The 14 county ANCA region is a large area, being larger in square miles than 10 individual states, and roughly the size of Vermont and New Hampshire combined. With a total population of about 1.2 million persons, it has twice the population of Vermont, and is similar in population size to New Hampshire and to Maine. Maps 2-1 and 2-2 illustrate the location of the region and display the 14 counties that comprise it, while Table 1 highlights major geographic information.

Predominately a rural region, the area has outstanding natural resource features, being well-endowed with water, forests, and mountain views. Water resources are especially attractive to bicyclists: they offer pleasant views during a ride, often provide a breeze on a hot day, and make great rest stops for swimming. The region is almost surrounded by water, bordered to the north by the St. Lawrence River, to the East by Lake Ontario, and along the majority of the eastern side lies Lake Champlain, 110 miles in length.

The region contains the largest wilderness areas east of the Mississippi as well as the Adirondack Park, the largest state park in the lower 48 states. The region contains the highest peak in the State of New York, Mt. Marcy at 5,344 feet. In addition to bicycling, there are ample opportunities for hiking, canoeing, rock climbing, kayaking and other outdoor activities. The majority of the region is sparsely settled, with many quiet country roads passing through small towns and villages. The rich historical and cultural heritage is based, in part, on the traditional economies of farming, lumbering and mining.

The size of the region, its predominantly rural nature, and its diversity all point to the importance of a regional planning effort. No area within the region is able to effectively promote to a single segment of the tourism market, such as bicyclists. More importantly, individual areas limit themselves if they create bicycle routes in a vacuum; almost all bicycle routes will arrive, and lead, to somewhere else. Therefore, a regional planning effort for bicycling is the most effective means for developing facilities that will appeal to the widest range of bicyclists, and for developing bicycle promotion materials for the region.