New York is a state in the northeastern U.S., known for New York City and towering Niagara Falls. NYC’s island of Manhattan is home to the Empire State Building, Times Square and Central Park. The Brooklyn Bridge connects Manhattan with the borough of Brooklyn. The iconic Statue of Liberty stands in New York Harbor. To the east, Long Island has beaches, the Montauk Lighthouse, the ritzy Hamptons and Fire Island. Abbreviation: NY Capital: Albany Temperature: 66 degrees, sunny Time: 2:00 PM (same time zone) Nickname:   " The Empire State "  This moniker reflects its vast wealth and resources. Population: 19.68m (PA 12.8m) Size: 54,556 square miles (PA 46,000) Cost of living:  $64,800 NYC $45,514 Buffalo $42,457 (PA $49,040) Minimum wage: $16 per hour in New York City and the counties of Nassau, Suffolk, and Westchester, and $15 per hour in the rest of the state .   Statehood: July 26, 1788 State Flag:  The arms feature a sun symbol, two supporters, and ...