Albany is the state capital of New York. Founded by Dutch settlers in 1624, it was originally known as Fort Orange, with the attached civilian settlement called Beverwyck. The name was changed to Rensselaerswyck after a Dutch merchant, van Rensselaer, and after the area came under English rule in 1664 was renamed Albany after the Duke of York and Albany (later King James II).
Albany officially became New York's capital in 1797, and the state capitol building was completed in 1899.
In 2010 Forbes rated Albany ninth in the top 10 places to raise a family.[1]
Categories: [New York Cities and Towns] [US State Capitals]