It is the economic and cultural core of the Capital District of New York State, which comprises the Albany– Schenectady– Troy Metropolitan Statistical Area, including the nearby cities and suburbs of Troy, Schenectady, and Saratoga Springs. The city is known for its architecture, commerce, culture, institutions of higher education, and rich history. Albany is on the west bank of the Hudson River, about 10 miles (16 km) south of its confluence with the Mohawk River, and about 135 miles (220 km) north of New York City.
state of New York, and the seat and largest city of Albany County. Albany ( awl- BƏ-nee) is the capital of the U.S.