Nassau County

Administrative district in southeastern New York State; area 743 sq km/287 sq mi, population (1990) 1,287,300. Situated at the western end of Long Island, next to the New York City borough of Queens, it is often considered the prototype of the US suburb.

Nassau County developed rapidly after World War II as a result of housing developments such as Levittown. In addition, the construction of a network of parkways helped make the region easily accessible. Today, almost the entire county is heavily built-up. Over 95% of Nassau's residents live in three towns, Hempstead, North Hempstead, and Oyster Bay. The North Shore, with its rolling hills and large estates, is less crowded; some of its villages retain a small-town atmosphere. On the South Shore, beaches and inlets attract numerous summer visitors to swim, sail, or fish. The county's economy is diversified, with many high-tech companies, defence contractors, and financial, insurance, and publishing concerns.