New York City

New York, often called New York City or NYC, is the most populous city in the United States. It is located at the southern tip of New York State on New York Harbor, one of the world's largest natural harbors. The city has five boroughs, each with its own county. It is a global center for finance, commerce, culture, technology, entertainment, media, academics, and scientific output. It is also home to the headquarters of the United Nations.

New York City is the most densely populated major city in the United States. Over 20 million people live in the area around the city. Many languages are spoken there, making it one of the most linguistically diverse cities in the world.

New York City began as Fort Amsterdam and a trading post founded on Manhattan Island by Dutch colonists around 1624. The settlement was named New Amsterdam and later came under English control in 1664. The modern city was formed in 1898 by joining its five boroughs: Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx, and Staten Island. Anchored by Wall Street in the Financial District, Manhattan, New York City is a leading financial center. It is home to the world's two largest stock exchanges: the New York Stock Exchange and Nasdaq.

Etymology

See also: Nicknames of New York City

In 1664, New York was named for the Duke of York. He later became King James II of England. His brother, King Charles II, gave him control of the land called New Netherland. This included the city of New Amsterdam. England seized it from the Dutch. The area became the Province of New York, which is now New York State.

History

Main articles: History of New York City and Timeline of New York City

Further information: History of Manhattan, Timeline of Brooklyn, Timeline of Queens, Timeline of the Bronx, and Timeline of Staten Island

Early history

Main article: History of New York City (prehistory–1664)

Long ago, the area of present-day New York City was home to the Algonquians, including the Lenape. Their homeland included places such as Staten Island, Manhattan, the Bronx, parts of Long Island (including Brooklyn and Queens), and the Lower Hudson Valley.

The first European to visit New York Harbor was Giovanni da Verrazzano in 1524. He claimed the area for France and named it Nouvelle Angoulême. Later, Henry Hudson found the harbor again while looking for a way to the Orient, claiming it for the Dutch East India Company.

Dutch rule

Main articles: New Amsterdam, Fort Amsterdam, and New Netherland

New Amsterdam was started in 1624, in what is now Lower Manhattan. The Dutch built Fort Amsterdam and grew the colony. In 1626, Peter Minuit bought the island of Manhattan from the Canarsie, a Lenape group.

English rule

Main articles: Province of New York and History of New York City (1665–1783)

In 1664, English soldiers took over New Amsterdam and renamed it New York after the Duke of York. The city became an important trading place and a center for trade in the 1700s.

American Revolution

Further information: American Revolution

The Battle of Long Island was a big battle during the American Revolutionary War, fought in Brooklyn. After the battle, British soldiers used New York as their main base in North America.

Post-revolutionary period and early 19th century

Main article: History of New York City (1784–1854)

New York City became the national capital in 1785 and hosted the first swearing-in of George Washington. The city's population grew very fast during the 1800s, changing with new people coming and new buildings going up.

American Civil War

During the American Civil War, New York had some troubles, including unrest in 1863.

Late 19th and early 20th century

Main articles: History of New York City (1898–1945) and History of New York City (1946–1977)

The Statue of Liberty was dedicated in 1886, welcoming many new people to America. The New York City Subway opened in 1904, helping people travel around the growing city. The city became a world leader in business and trade.

Late 20th and early 21st centuries

Main articles: History of New York City (1978–present) and September 11 attacks

The Stonewall riots in 1969 were an important moment for rights. New York City had economic troubles in the 1970s but improved in the 1980s. The city was hurt by the September 11 attacks in 2001, which led to rebuilding. The city also felt the effects of Hurricane Sandy in 2012 and the COVID-19 pandemic starting in 2020.

Geography

Main articles: Geography of New York City and Geography of New York–New Jersey Harbor Estuary

New York City is in the northeastern United States, in southeastern New York State. It is near the mouth of the Hudson River, which flows into a large natural harbor and then into the Atlantic Ocean. This location has helped the city become an important trading port. Most of the city is built on three islands: Long Island, Manhattan, and Staten Island.

Long ago, during a time called the Wisconsin glaciation, a huge ice sheet covered the area. As the ice moved and melted, it shaped the land, separating Long Island and Staten Island and leaving strong bedrock that supports many tall buildings in Manhattan.

