New York state is located on the coast of northeastern United States at the mouth of the Hudson River. It is bordered by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east, New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south,
Eastern New York is dominated by the Great Appalachian Valley. Lake Champlain is the main feature of the valley, which also includes the Hudson River. The southern part of the state is located on the Allegheny Plateau. The western part of the state comprises many water bodies and is drained by the Allegheny River. The northwest region is home to Niagara falls and Niagara River, which forms the border with Ontario between Lake Ontario and Lake Erie.
Climate
New York has a humid continental climate. Weather conditions are influenced by two continental air masses: a warm, humid one from the southwest and a cold, dry one from the northwest.
Winters are long and cold, especially in the Plateau Division of the state. In Northern Plateau, the temperatures can dip as low as -13 degree Fahrenheit and 5 degree Fahrenheit or colder in the Southern Plateau. Much of western and central New York is affected by lake-effect snow. Summers are cool in the Southern Plateau, while rest of the states enjoy pleasantly warm temperatures. Summer daytime temperature vary from 70 to 80 degree Fahrenheit over much of the state.
| Area | 54,475 square miles |
| Land Area | 48,708 square miles |
| Water Area | 7,251 square miles |
| Highest point | Mount Marcy (5,344 feet above sea level) |
| Lowest point | Atlantic Ocean |
| Highest temperature | 108 degree Fahrenheit |
| Lowest temperature | -52 degree Fahrenheit |
| Geographic Center | Madison County |
Rivers
Important rivers of New York state are:
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Mountains
There are four major mountain ranges in New York state. These are
- Adirondacks: It is located in the northeastern part of New York. It runs through Clinton, Essex, Franklin, Fulton, Hamilton, Herkimer, Lewis, Saint Lawrence, Saratoga,Warren and Washington counties. They are eroded domes consisting of many peaks either isolated or in groups.
- Catskills: These mountains are dissected plateau, an uplifted region which was eroded into sharp relief. They are on the west side of Hudson River and lie within the bounds of six counties.
- Shawangunks: It is a ridge in Ulster County.
- Taconic: It runs along the eastern border of New York State and extends into three boroughs of New York City. The highest peak is Mount Equinox
New York state has more than 7,600 freshwater lakes, ponds and reservoirs. There are around ten natural freshwater lakes of ten square miles or more, Lake Champlain being one of them. Other prominent lakes are the Finger lakes, Erie, Ontario, Greenwood lake, etc.
