The county is named for the St. Lawrence River, which in turn was named in honor of the Catholic saint on whose birthday the river was discovered. The St. Lawrence River, the river's valley, and the foothills of the Adirondack Mountains define St. Lawrence County's landscape. This vast area is so large that it is included in two of New York State's eleven regions, the Thousand Islands Seaway and the Adirondack Region.

Morristown and Hammond serve as the northern gateway to the Thousand Islands Seaway. Characterized by river towns rich with charming fishing villages, cultural museums and historical lighthouses, the Seaway is home to such attractions as the Seaway Trail Discovery Center, Boldt Castle and the Aqua Zoo. The Adirondacks region offers six million acres of natural paradise with year round activities that include hunting, fishing, whitewater rafting, canoeing, snowmobiling, skiing and bird watching. The Adirondack's stunning beauty and array of recreational activities draw city-dwellers to the area year round.

Historically, the St. Lawrence workforce focused primarily on agriculture, mining and forestry. Products derived from those industries are still important today; however, retail and tourism have become major contributors to the area's economy. St. Lawrence's thriving economy has consistently drawn new businesses to the county. The Acco Corporation, an office supply products company based in Australia, has a major distribution center located in Ogdensburg. The Cives Steel Company is a structural steel distributor widely known throughout the northeastern United States. It has a distribution facility located in the Village of Gouverneur. The St. Lawrence area is also renowned for its dairy and maple syrup products.

Prime location is a major attraction to St. Lawrence County and water is the common thread that weaves the county together. Most communities within the county are located along one of the many rivers that drain the Adirondack Mountains. Ogdensburg, ("Maple City"), and Massena are both located directly along the banks of the St. Lawrence River. Canton, the seat of the county, is approximately twenty-five miles away. The scenic St. Lawrence River defines the border between St. Lawrence County and Ontario, Canada's capital city.

St. Lawrence County offers the community a wide variety of quality public and private schools, as well as a number of outstanding higher learning facilities. These include SUNY Canton, St. Lawrence University in Canton, SUNY Potsdam, Clarkson University in Potsdam and the New York State Ranger School in Wanakena.

St. Lawrence County, New York provides some of the most exciting recreational activities from the Thousand Islands Seaway to the Adirondack Mountains. St. Lawrence County offers breathtaking beauty, thriving economy, and an excellent quality of life.