Long Island, largest island in the continental United States, located in southeastern New York. It thrusts eastward from New York Bay to a point abreast of the Connecticut-Rhode Island state line, with Long Island Sound to the north and the Atlantic Ocean to the south and east. The island’s eastern end is split by Peconic Bay to form two narrow peninsulas, or forks. The northern fork is 43 km (27 mi) long and ends at Orient Point, and the southern fork is 68 km (42 mi) long, ending at Montauk Point.

The north shore of the island is hilly and deeply indented. On the south shore the ocean breaks on a narrow sandbar, backed by Great South Bay, Moriches Bay, and Shinnecock Bay. These bays are connected to the ocean through occasional breaks, or channels, in the protective sandbar. This ribbon of sand widens at various points to form virtual islands fronting the open sea. These islands have developed into a series of bathing beaches and summer colonies, including the Fire Island National Seashore.

With such communities as Amagansett, Bridgehampton, East Hampton, Hampton Bays, Quogue, Sag Harbor, and Westhampton Beach; Long Island is a recreation and resort area for New York City. Numerous state parks, beaches, golf courses, fishing grounds, yacht clubs, and other resort facilities cater to the needs of both suburbanites and city dwellers. Many beautiful estates are located on the island, particularly at Southampton and along the north shore.

Amagansett was a major home base for whaling captains, including the legendary "Capt. Josh" Edwards. The last whale was taken off Amagansett in 1907. Menhaden, or mossbunker, fishing - first with shore nets and later with huge purse seines dropped from boats - was important for Amagansett until recent years.

Bridgehampton was known as the summer place to be and be seen as early as the late 1800s. Woodrow Wilson was there in 1898, vacationing with his family at the old Topping boarding house, then on Main Street in Sagaponack. In 1916, Mary Pickford filmed a movie, "Huldah of Holland," in a mock Dutch village with the Hayground windmill being used as a backdrop. Today, Peter Jennings and other modern-day celebrities have homes in Bridgehampton.

East Hampton, village and summer resort in southeastern New York. East Hampton is in Suffolk County, on the east end of Long Island, 164 km (102 mi) from New York City. The town’s attractions include The Clinton Academy, built in 1784, which is now a museum, and Guild Hall, which houses the John Drew Theater. East Hampton also features the birthplace of John Howard Payne, author of the song "Home, Sweet Home." The town was settled in 1648.

Hampton Bays is located on the south shore of eastern Long Island, New York. It is nestled between the Atlantic Ocean, Shinnecock and Peconic Bays.

Sag Harbor is located in Suffolk County between the North and South Forks of Long Island on Noyack Bay along Highway 114 near Gardiners Bay and Great Peconic Bay in the Southern Region of the state. Sag Harbor was one of the first ports of entry sanctioned by Congress.

Southampton, village, Suffolk County, on the southern shore of Long Island on the Atlantic Ocean; settled 1640, incorporated 1894. The hamlet of East Quogue in the Town of Southampton, maintains charming small town pride, with beautiful historic homes, main street shops, churches, ocean beaches.

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