George Washington referred to New York as “the Seat of the Empire.” Perhaps that’s how the state got its nickname, “the Empire State.”
Today, about 20 million people call New York State home, almost half of whom live in New York City.
While New York may be one state for the purpose of government, it’s made up of two geographic parts. They’re known as downstate and upstate. The imaginary line between the parts varies, depending on who’s drawing it. Many New Yorkers consider New York City and Long Island downstate and everything else upstate. Others draw the line north of the suburbs to the north of New York City. In either case, downstate and upstate are as different as can be.
