East River, Tidal strait in New York City, United States.
The East River is a tidal waterway in New York City, United States, separating Manhattan from Brooklyn and Queens. The channel links Upper New York Bay in the south with Long Island Sound in the north and is crossed by several bridges.
The waterway served as a trade route for Dutch and later British settlers from the early 1600s. In the 19th century it became a main artery between the growing boroughs until subway and bridge construction gradually replaced some ferry links.
The name comes from the Dutch colonial period, when settlers called the waterway after its position east of Manhattan. Along the shores, many 20th-century industrial buildings have been converted into residential neighborhoods and parks where locals now jog and stroll.
The waterway is best viewed from the waterfront paths that run along both shores and give access to public parks. Ferries run regularly between boroughs and offer a perspective from the water.
The current reverses direction four times each day because tides from Long Island Sound and New York Bay act on the strait simultaneously. In some spots the flow reaches over 4 mph (7 km/h) and creates small eddies around bridge supports.
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