According to INDEXDOTCOM, New York is located in the northeastern United States, bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east, and Canada to the north. It is home to a variety of different geographies, including mountains, valleys, rivers, lakes, forests and coastal plains. The Hudson River runs along its eastern border with New Jersey. The Adirondack Mountains are located in upstate New York. The Catskill Mountains are located further north of the Adirondacks. Lake Ontario lies at the northern border of New York state. Lake Champlain lies at the northern end of the state near Canada. Finally, Long Island is home to many beaches along its shoreline. According to SIMPLYYELLOWPAGES, New York is home to some of the most prestigious and highly ranked universities in the world. These include Columbia University, Cornell University, New York University, and the University of Rochester. These universities offer a wide range of academic programs ranging from traditional liberal arts and sciences to professional disciplines such as medicine, law, engineering, business, and finance. Many of these universities have world-renowned research centers and laboratories that allow students to explore cutting-edge topics in their field. Additionally, all these universities are located in vibrant cities with plenty of cultural attractions and activities for students to enjoy.