Every time I leave my hometown and travel, I am burdened with the task of explaining where I live to people I run across. A small town in Upstate New York, I often have to use the nearby city of Plattsburgh to point people in the right direction. Recently there was a prison break from the Clinton County Correctional Facility in Dannemora, New York. With national attention, it brought the real upstate into the spotlight. Because of the inmates escape, people knew of Dannemora, a town five miles north of my home town Saranac. However, that being said, most of New York, doesn't know the real upstate. Calling places such as Syracuse, or even worse, Westchester Upstate New York. So, in order to help open the minds of many, its time for New York Geography.

Okay this is the state of New York. Pretty big right!

Now this is New York City. Pretty small in comparison.

And here is Long Island!!

So as you can see, even though New York City, and Long Island make up 75 percent of the New York population, they take up a fraction of the land. That leaves the rest of New York State to be divided between the other five million people.

So, lets start with the southern portion.

Contrary to popular belief, Southern New York goes up as far as Ulster! In fact, sitting at just over two hours from NYC, Ulster nearly breaks even at a third of the 6.5 hr drive up the NY coast. Places like Orange County and Westchester may be up from the city, but they are not upstate.

How about Central New York?

Capital of New York, Albany sits right in the center. As for the Saratoga race track, and the Saratoga Performance Arts Center, they are both located in the heart of Central New York.

Lets go out West!

Lake Ontario borders most of Western New York. With cities like Buffalo, Rochester, and Niagara Falls, the west sees plenty of visitors!

And finally.... the real Upstate New York

Yes I had to use a bowhunting picture... and yes that is probably the most upstate thing you can do, but for some reason people think...

This.....

Or this.....

Is an accurate portrayal of Upstate New York. In fact, there are practically no images for what is geographically considered Upstate New York. So....In case the shock of finding out New York is bigger than an island is starting to make you forget, take one more look. (The yellow is Upstate New York.)

I hope this little lesson of geography is helpful, and that people can view New York as more than just the City. There are a lot of great people, great places, and great ideas in New York. And they can be found all over this great big state!