Boroughs

Main articles: Boroughs of New York City and Neighborhoods in New York City

New York City has five areas called boroughs. Each borough is also a county in New York State.

• Manhattan is the smallest but most crowded borough. It has many famous skyscrapers and Central Park. It is the center of business and culture.
• Brooklyn is the most populous borough. It has diverse neighborhoods and parks like Prospect Park. It also has a growing technology scene.
• Queens is the largest borough and very diverse. It has major airports, sports stadiums, and the Flushing Meadows–Corona Park.
• The Bronx is where the Bronx Zoo and Yankee Stadium are located. It is also the birthplace of hip hop music.
• Staten Island is the most suburban borough, known for its parks and quiet neighborhoods.

Climate

Main article: Climate of New York City

New York City has a humid subtropical climate. Summers are hot and humid, while winters are cool and damp. The city gets plenty of sunshine and rain all year. Because of tall buildings and paved streets, nighttime temperatures can stay warmer than in surrounding areas.

Parks

New York City has many parks managed by different groups. Some parks are run by the National Park Service, while others are managed by the city. The city has over 28,000 acres of parkland. Central Park is the most visited. Other notable parks include Gateway National Recreation Area and Pelham Bay Park.

Demographics

Main articles: Demographics of New York City and Demographic history of New York City

New York City is the biggest city in the United States, with over 8.8 million people living there. It is very crowded, more so than any other big city in the country. The city has many different kinds of people, including many from other countries. Over 800 languages are spoken there!

Between 2010 and 2020, New York City grew by almost 630,000 people. It is very crowded, with about 27,700 people living in every square mile. Most people live in the boroughs of Brooklyn and Queens. The city is also a popular place for new immigrants to the United States and for young people starting their careers.

Economy

Main article: Economy of New York City

New York City is a major center for business and commerce, often called the "Capital of the World." It has a very large economy. The city is important for banking, finance, health care, and many other industries. Many big companies have their main offices in New York City.

The city is especially known for its financial sector, with Wall Street being a key part of this. The New York Stock Exchange and Nasdaq are both located in New York. The technology sector is also growing, with many companies working in areas like artificial intelligence and biotechnology. New York City's real estate is very valuable. Tourism is very important to the city, with millions of visitors each year coming to see famous places like the Statue of Liberty and Central Park. The city is also a big center for media and entertainment.

Education

Main article: Education in New York City

New York City has the biggest school system in the United States. Over 1.1 million students go to about 1,800 schools. These schools are both public schools, run by the New York City Department of Education, and many private schools.

The city is also a big place for college and university students. It has more than 120 colleges and universities. The City University of New York (CUNY) system helps nearly 250,000 students. Famous universities such as Columbia University and New York University are here, making New York City a great place for learning and research.

Culture

Main article: Culture of New York City

New York City is often where stories, movies, and TV shows are set. It is called the cultural capital of the world. The city helped start many cultural movements, like the Harlem Renaissance in art and writing, abstract expressionism in painting, and music styles like hip-hop, punk, jazz, and disco.

People in New York City are known for moving quickly, which gave us the term "New York minute." The city's people are strong and able to handle challenges.

Theater

Further information: Broadway theatre and Theater District, Manhattan

Manhattan is the center of American theater. It has Broadway, off-Broadway, and off-off-Broadway theaters. Many famous actors began their careers in New York.

Broadway theatre is a top form of English-language theatre. It is named after the street Broadway that runs through Times Square, often called "The Great White Way."

Forty-one theaters in Midtown Manhattan with at least 500 seats are called Broadway theaters. The Tony Awards honor the best in Broadway theatre.

Accent and dialect

The New York area has a special way of speaking, called the New York dialect or "Brooklynese." It is known for talking quickly and saying words in a unique way, like "New Yawk" instead of "New York." This accent is common among middle- and working-class New Yorkers and has changed with new people moving to the city.

