The capital of the state of New York, Albany has been the seat of Albany County since 1683. The city is on the west bank of the Hudson River about 145 miles (233 kilometers) north of New York City. It is an inland seaport and a center of trade and commerce.

Places of interest

Albany was an important colonial city, first for the Dutch and later for the English. Its Dutch heritage is reflected in the names of streets as well as the annual Tulip Festival held at Washington Park. The State Capitol and Empire State Plaza are located in downtown Albany. The plaza is a complex of buildings with government, cultural, and convention facilities, including the New York State Museum and The Egg, a center for performing arts.

The Albany Institute of History and Art was founded in 1791. It is one of the oldest museums in the United States. The Schuyler Mansion, home of a general of the American Revolution named Philip Schuyler, and the Ten Broeck Mansion were both built in the 1700s and are of considerable historical interest. Educational institutions in Albany include the State University of New York, the Albany Medical College, Albany Law School, Albany College of Pharmacy, and the College of St. Rose.

Economy

State government plays a large role in the economy of Albany. In addition, the city produces clothing, paper, machine tools, and electronics. The city was one of the first in the country to have a commercial airport, in 1919. It has also long served as an important shipping center because of its position on the Hudson River. In 1932 the Port of Albany was opened to oceangoing shipping.

History

In the 1600s Albany was one of the farthest points within the North American continent to which an ocean vessel could go. In 1609 the English explorer Henry Hudson sailed his ship the Half Moon up the river to the area where the city is now located.

In 1614 Dutch traders built Fort Nassau on Castle Island, which is now part of the Port of Albany. A group of European families built Fort Orange near the site in 1624 and began the first permanent settlement, called Beverwyck. In 1664 the English gained control of Fort Orange. They renamed the village Albany after the duke of Albany, who later became King James II. In 1754 the Albany Congress was held there to sort out problems between the colonists and the Native Americans and to make one of the first attempts to unite all the colonies under one government. The city became the official capital of the State of New York in 1797. Its growth was spurred in the early 19th century by the opening of the Erie Canal. The canal passed through Albany and allowed ship traffic to flow from Lake Erie to the Hudson River and the Atlantic Ocean. Population (1990 census), 101,082.