New York City

by The Linguist

 

New York City, New York

With a population of over 8.5 million residents, New York City is the most populous city in the United States. Nicknamed “The Big Apple,” it is a global hub for culture, commerce, arts, and entertainment. New York City is made up of 5 boroughs: The Bronx, Brooklyn, Manhattan, Queens, and Staten Island.

History

New York City was founded in 1624 as a trading post by colonists of the Dutch Republic. It was named New Amsterdam at the time. In 1664, the city came under English control and was renamed New York after the Duke of York. Throughout the 18th and 19th centuries, the city rapidly expanded and became a global economic powerhouse. Major waves of immigration starting in the 1840s led to rapid population growth and establishment of many distinct ethnic enclaves throughout the city’s boroughs.

Some key events in New York City’s history include:

  • 1776 – The Battle of Long Island, a major battle of the American Revolutionary War, was fought in Brooklyn.
  • 1789 – New York City became the first national capital of the United States.
  • 1892 – Ellis Island opened and became a major entry point for immigrants to the United States.
  • 1898 – The modern City of New York was formed with the consolidation of Brooklyn, Manhattan, Queens, the Bronx, and Staten Island.
  • 1929 – The Wall Street Crash of 1929, a major factor in causing the Great Depression, originated in New York City.
  • 2001 – The September 11 attacks saw two hijacked planes crash into the original World Trade Center towers, destroying the complex.
  • 2012 – Hurricane Sandy caused massive flooding and damage in New York City and the surrounding region.

To learn more about the rich history of New York City, visit the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture at the New York Public Library or the Museum of the City of New York.

Economy

New York City has a diversified economy with major sectors in finance, healthcare, real estate, technology, tourism, education, arts and entertainment, and more. Many major corporations are headquartered in New York City, including Verizon, JP Morgan Chase, Citigroup, MetLife, Pfizer, and others. The New York Stock Exchange on Wall Street is the largest stock exchange in the world.

Key economic facts about New York City:

  • GDP: $1.5 trillion (highest of any U.S. city)
  • Median Household Income: $64,993
  • Unemployment Rate: 5.0% (as of Dec 2022)
  • Top Industries by Employment:
    • Professional and Business Services
    • Education and Healthcare
    • Trade, Transportation, Utilities
    • Leisure and Hospitality

To learn more about economic development and job opportunities in New York City, visit the New York City Economic Development Corporation website.

Attractions and Landmarks

As one of the top tourist destinations in the world, New York City has countless attractions and landmarks to see. Iconic sites include:

  • Statue of Liberty – Located on Liberty Island, the 305-foot statue symbolizes freedom. 40°41’21.16″N 74° 2’40.19″W
  • Empire State Building – This 102-story Art Deco skyscraper offers panoramic city views from its observation decks. 40°44’54.36″N 73°59’8.36″W
  • Times Square – The bright lights and giant billboards of this major commercial intersection epitomize New York City. 40°45’48.9″N 73°59’9.3″W
  • Central Park – This huge urban park offers recreation, nature trails, sports fields, a zoo, and performance venues. 40°46’55.67″N 73°58’7.83″W
  • 9/11 Memorial and Museum – Commemorates the September 11 attacks at the former World Trade Center site. 40°42’41.35″N 74° 0’48.43″W
  • Broadway Theater District – Home to world-famous plays, musicals, and performances. 40°45’32.51″N 73°59’8.7″W
  • Rockefeller Center – This complex of Art Deco buildings features the iconic 30 Rockefeller Plaza and an ice skating rink. 40°45’46.78″N 73°58’47.18″W

For more attractions and things to do, visit NYCGo.com, the official destination marketing organization for New York City.

Transportation

New York City has one of the most extensive public transportation systems in the world, including:

  • Subway – Operated by the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA), the subway system is the largest in the world with 472 stations across 36 lines. Fare is $2.75 per ride.
  • Buses – Over 5,700 buses operated by the MTA provide service across the 5 boroughs. Fare is $2.75 per ride.
  • Commuter Rail – The MTA operates the Long Island Rail Road, Metro-North Railroad, and Staten Island Railway for commuters from the metro area.
  • Ferries – Ferry services connect Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, and Staten Island. Popular routes include Staten Island Ferry and NYC Ferry.
  • Taxis – Iconic yellow cabs provide street hail service in Manhattan and the outer boroughs. Fare is metered based on distance.
  • Rideshare – Services like Uber and Lyft operate throughout New York City.

The MTA website provides full details on public transportation options in New York City.

Sports Teams

New York City is home to several major professional sports teams across the major leagues, including:

  • New York Yankees – The iconic Bronx-based MLB baseball team with 27 World Series titles. Home stadium is Yankee Stadium. Website: https://www.mlb.com/yankees
  • New York Mets – NYC’s National League baseball team that plays at Citi Field in Queens. Website: https://www.mlb.com/mets/
  • New York Knicks – This popular NBA basketball team plays their home games at Madison Square Garden in Manhattan. Website: https://www.nba.com/knicks/
  • Brooklyn Nets – NYC’s other NBA team plays at Barclays Center in Brooklyn. Website: https://www.nba.com/nets/
  • New York Giants – Based in East Rutherford, NJ, the NFL’s Giants have won 4 Super Bowls. Website: https://www.giants.com/
  • New York Jets – Sharing MetLife Stadium with the Giants, the Jets are an NFL football team founded in 1959. Website: https://www.newyorkjets.com/

Check each team’s website for schedules, tickets, and more information.

Government

New York City government is headed by the Mayor, currently Eric Adams. The city has a strong mayor-council system. There are 51 Council members representing each of the city’s districts. Contact information:
New York City Hall 260 Broadway New York, NY 10007 (212) 788-1400
Website: https://www1.nyc.gov/office-of-the-mayor/

New York City is made up of 5 counties, each of which is coterminous with a borough:

School Districts

Public education in New York City is managed by the New York City Department of Education, the largest school district in the United States with over 1 million students across over 1,700 schools. The school system is divided into 32 community school districts. Some of the largest districts include:

In addition to public schools, there are also many private and parochial school options across New York City.

Additional Local Resources

Here are some other useful resources for living in or visiting New York City:

  • NYC 311 – Central resource for non-emergency services and information about New York City programs.
  • New York Public Library – With over 90 locations, the NYPL is one of the largest public library systems in the U.S.
  • NYC Parks – Operates over 30,000 acres of public parkland across the 5 boroughs.
  • NYC Taxi & Limousine Commission – Regulates taxis, rideshare, and for-hire vehicles in NYC.
  • NYC Tourism Overview – Data and statistics on visitors to New York City.

New York City also provides information on events, environmental initiatives, city services, and more on NYC.gov, the official website for New York City.