [i] ... 

, with an estimated population of 19,254,630 , which is an increase of 27,542, or 0.1%, from the prior year and an increase of 277,809, or 1.5%, since the year 2000. This includes a natural increase since the last census of 527,876 people and a decrease from net migration of 334,093 people out of the state. Immigration from outside the United States resulted in a net increase of 667,007 people, and migration within the country produced a net loss of about 502,155. New York is said to be the slowest growing large state. However, current statistics estimate that by 2050, New York's population will be 20.8 milllion, yet this will still be behind California, Texas and Florida. New York has experienced a downfall in jobs, but with government help, the state's people who once left are now returning.

Racial and ancestral makeup

According to 2004 estimate, 20.4% of the population was foreign-born.

The top ancestry groups in New York are African American African American

An African American is a member of an ethnic group [i] in the United States [i] whose ancestors, usual... 

 , Italian Italian American

An Italian American is an American [i] of Italian [i] descent. ... 

 , Irish Irish American

Irish Americans are residents of the United States [i] who acknowledge Irish [i] ancestry. ... 

 , and German German American

German Americans are citizens of the United States [i] of German [i] ancestry. ... 

 ,

New York contains the country's largest Dominican Dominican Republic

The Dominican Republic, is a country located on the eastern two-thirds of the Caribbean [i] ... 

 population and largest Puerto Rican Puerto Rico

The Commonwealth of Puerto Rico , also Porto Rico and more commonly Puerto Rico, is a United States [i] ... 

 population . Brooklyn Brooklyn

Brooklyn is one of the five boroughs [i] of New York City [i]. ... 

 and the Bronx The Bronx

The Bronx is one of the five boroughs [i] of New York City [i]. ... 

 are home to many African-Americans African American

An African American is a member of an ethnic group [i] in the United States [i] whose ancestors, usual... 

 and Queens Queens

Queens is one of the five boroughs [i] of New York City [i]. ... 

 has a large population of Latin American origin, as well as the state's largest Asian-American Asian American

An Asian American is generally defined as a person of Asian ancestry [i] who was born in or ... 

 population.


The 2000 Census revealed which ancestries were in which counties. Italian-Americans Italian American

An Italian American is an American [i] of Italian [i] descent. ... 

 make up the largest ancestral group in Staten Island and Long Island, followed by Irish-Americans Irish American

Irish Americans are residents of the United States [i] who acknowledge Irish [i] ancestry. ... 

. Manhattan's leading ancestry group is Irish-Americans, followed by Italian-Americans. Albany and southeast-central New York are heavily Irish-American and Italian-American. In Buffalo and western New York, German-Americans German American

German Americans are citizens of the United States [i] of German [i] ancestry. ... 

 are the largest group; in the northern tip of the state, French-Canadians.

6.5% of New York's population were reported as under 5 years of age, 24.7% under 18, and 12.9% were 65 or older. Females made up approximately 51.8% of the population.

The bulk of New York's population lives within two hours of New York City New York City

[i] in the [[United States]... 

. According to the July 1, 2004 Census Bureau Estimate, New York City New York City

[i] in the [[United States]... 

 and its six closest New York State satellite counties have a combined population of 12,626,200 people, or 65.67% of the state's population.

New York State has a higher number of Italian-Americans than any other U.S. state.

Religion

As of 2006, the religious affiliations of New York citizens were:

40.0% Protestant,

38.9% Roman Catholic,

7.3% Baptist,

6.1% Methodist,

5.5% Episcopal,

3.2% Presbyterian,

17.9% Non-religious

3.4% Jewish,

2.0% Muslim,

The Washington Heights neighborhood of Manhattan contains the shrine and burial place of Saint Saint

A saint is a term used to refer to someone who is a holy person [i]. ... 

 Frances Xavier Cabrini , the patron saint of immigrants and the first American citizen to be canonized.

At Chautauqua Lake in the southwestern portion of the state is the Chautauqua Institution Chautauqua Institution

The Chautauqua Institution is a non-profit adult education center and summer resort located on 750 acres... 

, co-founded by Methodist Reverend John Vincent and devoted to adult continuing education in an uplifting setting, as that ambiance was understood in the last half of the Nineteenth Century. The Institution, which still exists, offers to a predominantly middle class and Mid-American clientele a very high standard of intellectual summer lectures, mixed with certain elements of folksy religious camp meetings, such as outdoor recreation and musical events. While some aspects of this pedagogy may seem quaint today, the Institution helped assure that high intellectual achievement would be recognized as consistent with the value system of an emerging powerful Midwest Midwestern United States

The Midwestern United States is a region of the north-central and northeastern United States of America [i] ... 

, and was one of several ways that Upstate New York Upstate New York

arles Evans Hughes]] [i]
  • Franklin Roosevelt [i]

... 

 served between the Civil War American Civil War

The American Civil War was a sectional conflict in the United States of America [i] between the federal ... 

 and World War II World War II

World War II, or the Second World War, was a worldwide [i] conflict [i] fought betwe ... 

 as a transmitting intermediary between the standards of the East Coast and the interior agricultural regions of the central states.

Important cities and towns

New York City New York City

[i] in the [[United States]... 

 is both the largest city in the United States United States

The United States of America, also known as the United States, the U.S., the U.S.A., a... 

, and home to over two-fifths of the population of the entire state. Albany Albany, New York

official_name = City of Albany, New York
... 

 is the state capital, and the Town of Hempstead Town of Hempstead, New York

The Town of Hempstead is one of the three town [i]s in Nassau County [i] ... 

 is its largest civil township.



Its major cities and towns are:


*Amherst Amherst, New York

Amherst is a town [i] in Erie County [i], New York [i], USA [i], directly northeas ... 


*Albany Albany, New York

official_name = City of Albany, New York
... 


*Batavia Batavia (city), New York

[i], [[United States|USA]... 


*Binghamton Binghamton, New York

Binghamton is a city [i] located in the southern tier of upstate New York [i] in the United States [i]. ... 


*Buffalo Buffalo, New York