New York City (officially The City of New York) is the largest city in the state of New York and the most populous city in the United States. The center of the New York metropolitan area, it ranks among the largest urban areas in the world. For more than a century, it has been one of the world's leading business, financial and cultural centers and its influence in politics, education, entertainment, sports, media, fashion and the arts all contribute to its status as one of the alpha world cities. As the home of the United Nations, the city is a hub for international diplomacy. New York City was the capital of the United States until 1790.