Erie County, County in western New York, United States
Erie County sits in western New York State, bordered by Lake Erie to the west and the Niagara River to the north. The terrain shifts from flat lakefront areas to gently rolling hills, with shoreline stretching for miles and small harbors tucked into bays along the water.
The area was carved out of Albany County in 1821 as New York State reorganized its administration into smaller units. The boundaries followed waterways and the needs of rural communities forming along trade routes from Lake Erie into the interior.
The county maintains a multilingual population with English speakers representing 90 percent, Spanish 3 percent, and Polish, Chinese, and Italian communities.
Several major roads cross the area and link towns and villages, making most places accessible by car. Along the shore, you can move between public parks and small beaches that offer different options depending on the season.
The lake shoreline changes dramatically with the weather and can appear almost glassy on calm days, while winter storms pile up ice sheets. Many visitors only notice how much the wind off the water affects perceived temperature once they step outside.
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