Manhattan, Borough in New York City, United States
Manhattan stretches 21 kilometers along the Hudson River, built up with dense clusters of skyscrapers cut through by a grid of numbered streets and avenues. The terrain stays mostly flat, with Central Park forming a large green break in the middle of the development.
Dutch traders founded a trading post on the island in 1624, purchasing the land from the Lenape people for 60 guilders. British control from 1664 brought the name New York, and the city grew into America's main immigration gateway during the 19th century.
Multilingual neighborhoods define daily life on the island, where Chinatown, Little Italy, and other districts bring together languages and cuisines from around the world. Streets fill with commuters, tourists, and locals moving between offices, parks, and theaters throughout the day.
The street system divides into three main sections: Downtown, Midtown, and Uptown, with street orientation changing at Houston Street. Subway lines run the full length of the island from north to south, connecting the different sections.
Below the streets run abandoned subway stations and forgotten tunnels, some preserved from the early 20th century. Certain old track sections now serve as storage spaces or simply remain sealed and unused beneath the city.
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