New York lies between New England and the Great Lakes. It is bordered on the north by Canada, on the south by New Jersey and Pennsylvania.
Much larger than any of the New England states, New York’s geography is quite varied. In a sense, one can visit New England, Appalachia, and the Midwest without leaving New York.
New York is linked to New England by the New England Upland, which includes the Taconic Mountains in New York. The Adirondack Mountains are in northeastern New York. Hundreds of lakes, rivers, and waterfalls are found in this rugged region. The Adirondacks include New York’s highest peak, Mt. Marcy, at 5,344 feet. South of the Adirondacks are the Catskill Mountains.
The largest region in New York is the Appalachian or Allegheny Plateau. Much of this area consists of broad uplands separated by valleys that were cut deeper by glaciers. The deepest of these valleys are filled with lakes that suggest the fingers of an outstretched hand. Thus the name, Finger Lakes.
But not all of New York is mountainous. The Hudson-Mohawk Lowland is the only natural route across the Appalachians in the U.S. that can be navigated by ships. This lowland includes the beautiful Hudson Valley, which lies between the Catskills and Taconics. The Mohawk Valley is between the Adirondacks and the Appalachians.
The Great Lakes Plain is a flattish lowland region that covers much of western New York. As Ice Age glaciers retreated, they left many swamps, along with a few drumlins. These are longish piles of rocks that “point” in the direction the glaciers traveled. The Niagara River plunges over a limestone ridge between Lake Ontario and Lake Erie, forming the spectacular Niagara Falls.
Still another lowland area occurs along the Atlantic Coast. Here is found Long Island, the largest island off the East Coast of the United States, and Staten Island. They are part of the Atlantic Coastal Plain, which stretches south into Florida.
The Shock Doctrine: The Rise of Disaster Capitalism - 
