Long Island, NY is the biggest island in the continental United States. About 8 million people live there. The majority live in the western part, in Brooklyn and Queens which are parts of New York City. The other people live in two counties. Nassau County is in the central area, and Suffolk County fills approximately the eastern half. To the north is Long Island Sound and to the south is the Atlantic Ocean. There are almost 200 Long Island Towns on Long Island, NY. While the areas closest to New York City are urban with a high population density, the central and eastern parts of Long Island are more rural with a lower population density.