Architecture

Main article: Architecture of New York City

Further information: List of buildings, sites, and monuments in New York City and List of tallest buildings in New York City

New York has many famous buildings from different times, from the old Dutch Colonial Pieter Claesen Wyckoff House to the modern One World Trade Center. Manhattan's skyline, with its tall buildings, is a well-known symbol of the city.

The city's neighborhoods often have pretty brownstone houses and townhouses, built when the city was growing fast from 1870 to 1930. Other areas have homes in styles like Tudor Revival and Victorian.

Arts

Further information: List of museums and cultural institutions in New York City and Music of New York City

Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts on the Upper West Side of Manhattan is home to important groups like the Metropolitan Opera, New York City Ballet, and Juilliard School. The city has over 2,000 arts groups and more than 500 art galleries.

Museum Mile on Fifth Avenue has nine famous museums, such as the Guggenheim and the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the largest art museum in the Americas. The Met gets millions of visitors each year and has a huge collection of art from around the world.

Cuisine

Main articles: Cuisine of New York City, List of restaurants in New York City, and List of Michelin-starred restaurants in New York City

New York City's food comes from many places because of its history of people coming from all over. Popular foods include bagels, pizza, hot dogs, and falafel. The city has thousands of restaurants and food stands, offering foods from many countries.

Fashion

Further information: New York Fashion Week and Met Gala

New York City is a world fashion capital. Many people work in the fashion industry here. New York Fashion Week is a big event where designers show their new clothes. The fashion area in Midtown Manhattan is around Seventh Avenue, known as "Fashion Avenue."

Parades

Further information: List of parades in New York City

New York City is famous for its street parades, especially in Manhattan. The Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade is the world's largest parade, starting in Central Park and marching down to Macy's Herald Square. Other parades include the New York City St. Patrick's Day Parade, the NYC LGBT Pride March, and the Greenwich Village Halloween Parade.

Sports

Main articles: Sports in the New York metropolitan area and Traditional games of New York City

New York City has many professional sports teams. The city has teams in baseball, basketball, hockey, football, and soccer. Famous places to watch games include Citi Field, Yankee Stadium, Madison Square Garden, and Barclays Center.

The city hosted the 1984 Summer Paralympics and the 1998 Goodwill Games. New York City will host games for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, with the final at MetLife Stadium.

The US Open tennis tournament is held in Flushing Meadows–Corona Park, and the New York City Marathon is the world's largest race, with runners from everywhere. Other events include the Millrose Games track meet and boxing at Madison Square Garden.

Human resources

New York City is an important place for healthcare, with many hospitals and medical schools. It has over 750,000 people working to help others stay healthy. The city’s public hospitals, run by NYC Health + Hospitals, care for millions of people each year, including those without insurance. The most famous public hospital is Bellevue Hospital, which has helped many important people.

The New York Police Department is the largest police force in the United States. Crime in the city has gone down a lot since the 1990s. The city also has strong rules about guns. The Fire Department of New York works to keep the city safe from fires and other emergencies, helping people in all kinds of buildings and places, including the subway.

Transportation

Main article: Transportation in New York City

New York City has many ways to get around, such as buses, subways, trains, and airplanes. The city’s public transportation is used by millions of people every day. The New York City Subway is one of the biggest subway systems in the world, with many stations and lines that run almost all day and night.

The city also has many buses, including a large bus fleet that runs all day and night. There are also special buses that go between cities, like the Port Authority Bus Terminal, which is the busiest bus station in the world. For traveling far away, there are three major airports: John F. Kennedy International Airport, Newark Liberty International Airport, and LaGuardia Airport. These airports welcome millions of passengers each year.

Government and politics

Main articles: Government of New York City, Politics of New York City, and Elections in New York City

New York City has a mayor and a council that help run the city. The mayor and council members each serve for four years and can only serve two times in a row. The City Council has 51 members. Each member represents a different part of the city.

The city’s mayor is Zohran Mamdani, a Democrat who was elected in 2025. Most public offices in the city are held by Democrats. The city has many support and services from local and national governments.

Main article: List of sister cities of New York City

Notable people

Main article: List of people from New York City

New York City has been home to many famous people. The city has helped create leaders, artists, scientists, and athletes. From actors and musicians to authors and inventors, NYC draws talented people from everywhere.