River, New York, U.S. Originating in the Adirondack Mountains and flowing for about 315 mi (507 km) to New York City , it was named for Henry Hudson , who explored it in 1609.
Dutch settlement of the Hudson valley began in 1629. The river became a strategic waterway during the American Revolution and was the scene of many battles. Linked by canals with the Great Lakes and with the Delaware River and lower St. Lawrence River valleys, the Hudson is now a major commercial route; its southern end forms the New YorkNew Jersey boundary.