Syracuse is located in the heart of New York State. It was once the capital of the powerful Iroquois Confederacy under Chief Hiawatha, Syracuse lies near Onondaga Lake in the famed Finger Lakes region. It has earned the nickname "Crossroads of New York State" because of its well developed transportation network.  An important industrial and commercial hub, Syracuse also boasts an excellent education and cultural and recreational opportunities. Massive urban renewal programs have transformed the downtown area into a bustling commercial and residential center.

The terrain consists of rolling hills, flat plains, lakes and streams. The city itself lies on a rise at the south end of Onondaga Lake. During the nineteenth century, Syracuse was important for its location as a port at the junction of the Oswego and Erie canals. Syracuse enjoys four distinct seasons with marked seasonal changes. Winters remain cold because of the cold air masses from the Great Lakes. During the summer and parts of spring and autumn, temperatures rise rapidly in the daytime and fall rapidly after sunset, so the nights are relatively cool.

Area: 25 square miles (2000)

Elevation: 414 feet above sea level

Latitude: 43.05 N

Longitude: 76.14 W

Average Temperatures: January, 24° F; July, 71° F; annual average, 47.4° F

Average Annual Precipitation: 36 inches total; 114 inches snowfall

Population: 141,683 as on 2005

Attractions

• Columbus Circle
• Syracuse Urban Cultural Park
• Rosamond Gifford Zoo
• Onondaga Park
• Milton J. Rubenstein Museum of Science and Technology (MOST)

Festivals

• New York State Fair
• The Syracuse Polish Festival
• M & T Jazz Fest