Manhattan is a borough of New York City, located at the center of the city’s five boroughs. It is one of the most densely populated areas in the world, with a population of approximately 1.6 million people as of the 2010 census. The borough is often referred to as “the City” by residents of the surrounding boroughs, as it is the nucleus of the New York City metropolitan area.
Manhattan is bordered by the Hudson River to the west, the East River to the east, and the Harlem River to the north. It is known for its iconic skyline, with towering skyscrapers such as the Empire State Building, One World Trade Center, and the Chrysler Building. The borough is also famous for its many cultural institutions, including the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the American Museum of Natural History, and the Museum of Modern Art.
History
Manhattan was originally inhabited by various Native American tribes, including the Lenape, who called the island “Mannahatta.” In 1524, the Italian explorer Giovanni da Verrazzano became the first European to explore the area, although no European settlement was established until the Dutch arrived in 1624. The Dutch purchased Manhattan from the Lenape in 1626, and the island was subsequently named New Amsterdam.
In 1664, the English seized control of New Amsterdam and renamed it New York. Manhattan became the capital of the newly-formed State of New York in 1785, and the city rapidly grew in size and importance throughout the 19th century. The completion of the Erie Canal in 1825 helped spur economic growth, and by the turn of the century, New York had become the largest city in the United States.
In the years following World War II, New York City experienced a period of rapid growth and urbanization, with Manhattan becoming the epicenter of the city’s financial and cultural institutions. However, the city also faced numerous challenges, including poverty, crime, and racial tension, culminating in the 1970s with a period of fiscal crisis and decline.
In recent years, Manhattan has once again become a symbol of New York’s resurgence, with a growing population and thriving economy. The 21st century has seen the opening of numerous new cultural institutions and the construction of many new skyscrapers, including the controversial Hudson Yards development on the city’s West Side.
Geography
Manhattan is an elongated island, roughly 12 miles long and 2 miles wide at its widest point. It is bounded by the Hudson River to the west, the East River to the east, and the Harlem River to the north. The island is separated from the mainland by the Bronx in the northeast and from Staten Island in the southwest by New York Harbor.
The island is divided into three main regions: Downtown, Midtown, and Uptown. Downtown, located at the southern tip of the island, includes the Financial District, Battery Park, and the South Street Seaport. Midtown, located in the central portion of the island, is home to many of the city’s most famous landmarks, including Times Square, the Empire State Building, and Rockefeller Center. Uptown includes the Upper East Side, Upper West Side, and Harlem, and is known for its historic architecture and cultural institutions.
Manhattan is traversed by numerous bridges and tunnels, including the Brooklyn Bridge, the Manhattan Bridge, and the Holland Tunnel. The island is also served by numerous subway lines, buses, and commuter trains, making it easily accessible from other parts of the city and the surrounding region.
Climate
Manhattan has a humid subtropical climate, with hot and humid summers and cold winters. The average temperature in January, the coldest month, is around 32°F, while the average temperature in July, the warmest month, is around 76°F. The area also experiences seasonal variability in precipitation, with the heaviest rainfall occurring in the spring and summer months.
Economy
Manhattan is the economic engine of New York City, and by extension, the entire United States. The borough is home to the headquarters of many of the world’s largest corporations, as well as the New York Stock Exchange and the NASDAQ.
The city’s iconic skyline is dominated by skyscrapers, which serve as headquarters for many of the world’s largest banks, law firms, and media companies. The financial services industry is particularly important to Manhattan’s economy, with Wall Street serving as a global center of finance.
Cultural Institutions
Manhattan is home to numerous cultural institutions, many of which are world-renowned. The Metropolitan Museum of Art, located on the Upper East Side, is one of the largest art museums in the world, with a vast collection spanning more than 5,000 years of history.
The American Museum of Natural History, located in the Upper West Side, is one of the largest and most comprehensive natural history museums in the world, with collections ranging from fossils and meteorites to human cultural artifacts.
The Museum of Modern Art, located in Midtown Manhattan, is one of the most important museums of modern and contemporary art in the world, with a collection of more than 200,000 works of art.
Other notable cultural institutions in Manhattan include the New York Philharmonic, the New York City Ballet, the Public Theater, and the Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts.
Conclusion
Manhattan is one of the most iconic and culturally rich areas of the world. From the towering skyscrapers that dominate its skyline to the world-renowned cultural institutions that attract visitors from around the globe, the borough has something for everyone. Whether you’re a resident or a tourist, Manhattan is a place that is sure to captivate and inspire.
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