Long Island

Stretching over 1,337 square miles, Long Island is the largest island in the continental United States and is also one of the world's more heavily populated. True to the image of its name, the island is 118 miles long and only 12 to 20 miles wide between the Atlantic Ocean and Long Island Sound. The New York City boroughs of Brooklyn and Queens share the physical space of Long Island with Nassau and Suffolk counties, although the two boroughs are aligned with New York City or simply, "The City." The common use of the term "Long Island" or "the Island" refers to Nassau and Suffolk counties. The demographics and characteristics of these two counties vary from the New York City boroughs as well. Many of the Long Island communities, particularly those along the "Gold Coasts" of the North Shore, boast income and education levels that are among the highest in the nation. Long Island was the place where many of yesterday's wealthy and prestigious New Yorker's built lavish estates and manors. Today, Long Island is home to a selection of communities and environments that are appealing to a wide cross-section of newcomers.

 

Long Island by its very nature is geographically unique. Long Island Sound lies to the north, separating the island from the coast of Connecticut and Rhode Island. Great South Bay, South Oyster Bay, and Jamaica Bay lie to the south. These "lagoons" are protected from the Atlantic Ocean by a string of narrow barrier islands, most notably Fire Island. At its eastern end, Long Island separates into the North Fork and South Fork. Geographically, Long Island is classified as Mid-Atlantic. However, the strongest similarities with other Mid-Atlantic coastal communities are found along the South Shore in places like Long Beach, Valley Stream, and Babylon Village. The many towns and hamlets that dot the North Shore and those in eastern Suffolk County including Oyster Bay, Port Jefferson, and Sag Harbor look more like New England villages.

Economy

Affluence is readily associated with the Long Island counties of Nassau and Suffolk, where the standard of living is high and residents pay some of the nation's highest property taxes. Three Ponds in Bridgehampton has long been touted as the most expensive property in the nation. Other luxury communities include the Hamptons, Cold Spring Harbor, Lloyd Harbor, Garden City, Laurel Hollow, and Manhasset. Following several decades of aviation leadership with companies like Grumman, Long Island is emerging as a hub for the computer industry. The Hauppauge Industrial Park is one of the largest on the East Coast, home to 1,300 companies. Much of the eastern part of the island remains agricultural, including many vineyards, and revenue from tourism is significant.

 

Climate 

Long Island climate is similar to that of other Northeast coastal areas, with warm and humid summers and cold winters. However, the Atlantic Ocean brings cooling breezes in the warmer months. Winter temperatures tend to be warmer than those experienced further inland. Sometimes inland snow storms will fall as rain on Long Island. Measurable snow falls every winter. Long Island temperatures also vary from west to east, with the eastern section being the cooler side. The western section is closer to the mainland and more densely developed, holding "urban heat." The less developed east side maintains a more natural environment and is more affected by oceanic winds.

AT A GLANCE

 

Population                   19,254,630

Total Area                    54,475 square miles

Land Area                    47,224 square miles

Water Area                  7,251 square miles

Coastline                     127 miles

Shoreline                     1,850 miles

Highest Point               Mt. Marcy at 5,344 feet

Lowest Point                Atlantic coastline

Capital City                  Albany

Border States               Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Vermont, Rhode Island (by water only)

Largest Cities               New York, Buffalo, Rochester, Yonkers, Syracuse, Albany, New Rochelle, Mount Vernon, Schenectady, Utica

Area Codes                  212, 315, 347, 516, 518, 607, 631, 646, 716, 718, 845, 914, 917

Agriculture                   Dairy products, cattle and other livestock, vegetables, nursery stock, apples

Industry                        Printing and publishing, scientific instruments, electric equipment, machinery, chemical products, tourism

Statehood                    July 26, 1788

State Bird                    Bluebird

State Flower                Rose

State Tree                    Sugar Maple

State Motto                  Excelsior

State Nickname           Empire State

State Name Origin       Named after England's Duke of York

State Song                   I Love New York

 

Topography

The principal highland regions of the state are the Adirondacks in the northeast and the Appalachian Plateau in the south. The plateau is subdivided by the deep channel of Seneca Lake, extending from the lake plain of Lake Ontario southward to the Chemung River Valley, into the Western and Eastern Plateaus. The former extends from the eastern Finger Lakes across the hills of southwestern New York to the narrow lake plain bordering Lake Erie. The latter stretches from the eastern Finger Lakes to the Hudson River Valley and includes the Catskill Mountains.

Much of the eastern border of the state consists of a long, narrow lowland region, which is occupied by Lake Champlain, Lake George, and the middle and lower portions of the Hudson Valley. A third lowland region, which contains Lake Oneida and a deep valley cut by the Mohawk River, connects the Hudson Valley, and the Great Lakes Plain.

 

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