New York State Facts
Located in the Northeastern region of the United States, the state of New York borders six other states as well as Canada. It is a state famous for its natural wonders, such as Niagara Falls, historical treasures like the Statue of Liberty, and a bustling financial market. There are so many reasons why there are millions of people who visit this state each year. What many people may not realize is that New York City was actually the capital of the United States when George Washington took his oath as president at Federal Hall in 1789. More interesting facts and information are listed in a kid-friendly format below.
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New York State Quick Facts
- New York was the 11th state to enter the union.
- New York officially became a state on July 26, 1788.
- It is the 27th largest state, measured in square miles, in the United States.
- The state capital of New York is Albany.
- This states population is 19,651,127 (source 2013 United States Census Bureau estimate).
- New York is the 3rd most populous state in the United States, behind only California and Texas (source 2013 United States Census Bureau estimate).
- The state flower of New York is the Rose.
- The most popular nickname for this state is "The Empire State".
- Residents of New York are called New Yorkers.
- Major bodies of water in this US state include the Hudson River, Genesee River, and the Mohawk River.
- I Love New York is the state song.
New York Interesting Facts
- The New York City subway System, which opened to the public in 1904, is one of the largest public transportation systems in the world.
- New York is home to the oldest continually running newspaper in the U.S., The New York Post, which was established in 1803.
- New York was the first state to require people to use license plates on vehicles.
- New York City is the location of the United State's first pizzeria, which opened its doors in 1905.
- The Cross Island Chapel is the world's smallest church at just 3.5 feet X 6 feet (1.06 meters x 1.82 meters); it is located in the town of Oneida, New York.
New York Historical Facts
- Native American Indians were the first settlers in what is now New York City, but when European settlers began arriving in the 1620's they quickly took over. In 1624, the governor of a group of Dutch settlers, named Peter Minuit, purchased the Island of Manhattan from the Indians for the sum of 60 guilders.
- Explorers Giovanni da Verrazano, Henry Hudson, and Samuel de Champlain are all credited with exploring and discovering areas of New York State in the early 1500's. New York's Verrazano Bridge, Hudson River, and Lake Champlain are named after these three men.
- Early Dutch settlers called modern-day New York City New Amsterdam. In 1664, the English settlers renamed it New York.
- Ellis Island in New York Harbor was an entry point for millions of immigrants hoping to become American citizens between 1892 and 1954.