Its motto: Ever Upward.

Its nicknames: Empire State, Excelsior State.

A Realm of Solitude, far from Manhattan

 New York State is very nearly the size of England. And upon it nature has mapped out her own brand of dukedoms and baronies the Adirondack and Catskill mountains, the Finger Lakes, the valley of the Hudson River - each a world unto itself, with its own mood, myths, and varied charms.

New York City sees itself as a center, but it has always been a gateway the front door to America for immigrants and commerce. The western boundary of Manhattan, the Hudson River, was and is the start of a corridor to the heartland of the continent. It was named for Henry Hudson, who explored it in 1609. The broad expanse of the Hudson River is one of the greatest of all American landscapes. It inspired the Hudson River school of painters and scores of writers. The bright, hazy light of the river was captured in the canvases of artists Jaspar Cropsey and John Frederick Kensett in the style known as luminism. Frederick E. Church built his home and studio on a hill overlooking it. Washington Irving, author of «Rip Van Winkle» and «The Legend of Sleepy Hollow,» wrote his short stones and books in a comfortable cottage by the river. The U.S. Military Academy occupies a promontory on the Hudson.

West of the Hudson rise the Catskill Mountains. To the north, the Adirondack Mountains form one of the nation's oldest preserves. For nearly two centuries, visitors have come to relax by the tranquil blue lakes and exquisite waterfalls of the Adirondacks. as well as to fish, hunt, and hike. The largest lake is the Champlam Lake.

New York's other famous lakes lie in the west central part of the state Viewed on a map or from the air, the five largest lakes look like the outspread fingers of a huge hand - hence their name. the Finger

Lakes Vineyards stud the peaceful countryside around the Finger Lakes, which became a major producer of wine in the 19th century.

North of the Finger Lakes lies Lake Ontario. New York s northern border for 200 miles. Below the lake, in the westernmost part of the state is the grandest of New York's natural wonders - Niagara Falls. More than 3,000 feet wide, the "sublime cataract", as a traveler called it in the 1840's, straddles the Canadian border.

Among the New York natives who become internationally acclaimed authors are Herman Melville, Arthur Miller, Eugene O'Neill, Walt Whitman, Edith Whaiton, Henry James, James Baldwin, and J. D. Salinger.

New York City has always been a melting pot. As early as the mid-1600's, at least 18 languages were spoken there.

In 1788 New York ratified U.S. Constitution, becoming the 11th' state.

(”The USA Diversity of 50 States”)