Information about New York:
New York was the 11th state in the USA; it became a state on July 26, 1788. Some Important Information about New York City is given below:
State Abbreviation - NY
State Capital - Albany
Biggest City - New York City
Area - 54,475 square miles [New York is the 27th largest state in the USA]
Population - 8,274,527 (as of 2007) [New York is the third most populous state in the USA, after California and Texas]
Name for Residents - New Yorkers
Major Industries - finance, communications, international trade, publishing, fashion, communications, farming (fruit and dairy), tourism
Main Rivers - Hudson River, Mohawk River, Genesee River
Highest Point - Mt. Marcy, 5,344 feet (1,629 m) above sea level

Origin of the Name New York - The English took over of the area that had been called "New Netherland" in 1664, and renamed it New York to honor the Duke of York (York is a city in England).
State Nickname - The Empire State
State Motto - Excelsior (Ever Upwards)
State Song - "I Love New York"
Refernce: http://www.enchantedlearning.com/usa/states/newyork/
Click Here to See Map of New York City