New York City, officially the City of New York, is the most populous city in the United States and the most densely populated major city in North America. The city is a center for international finance, fashion, entertainment and culture, and is widely considered to be one of the world’s major global cities with an extraordinary collection of museums, galleries, performance venues, media outlets, international corporations and financial markets. It is also home to the headquarters of the United Nations.

Located in the state of New York, New York City has a population of 8.1 million within an area of 321 square miles (approximately 830 km²). The New York Metropolitan Area has a population of about 17 million, which makes it one of the largest urban areas in the world. The city consists of five boroughs: The Bronx, Brooklyn, Manhattan, Queens, and Staten Island. Each of these boroughs, except for Staten Island, is home to at least a million people and would each be among the nation’s largest cities if considered independently.

Nicknamed “the Big Apple”, the city attracts large numbers of immigrants, with over a third of its population foreign born. Moreover, it attracts people from all over the United States, who come for its culture, energy, cosmopolitanism, and economic opportunity. At present, the city has the lowest crime rate among American cities with one million residents or more.

New York has always been a city of the world and its multinational, multicultural
inhabitants (who speak over 80 languages) infuse its concrete canyons with a buzz that is every bit as energising and electrifying as that depicted in countless films and TV programs. With over 20,000 eclectic restaurants, 150 world-class museums and more than 10,000 stores brimming with brand names and bargains from across the globe, New York really does have something for everyone.

Away from the mayhem of the 24-hour urban hustle and bustle, New York also boasts the bucolic oasis of Central Park and the breezy park-lined Hudson River. It also acts as jumping off point for the ritzy beach towns of Long Island. However, the epicenter of New York life always has been and still very much is the island of Manhattan, which is surrounded by four other distinct city boroughs (the Bronx, Brooklyn, Queens and Staten Island) all of which have their own character and attractions.

New York’s location at the confluence of the Hudson River, Long Island and the Atlantic Ocean reflects the city’s importance as a port and as the disembarkation point for millions of immigrants to the USA. The first European settlement on Manhattan was by the Dutch, during the 1620s. They named the city New Amsterdam. In 1664, the British took over and renamed it New York. The settlement rapidly flourished, expanding from south to north along the island. Mass immigration in the 19th and early 20th centuries saw the emergence of distinct ethnic quarters, with the island of Manhattan rapidly developing into a unique cultural melting pot housing an entire world within its 58sq km (23sq miles). The cultural diversity stemming from the city’s rich history contributes to its importance as a multicultural capital.

Today, New York’s focus is on its more recent history - the events of 11 September 2001. The ramifications and aftershocks of the terrorist destruction of the city’s two tallest buildings (symbols of New York’s confidence and success) still permeate many levels of life. Determination to overcome America’s worst ever terrorist attack is felt throughout the city, in plans for memorialising the World Trade Center towers, the completion of the huge Time Warner Center, and the revitalising nearby neighborhoods. The event has done little to dent the appeal and vitality of the city. In fact, the world seems to have largely rallied around New York and, since the attack, tourists have tended to come not only for the shops, the theater and the museums, but also for new and thoughtful reasons.

New York is an excellent place to visit at any time of year, although it is particularly pleasant during the spring and fall, when temperatures hover around 21ºC (70ºF). New York winters tend to be unpredictable, although cold temperatures bring less snow here than to other nearby cities, while summers are hot and muggy, often lasting until September.