Wikijunior:North America/United States/New York

New York is a state in the Mid-Atlantic and Northeastern regions of the United States and is the nation's third most populous. The state is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and 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 Quebec and Ontario to the north. New York is often referred to as New York State to distinguish it from New York City.

History

New York was inhabited by different Native American groups at the time Dutch and French nationals moved into the region in the early 17th century. First claimed by Henry Hudson in 1609, the region came to have Dutch forts at Fort Orange, near the site of the present-day capital of Albany in 1614, and was colonized by the Dutch in 1624 at both Albany and Manhattan; it later fell to British rule in 1664.

New York state was one of the original thirteen colonies that became the United States. It was the 11th state to ratify the United States Constitution, on July 26, 1788.

Geography

New York covers 54,556 square miles (141,299 km²) and ranks as the 27th largest state by size. New York's borders touch two Great Lakes: Erie and Ontario; the provinces of Ontario and Quebec in Canada; three New England states: Vermont, Massachusetts, and Connecticut; the Atlantic Ocean, and two Mid-Atlantic states: New Jersey and Pennsylvania.

People

New York is the third largest state in population after California and Texas, with an estimated population of 19,490,297 as of July 1, 2008.

Catholics make up more than 40% of the population in New York. Protestants are 30% of the population, Jews 8%, Muslims 4%, Buddhists 1%, and 13% claim no religious affiliation.

State Symbols

The State Bird is the Eastern Bluebird
The State Flower is the Rose
The State Insect is the 9 Spotted Ladybug
The State Reptile is the Snapping Turtle
The State Tree is the Sugar Maple