Syracuse

Formally established in 1820, Syracuse was named after the classical Greek city of Syracuse (Siracusa in Italian), located on the eastern coast of the Italian island of Sicily, for its similar natural features. Adjacent brine springs made the city a major producer of commercial salt into the late 19th century, earning the nickname "The Salt City"; it subsequently became a major industrial center until the mid-20th century, and has since become a hub for higher education, research, and services.

Syracuse has historically functioned as a major crossroads in the state, beginning in the 1820s with the Erie Canal, which runs through Clinton Square, then for the New York Central Railroad network established in the mid 19th century. Today, the city is at the interchange of I-81 and I-90, and its airport is the largest in Central New York, serving over one million inhabitants.

Syracuse is the economic and educational center of Central New York.