Capital District (New York)

Capital District
Capital Region
Region
Etymology: Region of the capital of the state of New York
Map
Albany–Schenectady, NY CSA
Country United States
State New York
CitiesAlbany, Amsterdam, Cohoes, Glens Falls, Gloversville, Hudson, Johnstown, Mechanicville, Rensselaer, Saratoga Springs, Schenectady, Troy, Watervliet
CountiesAlbany, Columbia, Fulton, Greene, Montgomery, Rensselaer, Saratoga, Schenectady, Schoharie, Warren, Washington
Area
 • Total18,720 km2 (7,228 sq mi)
Population
 (2020)
 • Total1,238,717
 • Density66/km2 (170/sq mi)
Time zoneUTC−5 (EST)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−4 (Eastern Daylight Time)
Area code518, 838
WebsiteCapital District Regional Planning Commission
Capital District Transportation Committee

The Capital District, also known as the Capital Region, is the metropolitan area surrounding Albany, the capital of the U.S. state of New York. The Capital District was first settled by the Dutch in the early 17th century and came under English control in 1664. Albany has been the permanent capital of the state of New York since 1797. The Capital District is notable for many historical events that predate the independence of the United States, including the Albany Plan of Union and the Battles of Saratoga.