How Tall Is New York? Total Distance North to South

The skyline of New York City, United States
© StockByM/iStock via Getty Images

Written by Joanne Paiva

Published: January 5, 2024

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New York is one of the 13 original colonies and the 27th state in the union which was established in 1782. Most importantly, it is known for New York City and Niagara Falls. There is a lot of history in this state from its famous buildings to its famous landmarks. For example, the Statue of Liberty in the New York Harbor is a gift of friendship from France and a symbol of the American dream. The population of New York is made up of immigrants from all over the world. Indeed, it is the financial, cultural, entertainment, and media capital and it is the city that never sleeps!

Key Points

Grand Central Station

Grand Central Terminal is the largest train station in the world.

©Andrey Bayda/Shutterstock.com

  • New York is the fashion capital of the world.
  • The Genesee River flows from the south to the north.
  • A third of the Revolutionary War battles took place here. For example, the Battle of Saratoga was one of its most pivotal battles.
  • The oldest park in the United States is Niagara Falls.
  • Grand Central Terminal is the largest train station in the world with over 1 million commuters weekly.
  • Buffalo wings were invented here.

How Tall Is New York? Total Distance North to South

New York is 330 miles in length from its northern Canadian border to its southern border with Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and the Atlantic Ocean. In fact, it borders six states in total the others being Connecticut, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, and Vermont to the east and in the west the Great Lakes of Lake Erie and Lake Ontario. It is 285 miles wide with an area of 54,555 mi2. As of 2022, the population was 19,677,151.

Ecoregions

Canandaigua Lake in the Finger Lakes region of New Yrok State in the USA

The Finger Lakes are breathtaking.

©Jim Schwabel/Shutterstock.com

The northeastern Adirondack upland region is characterized by high mountains. For instance, Mount Marcy is 5,344 feet above sea level. Recreation is its main use and it is also a designated wilderness preserve.

To the northeast are the St. Lawrence Lowlands extending from Lake Ontario to the ocean. Additionally, three subdivisions include the flats along the St Lawrence River, hills south and east of the plain, and beyond that a narrow plain with small lakes.

Following the Hudson River is the Hudson-Mohawk Lowland north of Manhattan to Albany and west along the Mohawk River. The Hudson Valley is between the Catskills to the west and the Taconic Range to the east. As a result, these pathways cut through the mountains of western and central New York and serve as the basis of the Erie Canal, the route of the New York Central Railroad, and the New York State Thruway.

The New England Upland extends east toward Massachusetts and Connecticut and south toward Pennsylvania across the Lower Hudson Valley.

The small regions of the Atlantic Coastal Plain extend from Massachusetts to Florida including Staten Island and Long Island and the Piedmont region comes up from New Jersey along the Hudson.

The largest region, the Appalachian Highlands, encompasses about half of the state extending from the Hudson Valley to the southern and western boundaries. Within this region are the Delaware River basin, the Finger Lakes Hills, and the Catskills offering farming, dairyland, and recreational areas for summer and winter sports.

The Erie-Ontario Lowlands are north of the Appalachian Highlands west of the Mohawk Valley extending along the southern Great Lakes and are a fruit-growing area.

The Tug Hill Upland between the lake lowlands and the Adirondacks north of Oneida has excessive winter snow and poor soil quality.

Flora and Fauna

Male Northern Cardinal (cardinalis cardinalis) on a Spruce branch covered with snow

Cardinals are commonly seen in New York.

©Steve Byland/Shutterstock.com

Forested woodland covers over three-fifths of the state. There are nearly 150 species of trees, and some are southern varieties. For instance, sweet gum and the tulip tree or yellow poplar. Mostly northern hardwoods grow here such as oak, red maple, birch, cherry, basswood, and ash. Conifers include white pines and hemlock.

Black bears, beavers, and white-tailed deer call this home. In addition, there are raccoons, muskrats, gray squirrels, woodchucks, snowshoe hares, eastern cottontails, and deer mice. Birds here include common house sparrows, mallards, ruffed grouses, red-tailed hawks, owls, and woodpeckers. There are also blue jays, cedar waxwings, eastern bluebirds, cardinals, American goldfinches, and eastern meadowlarks.

Interesting Facts

B&W photo of a barge going through the Erie Canal

The Erie Canal opened in 1825 connecting New York City to Buffalo.

©Everett Collection/Shutterstock.com

  • Three-fifths of New York is cropland and dairying is the most important source of farming income.
  • New York is a major wine producer in America. Specifically, it is gown in the Finger Lake and Hudson Valley regions.
  • The Erie Canal opened in 1825 connecting New York City to Buffalo.
  • West Point, founded in 1802, is the oldest military academy in the world.
  • In 2001, the September 11th terrorist attack on the World Trade Center killed nearly 3,000 innocent citizens.

In Conclusion

chrysler building detail

The Chrysler Building in New York City is an art deco treasure.

©Dirk Paessler/Shutterstock.com

There is so much to say about this interesting and significant state. To be sure New York is a large state with a diverse population and no shortage of things to do. Whether you choose to stay in the city and explore its many facets or go upcountry and experience the beauty it offers, New York is worth a visit!


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About the Author

Creative writing has always been a passion of mine. When I’m not writing or reading, I can be found outdoors exploring, birdwatching, and hiking.

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