Outline of New York
New York is a leading center of banking, communication, and finance in the United States. It is also a leader in wholesale and retail trade and in manufacturing. According to the 2000 census, New York ranked as the nation's third-largest state in population. Only California and Texas had more people.
Much of the state's greatness lies in huge, exciting New York City. New York City is the largest city in the United States, and it ranks as one of the largest cities in the world. It is one of the world's leading centers of business. Its large number of theaters, museums, and musical organizations make it a major cultural center. New York City is a busy seaport. In its harbor stands the Statue of Liberty, long a symbol of freedom to people in all parts of the world. As the headquarters of the United Nations, New York City can be called the ''capital of the world.''
In addition to New York City, several other cities in the state are important manufacturing and trading centers. These cities include Albany, the capital of New York. However, New York is not just a state of business and industry. It is also a land of fertile river valleys, forested hills, tall mountains, and sparkling lakes. New York's many scenic attractions draw millions of tourists each year. Niagara Falls, the state's most magnificent natural wonder, is a chief attraction. New York City is also a major tourist center.
The state's factories turn out an incredible variety of products, from industrial machinery to fine jewelry. New York state is a leading United States producer of chemicals, photographic equipment, heating and cooling machinery, computer microchips, electronic components, and bakery products. New York City ranks as the nation's largest center of printing and publishing.
New York was one of the original 13 states. Henry Hudson, an English explorer sailing under the Dutch flag, claimed the New York region for the Netherlands in 1609. The Dutch named the region New Netherland. On Manhattan Island, the Dutch established New Amsterdam, which later became New York City. The English took control of New Netherland in 1664. They renamed it New York in honor of the Duke of York. About a third of all the battles of the Revolutionary War in America (1775-1783) were fought in New York. New York City served as the capital of the United States from 1785 to 1790. George Washington took the oath of office there as the first U.S. president. In the early 1800's, New York began its great era of canal and railroad building. By 1850, New York ranked as the leading manufacturing state.
New York City is the largest United States city in population, and its metropolitan area ranks as the country's second largest. The city and its metropolitan area are among the world's largest in population. The 2000 United States Census reported that New York City had 8,008,278 people, and that its metropolitan area had 9,314,235 people. Four other cities in New York with more than 100,000 people are, in order of size, Buffalo, Rochester, Yonkers, and Syracuse.
New York is one of the chief vacationlands in the United States. Its forested mountains, shimmering lakes, sandy beaches, and vast areas of unspoiled wilderness attract millions of summer vacationers yearly. Long Island's beaches and the Thousand Islands area are especially popular for fishing and water sports. Winter sports fans enjoy New York's excellent facilities for skiing, snowmobiling, tobogganing, iceboating, ice fishing, and ice-skating. Visitors also come to see New York's many historic forts and houses, and such magnificent wonders of nature as Niagara Falls. Every major urban center has places of historical and cultural interest. New York City's attractions draw more than 17 million visitors a year.
Some historians believe New York's nickname-the Empire State-came from a remark made by George Washington. When Washington visited New York in 1783, he predicted that it might become the seat of a new empire. New York is also called the Excelsior State. Excelsior, a Latin word meaning ever upward, is the state motto.
