Capital: Albany

State abbreviation/Postal code: N.Y./NY

Governor: Eliot Spitzer, D (to Jan. 2011)

Lieut. Governor: David Paterson (to Jan. 2011)

Senators: Charles E. Schumer, D (to Jan. 2011); Hillary Rodham Clinton, D (to Jan. 2013)

U.S. Representatives: 29

Historical biographies of Congressional members

Secy. of State: Lorraine Cort�s-V�squez (apptd. by governor)

Comptroller: Alan G. Hevesi, D (to Jan. 2011)

Atty. General: Andrew M. Cuomo, D (to Jan. 2011)

Entered Union (rank): July 26, 1788 (11)

Present constitution adopted: 1777 (last revised 1938)

Motto: Excelsior (Ever upward)

State symbols:

Nickname: Empire State

Origin of name: In honor of the Duke of York

10 largest cities (2005 est.): New York, 8,143,197; Buffalo, 279,745; Rochester, 211,091; Yonkers, 196,425; Syracuse, 141,683; Albany, 93,523; New Rochelle, 72,967; Mount Vernon, 67,924; Schenectady, 61,280; Utica, 59,336

Land area: 47,214 sq mi. (122,284 sq km)

Geographic center: In Madison Co., 12 mi. S of Oneida and 26 mi. SW of Utica

Number of counties: 62

Largest county by population and area: Kings, 2,486,235 (2005); St. Lawrence, 2,686 sq mi.

State forest preserves: Adirondacks, 2,500,000 ac.; Catskills, 250,000 ac.

State parks: 176

Residents: New Yorker

2005 resident population est.: 19,254,630

2000 resident census population (rank): 18,976,457 (3). Male: 9,146,748 (48.2%); Female: 9,829,709 (51.8%). White: 12,893,689 (67.9%); Black: 3,014,385 (15.9%); American Indian: 82,461 (0.4%); Asian: 1,044,976 (5.5%); Other race: 1,341,946 (7.1%); Two or more races: 590,182 (3.1%); Hispanic/Latino: 2,867,583 (15.1%). 2000 percent population 18 and over: 75.3; 65 and over: 12.9; median age: 35.9.

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