What Everyone Needs to Know About New York
Wall Street, Broadway, Chrysler Building, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Central Park, etc. hearing only one of these names instantly brings the name of one of the most populous metropolitan cities in the world, New York City. Situated in the Northeastern United States, at the southern tip of the state of New York, it is known as the financial and cultural capital of the world, widely influencing technology, politics, tourism, art, entertainment, fashion, education, and sport. Being the United Nations headquarters, it is one of the most important centers for international diplomacy, as well. More than 800 different languages are spoken in this city, according to some experts, as around 37% of the population comes from different countries around the world, thus making NY one of the most linguistically diverse cities in the world.
Modern History
Before 1898, when the modern New York City was formed, the city was called New Amsterdam, due to the fact that the first European settlers in NY were actually Dutch. However, this was changed when the city was gifted to the Duke of York for his 18th birthday when the city’s name was changed into New York. The modern New York City consists of five separate boroughs: Manhattan, Queens, Brooklyn, the Bronx, and Staten Island, which were consolidated into a single city in 1898.
The first half of the 20th century was marked by a large economic, industrial and commercial boom. Numerous skyscrapers NYC is well-known for were constructed during and after the era of Prohibition. Suburban area grew larger with the return of the World War II veterans, while in 1952, the completion of the United Nations headquarters gave New York global geopolitical power.
Culture in the Air
“Culture just seems to be in the air, like part of the weather”, author Tom Wolfe once said about New York. The City of New York is the place where a great number of cultural movements were born. Harlem Renaissance in literature and visual art, New York School of abstract expressionism in painting, then, punk, salsa, hip hop, and freestyle, some forms of jazz, as well as a disco. For those in love with dancing, New York is the best place to visit as it is considered to be the dance capital of the world. Alongside with art, NY is famous for fashion events and is often ranked the top fashion capital in the world.
New York is the home to more than 2000 various cultural and arts organizations. There are more than 500 art galleries in the city and, since the 19th century, major cultural institutions have become a part of a large cultural network, including Carnegie Hall and the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
Architectural Wonders
The City of New York is well-known for being home to some of the tallest buildings in the world. The Woolworth Building, upon its construction in 1913, was the world’s tallest building for 17 years. This skyscraper is a famous example of Gothic Revival architecture, a must see for everybody who visits the city. Other popular buildings, constructed in a wide range of styles and designs, include Pieter Claesen Wyckoff House in Brooklyn (one of the oldest), One World Trade Center, The Empire State Building and the skyscraper at Ground Zero in Lower Manhattan.
More than 30,000 people from 48 cities worldwide participated in a survey in 2019, when the City of New York was voted the greatest city in the world. With such a diverse population, magnificent cultural and sports events and amazing architecture, it is one of the world cities able to offer anything anyone has ever dreamed of.
