Long Island is an expansive, densely populated island located in the southeastern part of the U.S. state of New York. It stretches eastward from New York Harbor to Montauk Point. The island is renowned for its beautiful beaches, towns as well as residential areas.
The island is divided into four counties, named Queens, Kings (Brooklyn), Nassau, and Suffolk. Queens and Kings are also boroughs of New York City. Nassau and Suffolk counties are mainly suburban, whereas Brooklyn and Queens are more urban.
Long Island offers a rich blend of history and modern living. It is known for its vineyards and wineries, and farm-to-table food culture along the North Fork, affluent summer communities in the Hamptons on the South Fork, and Jones Beach State Park.
Travelers will also find popular destinations like Fire Island, a barrier island and beach resort, and the historic Montauk Point Lighthouse on the easternmost tip of the island.
The island also boasts of numerous institutions of higher learning including the State University of New York at Stony Brook, Hofstra University, and Long Island University.
Long Island played a significant role in aviation history, with the Island's Hempstead Plains serving as the location of the historic flight of Charles Lindbergh.
Additionally, the island is known for its role in marine biology and research with institutions such as Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory and the Marine Sciences Research Center at Stony Brook. This diverse island provides a plethora of opportunities for work and recreation while combining big city living with the charm of little towns.
The climate of Long Island is a humid subtropical climate, with hot, humid summers and cold winters, but the Atlantic Ocean helps bring afternoon sea breezes that temper the heat in the warmer months and limit the severity of the winter weather.
