Albany County’s northern border is met with the Mohawk River, at its junction with the Hudson River, which is on the east. The population is approximately 300,000. The largest city is Albany, the state capital of New York. Albany County is comprised of 530 square miles since March 3, 1888. The county is named for the Duke of York and Albany, who became James II of England (James VII of Scotland). Albany is known for its rich history, commerce, culture, architecture, and higher education institutions. Albany constitutes the economic and cultural core of the Capital District of New York State, which comprises the nearby cities and suburbs of Troy, Schenectady, and Saratoga Springs. The Capital District is the third-most populous metropolitan region in the state. The population of Albany is almost 98,000, making it the sixth-largest city in New York. While there are no Fortune 500 companies headquartered in Albany, NY, many well-known businesses have significant operations in the region. In Albany, you’ll find General Electric and Price Chopper each employ almost 7000 people, while St. Peter’s Health employs more than 9000 New Yorkers. Albany’s central location gives residents easy access to the Hudson Valley, the Adirondack Mountains, the Finger Lakes, and the Berkshire Mountains.