New York, also known as New York State, is located in the Northeastern United States. As one of the Mid-Atlantic states, it shares borders with several significant regions, including the Atlantic Ocean, New England, Canada, and the Great Lakes. Moreover, it stands as the fourth-most populous state in the United States and ranks eighth in terms of population density. In addition to its diverse population, New York boasts a varied geography. For instance, the southeastern part of the state, commonly referred to as Downstate, includes New York City, the largest city in the United States; Long Island, the country’s most populous island; as well as the affluent suburbs and enclaves of the lower Hudson Valley. Consequently, these areas form the core of the New York metropolitan area, an expansive urban region that accounts for approximately two-thirds of the state’s total population. In contrast, the much larger Upstate area stretches from the Great Lakes to Lake Champlain, featuring notable natural landmarks such as the Adirondack Mountains and the Catskill Mountains, which are part of the broader Appalachian range. Additionally, the east–west Mohawk River Valley cuts through the more mountainous parts of Upstate, eventually merging with the north–south Hudson River Valley near Albany, the state capital. Further west, Western New York encompasses cities like Buffalo and Rochester, which are part of the Great Lakes region, bordering both Lake Ontario and Lake Erie. Meanwhile, Central New York is centered around the city of Syracuse. Between the central and western regions, the landscape is dominated by the scenic Finger Lakes, a popular tourist destination. To the south, the Southern Tier, which lies along the Pennsylvania border, rests atop the Allegheny Plateau, marking the northernmost part of the Appalachian region.