Syracuse: Introduction

Syracuse, once the capital of the powerful Iroquois Confederacy under Chief Hiawatha, is located in the heart of New York State. The city's strategic central location and well developed transportation network have earned it the nickname "Crossroads of New York State." An important industrial and commercial hub, Syracuse also boasts an excellent education network and cultural and recreational opportunities to rival any major city. Massive urban renewal programs begun in the 1960s have transformed the downtown area into a bustling commercial and residential center. Syracuse lies near Onondaga Lake in the famed Finger Lakes region; the Iroquois believed that the lakes were formed when the Great Spirit placed his hand on some of the most beautiful land ever created.