It is common knowledge that Alaska and the US West Coast touch the Pacific, while the East Coast touches the Atlantic. However, few people realize that only one state touches both the Atlantic Ocean and a Great Lake: New York. New York City sits on the Atlantic, while the northern part of the state borders both Lake Erie and Lake Ontario. This unique positioning allowed for the construction of the Erie Canal in 1825, which connected the Atlantic Ocean to the Great Lakes system, effectively turning the interior of the North American continent into an accessible trade zone. This geographical advantage was a primary reason for New York City's rise as the world's leading commercial hub.