Manhattan (New York County, New York)

Manhattan (New York County, New York)
source
Name	Manhattan
Official name	New York County
Settlement type	Borough and County
Subdivision type	Country
Subdivision name	United States
Subdivision type1	State
Subdivision name1	New York
Subdivision type2	City
Subdivision name2	New York City
Area total sq mi	22.7
Population total	1,694,251
Population as of	2020
Timezone	Eastern Time Zone

Manhattan (New York County, New York) is a densely populated borough of New York City and coterminous with New York County, forming the city's cultural and financial core. Manhattan hosts landmark institutions such as Wall Street, Broadway theatre, and Columbia University, and anchors major districts including Midtown Manhattan and Lower Manhattan. Its skyline features signature skyscrapers like Empire State Building, One World Trade Center, and Chrysler Building, while parks such as Central Park provide prominent urban green space.

History

Manhattan's recorded history begins with the Indigenous Lenape people and interactions later documented during Henry Hudson's 1609 voyage under the Dutch East India Company, preceding the establishment of New Amsterdam and the New Netherland colony. Control shifted with the Anglo-Dutch Wars and the 1664 capture by forces acting for the English Crown, leading to the renaming as New York under the Duke of York, followed by growth through the American Revolutionary War and events like the Battle of Fort Washington and occupation by British forces. Manhattan became the seat of the United States capital briefly under the Articles of Confederation era and the Residence Act period, hosting the Tenth Regiment and institutions such as Federal Hall and the early United States Congress. The 19th century brought infrastructure projects including the Erie Canal's economic ripple effects, immigration via Castle Garden and arrival of populations at Ellis Island, industrial expansion with companies like AT&T and Brooklyn Navy Yard's connections, and urban planning shaped by figures such as Frederick Law Olmsted with Central Park. 20th-century developments included the construction of Chrysler Building, the 1913 opening of the Lincoln Tunnel, the establishment of United Nations Headquarters on the East River, financial milestones at New York Stock Exchange, and cultural growth tied to Harlem Renaissance and the rise of Beat Generation. Late 20th- and early 21st-century events such as the September 11 attacks at the World Trade Center site, reconstruction with One World Trade Center, and ongoing resilience through responses by Federal Emergency Management Agency and local agencies have shaped contemporary Manhattan.

Geography and neighborhoods

Manhattan occupies Manhattan Island, bordered by the Hudson River, East River, and Harlem River, and includes smaller landforms like Roosevelt Island and Randall's Island. The borough is conventionally divided into regions: Lower Manhattan, Midtown Manhattan, Upper East Side, Upper West Side, Harlem, and Washington Heights, with neighborhood identities in areas like SoHo, Greenwich Village, Chelsea, Battery Park City, Morningside Heights, and Inwood. Major thoroughfares include Broadway, Fifth Avenue, and Park Avenue, while green spaces include Central Park, Bryant Park, Riverside Park, and Battery Park. Geological features trace to glacial activity shaping bedrock such as Manhattan schist and waterfront reclamation projects created districts like Battery Park City. Contemporary zoning and land use reflect plans from Robert Moses era projects and Zoning Resolution of 1916 influences, with urban renewal examples like Lincoln Center and historic preservation in districts such as Greenwich Village Historic District.

Demographics

Manhattan's population includes diverse groups with historical waves from Ireland, Italy, Germany, and later migrations from Puerto Rico, Dominican Republic, China, and India, reflecting enclaves like Chinatown, Manhattan and Little Italy, Manhattan. Socioeconomic variation ranges from affluent areas including Upper East Side and Tribeca to lower-income communities in parts of Harlem and Washington Heights, with institutions like Columbia University and NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital influencing local demographics. Census measures show high population density and significant daytime population increases driven by business districts such as Midtown Manhattan and Financial District. Demographic trends interact with housing developments influenced by laws like the New York City Rent Stabilization Law and policies from agencies including the New York City Housing Authority and Metropolitan Transportation Authority.

Economy and employment

Manhattan is a global financial center anchored by Wall Street, the New York Stock Exchange, and the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, supporting major firms including Goldman Sachs, JPMorgan Chase, and Morgan Stanley. The borough's economy spans sectors with media corporations like The New York Times Company, Hearst Communications, and ViacomCBS; technology firms concentrated in Silicon Alley; legal institutions including the New York County Court and law firms on Wall Street; and cultural employers at Lincoln Center, Museum of Modern Art, and Broadway. Tourism draws visitors to Times Square, Statue of Liberty departures, and hotels such as those near Fifth Avenue. Economic regulation and development involve agencies like the New York City Economic Development Corporation and financing instruments through entities like the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey.

Culture and landmarks

Manhattan hosts world-class cultural institutions including Metropolitan Museum of Art, American Museum of Natural History, Guggenheim Museum, and performance venues such as Carnegie Hall, Radio City Music Hall, and Broadway theatres. Literary and artistic movements centered in Manhattan involve figures associated with Harlem Renaissance, Greenwich Village, and institutions like The New School. Landmarks include Empire State Building, Flatiron Building, St. Patrick's Cathedral, Grand Central Terminal, and the World Trade Center. Annual events and festivals such as the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, NYC Pride, and parades through Fifth Avenue contribute to civic life, while culinary scenes span Michelin-starred restaurants, markets like Chelsea Market, and neighborhood staples in East Village and Lower East Side.

Government and infrastructure

As a borough and county, Manhattan is represented in city government by a Manhattan Borough President and multiple seats on the New York City Council, with judicial matters in courts of the New York State Unified Court System at locations such as New York County Courthouse. Municipal services are provided by agencies including the New York City Police Department, New York City Fire Department, New York City Department of Education, and New York City Department of Sanitation, while state-level facilities include offices of the New York State Department of Health and higher education campuses like City College of New York. Emergency management and resilience planning involve coordination with federal entities including the Federal Emergency Management Agency and regional planning bodies such as the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey.

Transportation

Manhattan is a hub of transit with the New York City Subway lines converging at major stations including Grand Central–42nd Street, Times Square–42nd Street, and 34th Street–Penn Station, served by operators such as the Metropolitan Transportation Authority and connecting to commuter railroads like the Long Island Rail Road, Metro-North Railroad, and New Jersey Transit via tunnels and terminals including Penn Station and PATH connections. Major road arteries include FDR Drive, West Side Highway, and bridges such as the Brooklyn Bridge and George Washington Bridge, while ferry services link to destinations like Staten Island Ferry and Governor's Island routes. Air travel access is provided through airports including John F. Kennedy International Airport, LaGuardia Airport, and Newark Liberty International Airport with shuttle services and rail links.

Category:Neighborhoods in Manhattan