New York City

Five boroughs occupy islands, mainland sections, and waterfront zones where the Hudson River meets the Atlantic Ocean. Manhattan sits on a narrow landmass between two rivers, with blocks of masonry and glass towers rising in close formation. Central Park offers a wide green refuge amid urban density, while the Statue of Liberty stands on Liberty Island in the harbor, greeting arrivals from around the world.

Dutch merchants established a trading post on the southern tip of Manhattan in the early seventeenth century, naming it New Amsterdam. British forces took control and renamed the settlement after the Duke of York. The opening of the Erie Canal turned the harbor into a commercial gateway linking the Atlantic with inland waterways. For a short period in the late eighteenth century, the settlement served as the national capital before the government moved to Philadelphia and later Washington.

Neighborhoods reflect arrivals from every continent, where languages, faith traditions, and home cuisines still thrive in daily life. The theater district along Broadway hosts dozens of venues that have shaped American stage performances for generations. Museums across all five boroughs hold collections representing cultures from ancient eras to contemporary times, while many visitors also reflect on the immigrant legacy of Ellis Island, where millions of newcomers entered the United States and began their journeys into surrounding streets.

Three airports link the region to destinations worldwide, while the subway operates around the clock and reaches nearly every borough. The MetroCard provides access to both trains and buses, and ferry services offer alternative routes across waterways. Visitors should plan for comfortable footwear, as many neighborhoods are best explored on foot, and avoid peak commuting hours in the morning and late afternoon when platforms and trains fill quickly.

The geometric street grid imposed on Manhattan in the early nineteenth century ignored natural topography, prompting developers to level hills and fill wetlands as the plan unfolded. This rational layout turned farmland into a framework of numbered streets and avenues, creating a navigation system that remains in use today. The decision favored commercial efficiency over organic growth, shaping the character of the entire borough and influencing urban planning across the continent.

Location: New York

Inception: 1624

Elevation above the sea: 25 m

Shares border with: Westchester County, Union County, Hudson County, Nassau County, Bergen County

Address: New York, NY, USA

Website: https://nyc.gov

GPS coordinates: 40.71273,-74.00602

Latest update: December 2, 2025 14:26