How big is New York state?

New York state is 54,475 square miles and is the 27th-largest state in the United States. As of 2013, it had a population of over 19 million people, making it the third most populous state.

In 1664, after the British took over the area that had been known as "New Netherland," they renamed it "New York" as a tribute to the Duke of York. New York became a state on July 26, 1788, making it the 11th state to enter the Union. The state capital is Albany, but the largest and most famous city is New York City. New York state borders Canada, Rhode Island, Pennsylvania and New Jersey; it also borders Connecticut, Vermont and Massachusetts.