Editing Montgomery County, New York (section)

===Adjacent counties===
* [[Fulton County, New York|Fulton County]] - north
* [[Saratoga County, New York|Saratoga County]] - east
* [[Schenectady County, New York|Schenectady County]] - east
* [[Schoharie County, New York|Schoharie County]] - south
* [[Otsego County, New York|Otsego County]] - southwest
* [[Herkimer County, New York|Herkimer County]] - west

The [[Erie Canal]] runs through Montgomery County parallel to the Mohawk River, connecting to the Wood River to the west, which leads to [[Lake Ontario]]. Overall, the canal connected Great Lakes shipping with the Hudson River and the port of New York on the Atlantic Ocean. Several towns and villages developed along the canal, as it carried much trade and passenger traffic during its peak years. After the [[railroad]] was built through the state, along the same river plain, it superseded the canal, which was filled in some areas.

At the time of the canal's construction, Montgomery County was the only place where there was a break in the Appalachian Mountains. Called 'The Noses' because of canal construction, it became known as "the gateway to the West". In the mid-twentieth century, the [[NYS Thruway]] was constructed parallel to the former east–west routes of the canal and railroad. Today the Erie Canal and its lock system is used primarily for recreational boat use among locals and tourists.

Montgomery County is located in the heart of the state's [[Mohawk Valley]] region. Foothills of the [[Catskill Mountains]] dot the southern part of the county, while foothills of the [[Adirondack Mountains]] dot the north.