New York State Almanac: Facts and Figures

Quick Facts, Figures, and Overview of the State of New York

New York is one of the Middle Atlantic states of the US. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south and by Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Vermont to the east. The state has a maritime border with Rhode Island east of Long Island, as well as an international border with the Canadian provinces of Ontario to the west and north, and Quebec to the north. New York was named by the British to honor the the Duke of York and Albany, the brother of England's King Charles II, when New Amsterdam was taken from the Dutch in 1664.

New York has long been a leader in the political, cultural, and economic life of the US Despite economic difficulties in the 1970s and '80s, mainly in New York City and other urban areas, the state still ranks among the US leaders in such important sectors as manufacturing, commerce, foreign trade, communications, and finance. The great metropolis of New York City is the nerve center of the nation. It is a leader in manufacturing, foreign trade, commerce and banking, book and magazine publishing, and theatrical production. A leading seaport, its John F. Kennedy International Airport is one of the busiest airports in the world. New York is also home to the New York Stock Exchange, the largest in the world. The printing and publishing industry is the city's largest manufacturing employer, with the apparel industry second. New York farms produce cattle and calves, corn and poultry, and vegetables and fruits. The state is a leading wine producer.