Ulster County, New York

Ulster County is a county located in the state of New York, USA. It sits in the state's Mid-Hudson Region of the Hudson Valley. As of the 2000 census, the population is 177,749. However, recent population estimates completed by the United States Census Bureau for the 12-month period ending July 1 (2007) are at 181,860 residents. It is the northernmost county and largest county (by land area) in the New York Metropolitan Area. The county seat and only large city is Kingston. The county is named for the Irish province of Ulster, then an earldom of the Duke of York (later James II).
History
In 1683, the Province of New York established its first twelve counties. Ulster County was one of them. Its boundaries at that time included the present Sullivan County, and portions of the present Delaware and Greene Counties.

In 1777, the capital of New York State (the first state capital of independent New York) was established at Kingston, though it was subsequently moved when the British burned that city.

In 1797, portions of Otsego and Ulster Counties were split off to create Delaware County.

In 1800, portions of Albany and Ulster Counties were split off to create Greene County.

In 1809, Sullivan County was split off from Ulster County.

 Geography
Ulster County is in the southeast part of New York State, south of Albany, immediately west of the Hudson River. Much of the county is within the Catskill Mountains and the Shawangunk Ridge. Ulster County also has Sam's Point Preserve, which includes rare dwarf pine trees and VerKeerderkill falls.

The highest point is Slide Mountain, at approximately 4,180 feet (1,274 m) above sea level. The lowest point is sea level along the Hudson River.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 1,161 square miles (3,006 km²), of which, 1,126 square miles (2,918 km²) of it is land and 34 square miles (89 km²) of it is water. The total area is 2.95% water.

The New York State Thruway Interstate 87 runs north-south through the county, carrying a lot of traffic to and from New York City and its surroundings.

 Cities, Towns, and Villages

Denning (town)
Ellenville (village in Wawarsing)
Esopus (town)
Gardiner (town)
Hardenburgh (town)
Hurley (town)
Kingston (city)
Kingston (town)
Lloyd (town)
Marbletown (town)
Marlborough (town)
New Paltz (town)
New Paltz (village)
Olive (town)
Plattekill (town)
Rochester (town)
Rosendale (town)
Saugerties (town)
Saugerties (village)
Shandaken (town)
Shawangunk (town)
Ulster (town)
Wawarsing (town)
Woodstock (town)
There are several hamlets located within each town.

 Adjacent counties

Northwest: Delaware County North: Greene County Northeast: Columbia County
  Ulster County East: Hudson River
Southwest: Sullivan County South: Orange County Southeast: Dutchess County
 
Ulster County contains a large part of Catskill Park and the Catskill Forest Preserve. The former Delaware and Hudson Canal brought Pennsylvania coal to Kingston on the Hudson. Former Orleans band member John Hall served in the Ulster County legislature before moving to the 19th Congressional District to run for Congress.

The former Ulster and Delaware Railroad runs through Ulster County. There are three railroad attractions in the county on this corridor: Trolley Museum of New York, Catskill Mountain Railroad, and Empire State Railway Museum.

The Ulster County Fair has been held in New Paltz for many years and has been described as The Best Six Days of Summer.

Trivia
The county's total area (1,161 square miles) makes it almost as large as Rhode Island (1,214 square miles