The Land of New York

Geography and New York State

• Geography is the study of the Earth and how people, plants, and animals interact with it.
• New York's global address includes being part of the United States, which is located in North America, one of the Earth's seven continents.
• Landforms are natural features on the Earth's surface.
• Examples of landforms in New York include:
  • The Hudson River valley, a lowland area with a river flowing through it.
  • The Finger Lakes, a group of lakes resembling fingers on a hand.
  • The Taconic, Catskill, and Adirondack mountains, part of the Appalachian mountain range.
  • The Appalachian Plateau, a large, elevated area in central New York.
  • Moraines, lines of low hills formed by glaciers pushing rocks and soil.

Glacial Impact on New York

• During the Ice Age, glaciers covered most of New York, shaping many of the landforms.
• The Great Lakes and Finger Lakes were formed by glaciers carving deep trenches or canyons.
• The southwestern region of New York was not covered by glaciers, resulting in gentler, rounded hills, a pre-glacial landscape.

New York's Geographical Regions

• New York can be divided into six geographical regions, each with unique features, natural resources, and identities.
  • Western New York: Mostly flat, near Lake Erie, with transportation industries.
  • Finger Lakes Region: Rich farmland and numerous lakes.
  • Northern New York: Popular vacation destination due to the Adirondack Mountains.

Water Resources in New York

• Water is a vital natural resource in New York.
• Waterways, like rivers and streams, have historically been used for transportation and movement of goods.
• The Hudson River flows from its source, Lake Tear-in-the-Clouds in the Adirondacks, to its mouth at New York Harbor.
• The Mohawk River is a tributary of the Hudson, serving as a route to the West for European settlers.
• The Saint Lawrence River separates New York from Canada, featuring the Thousand Islands at its beginning.
• The Niagara River connects Lake Erie to Lake Ontario, containing the famous Niagara Falls.
• Lakes provide various benefits in New York, including sources for rivers, transportation routes, and borders between states and countries.
  • Lake Champlain forms part of the border between New York and Vermont.
  • The Great Lakes (Superior, Huron, Michigan, Erie, and Ontario) are the largest freshwater body in the world.
  • Lake Erie and Lake Ontario border western New York.

Coastal Features

• The mouth of the Hudson River opens into New York Harbor, an important natural harbor for shipping since the 1600s.
• Long Island extends 118 miles east to west, bordered by the Atlantic Ocean on the south coast and Long Island Sound on the north.

Weather and Climate in New York

• Weather describes the state of the air at a specific time and place, including wind, rain, and snow.
• Climate refers to the long-term weather patterns of an area.
• Landforms and bodies of water influence weather and climate.
  • Mountains create cooler air due to their elevation.
  • Water bodies contribute to cooler temperatures and precipitation.
  • Winds from the Great Lakes can bring snow, leading to the "snow belt" in upstate New York.
• Temperature varies with elevation and season.
  • Southeastern New York, at sea level, is generally warmer than higher elevation areas.
• Precipitation refers to the amount of moisture that falls as rain, snow, sleet, or hail.
  • The areas around Lake Erie and Lake Ontario receive significant snow due to moisture from the lakes.
• New York experiences both pleasant and extreme weather conditions, including blizzards.