How well do you know New York State?
There's far more to New York than the big city. Six questions, from easy to hard, about the state's waterfalls, mountains, lakes and history.
Did you know?
- Niagara Falls State Park, created in 1885, is the oldest state park in the United States. About 3,160 tons of water flow over Niagara Falls every second.
- Lake Placid in the Adirondacks hosted the Winter Olympics twice, in 1932 and 1980. The 1980 Games are remembered for the US ice hockey team's famous 'Miracle on Ice' victory.
- Albany, New York's capital, is one of the oldest continuously inhabited European settlements in the original thirteen colonies, dating back to a Dutch trading post founded in the 1600s.
Beyond the big city
New York State stretches from the Atlantic Ocean to the Great Lakes and Canada. Beyond New York City lie mountains, forests, farms, historic towns and some of the most famous waterfalls in the world. The state's geography helped shape American history, from early canals and railroads to the growth of the country's largest city at the mouth of the Hudson River.
The Hudson Valley
The Hudson River flows about 315 miles from the Adirondacks to New York Harbor. Its valley inspired the Hudson River School of painters in the 1800s, who celebrated American landscapes. Today the valley is known for historic estates, farms, orchards and small towns popular with weekend visitors from the city.
The Adirondacks
The Adirondack Park protects mountains, thousands of lakes and ponds, and thousands of miles of rivers. It is sometimes described as bigger than several major national parks put together. Lake Placid, which hosted the Winter Olympics in 1932 and 1980, sits within the park and remains a center for winter sports.
Canals and trade
The Erie Canal, completed in 1825, allowed goods to move cheaply between the Great Lakes and the Atlantic. Cities such as Buffalo, Rochester and Syracuse grew along its route. Parts of the canal system still operate for recreational boating, and the canal trail is popular with cyclists.
Niagara Falls
Niagara Falls is one of North America's most famous natural wonders. Niagara Falls State Park, established in 1885, is the oldest state park in the United States. The falls also generate large amounts of hydroelectric power for New York and Ontario.
Wine and farms
New York has a large farming sector, producing apples, dairy products, maple syrup and grapes. The Finger Lakes region is especially known for Riesling wines, and farm stands and orchards across the state attract visitors, particularly during apple-picking season in autumn.