What is the capital of the U.S. state of New York?

The capital of the U.S. state of New York is Albany. It is located on the west bank of the Hudson River in eastern New York, roughly south of the river’s confluence with the Mohawk River.

Albany has been a major political and commercial center for centuries. Dutch settlers established Fort Nassau in the area in 1614, followed by Fort Orange in 1624. The English took control in 1664, and the settlement was renamed Albany in honor of the Duke of Albany, a Scottish title associated with the future King James II.

Albany has been the seat of Albany County since 1683 and became New York’s capital in 1797. The city hosts the New York State Capitol and remains the heart of the Capital District. New York City is the state’s largest and most famous city, but it is not the state capital; Rochester and Buffalo are also important cities without that governmental role.