New York is a state located in the Northeastern United States. New York was one of the original Thirteen Colonies that formed the United States. With an estimated 20 million residents in 2019, it is the fourth most populous state. In order to distinguish the state from its city with the same name, it is sometimes referred to as New York State (NYS).
Two-thirds of the state's population lives in the New York metropolitan area (nearly 40% on Long Island). The state and city were both named for the 17th-century Duke of York, the future King James II of England. With an estimated population of 8.34 million in 2019, New York City is the most populous city in the United States and the premier gateway for immigration to the United States. The New York metropolitan area is one of the most populous in the world.