New York and New York City are geographically located in the same region in the Northeastern region of the United States. New York and New York City refers to a state and one of the world’s biggest cities.
So the difference between New York vs New York City is that the former is a state in the United States, while the latter is a city inside the state of New York.
Nicknamed “The Big Apple” or “The City That Never Sleeps”, New York City comprises five boroughs, which are Manhattan, Bronx, Brooklyn, Queens, and Staten Island.
It’s one of America’s most popular cities as well as the most populated city in the country. New York City is sometimes referred to as New York or NYC for short. The city’s name is the same as the state which can be confusing sometimes to someone who is not familiar with the difference.
New York is a nice place to visit, especially if you are a tourist who intends to visit there soon.
New York (state)
New York is one of America’s most populated states, with about 19.6 million residents as of the time of writing this article.
Nicknamed “The Empire State” New York is a state located in the Northeastern region of the United States. It borders the Canadian provinces of Ontario and Quebec to the west and north and the New England Region to the east.
New York State was admitted into the Union in July 1788. It’s currently America’s fourth-most populous state. The total land area of the state is 141,300 square kilometres (54,556 square miles).
New York State is geographically divided into two distinct parts, Downstate and Upstate New York. Downstate is the southeastern part, which includes New York City, Long Island, and Hudson Valley.
These areas account for approximately two-thirds of the state’s entire population. These areas are in the heart of the New York metropolitan area.
Upstate New York spans across a larger area, ranging from the Great Lakes to Lake Champlain. The Adirondack Mountains and the Catskill Mountains are all areas in Upstate New York.
The Southern Tier region of the state stretches to the border with Pennsylvania.
Although New York City is the largest in the state, it’s not the capital of New York. The capital of New York State is Albany, which is also the oldest city in the state.
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New York City
Nicknamed “The Big Apple” New York City is one of the second-most populated cities in North America, the most populated in the United States.
New York City is located in the state of New York at the southern tip of one of the largest natural harbours in the world. Manhattan, Bronx, Brooklyn, Queens, and Staten Island are the five boroughs that form New York City.
New York City is one of the most beautiful and interesting cities in the world. It’s a city where dreams are turned into professions- a city that has a significant influence on fashion, arts, entertainment, technology, healthcare, education, tourism, politics, and life sciences.
Some of the world’s most prestigious institutions are in New York City. The famous Columbia University, a private Ivy League research university is located in New York City.
New York City is America’s most densely populated major city with an estimated population of over 8.4 million residents living in an area of 778.2 square kilometres (300.46 miles).
The geographical location of New York City makes it the premier gateway for legal immigration to the United States. The city is diverse and currently accommodates millions of legal immigrants.
According to Wikipedia, New York City in 2021 was home to over 3 million residents born outside American soil.
New York is a megacity with a large population and there is so much to compete for and achieve in “The City That Never Sleeps”.
New York vs New York City: Key Differences between New York and New York City
Places with the same name can be confusing to people who are not familiar with the geographical difference. For instance, Kansas City is not a city in the U.S. state of Kansas, rather it’s a city in Missouri, a state bordering Kansas to the east.
The main difference between New York and New York City is that the former is a state, while the latter is a city inside New York State.
New York State is geographically divided into two distinct parts, Downstate and Upstate New York. Downstate is the southeastern part, which includes New York City, Long Island, and Hudson Valley.
Upstate New York spans across a larger area, ranging from the Great Lakes to Lake Champlain. The Adirondack Mountains and the Catskill Mountains are all areas in Upstate New York.
New York City is the global hub for commerce and an important centre for international diplomacy as it is home to the headquarters of the UN.
The Big Apple is a city that has a significant influence on fashion, arts, entertainment, technology, healthcare, education, tourism, politics, and life sciences.
Some of the world’s most prestigious institutions are in New York City. The famous Columbia University, a private Ivy League research university is located in New York City.
New York City is home to the famous Statue of Liberty and one of the busiest metro systems in the world.
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New York vs New York City: Governance
New York was admitted into the Union in July 1788- it was the 11th of the original 13 to join the Union. The state government and governor oversee and manage the affairs of New York State.
New York City as the name implies is not a state but a city that has its mayor and government it manages.
New York vs New York City: Infrastructure
New York City is known for its high-rise buildings. The World Trade Center (WTC), Empire State Building, and Crystal Building are among the skyscrapers towering over the city.
There are also other skyscrapers in different parts of the state, such as Buffalo City Hall, Alfred E. Smith State Office Building, Seneca One Tower and the Rand Building.
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New York vs New York City: Size
When it comes to comparing the total area of the state and the city, the difference makes New York City the most densely populated major city in the United States.
New York State is currently America’s fourth-most populous state. The total land area of the state is 141,300 square kilometres (54,556 square miles).
New York City is America’s most densely populated major city with an estimated population of over 8.4 million residents living in an area of 778.2 square kilometres (300.46 miles).
New York vs New York City: Tourist Attractions
New York City has a lot of exciting places for places for tourists to visit. From Times Square to Central Park and Liberty Island, New York City provides several places to explore.
Niagara Falls is also a natural marvel that attracts thousands of tourists each year. Just for clarity, Niagara Falls is not located in New York City but in Goat Island in Niagara Falls, New York.
New York vs New York City: Comparison Chart
| New York | New York City | |
| Economy | Mixed with technology, manufacturing, commerce, education, etc. | Known for finance, fashion, arts, |
| Geography | Consist of urban, rural, and natural landscape | Highly urbanized, with fascinating landscapes such as Central Park |
| Governance | Governed by a governor, with a complex local government structure | Governed by a mayor and city council and divided into five boroughs |
| Key attractions | Niagara Falls, Finger Lakes, and the Adirondack Mountains. | Statue of Liberty, Columbia University, Times Square Time, Central Park |
| Cultural significance | Rich in natural beauty and history | Global hub of commerce and headquarters of the UN. |
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Conclusion
New York and New York City refers to a state and city, one of the most populous cities in the world.
The Big Apple is a city that has a significant influence on fashion, arts, entertainment, technology, healthcare, education, tourism, politics, and life sciences.
New York State comprises of cities, while New York City consists of five boroughs.
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References
- Wikipedia: New York (state)
