Manhattan (borough)

Manhattan (borough)
source
Name	Manhattan
Native name	New York County
Settlement type	Borough
Subdivision type	Country
Subdivision name	United States
Subdivision type1	State
Subdivision name1	New York
Subdivision type2	County
Subdivision name2	New York County
Established title	Founded
Established date	1624
Area total km2	59.1
Population total	1,694,251
Population as of	2020
Timezone	Eastern Time Zone

Manhattan (borough) Manhattan is one of the five boroughs of New York City, coterminous with New York County, and a global center for finance, media, art, and education. Located at the mouth of the Hudson River and bounded by the East River and the Harlem River, Manhattan contains emblematic districts such as Wall Street, Times Square, and Harlem. The borough hosts major institutions including Columbia University, New York University, Metropolitan Museum of Art, and United Nations Headquarters.

History

Originally inhabited by the Lenape people, Manhattan became a focal point of European colonization after the Dutch West India Company established New Amsterdam in 1624. Control passed to the Kingdom of England in 1664, renaming the island New York under the Duke of York. Manhattan figured prominently in the American Revolutionary War, including the Battle of Harlem Heights and the British occupation of New York City. In the 19th century, infrastructure projects like the Erie Canal and the opening of Central Park reshaped urban growth, while waves of immigration through Castle Garden and later Ellis Island transformed neighborhoods such as Lower East Side and Washington Heights. The 20th century saw construction booms exemplified by Chrysler Building and Empire State Building, the rise of Wall Street finance, and cultural movements centered in Greenwich Village and Harlem Renaissance.

Geography and neighborhoods

Manhattan's islands include Manhattan Island, Randall's Island, Roosevelt Island, and several smaller islets. The borough's street grid, established by the Commissioners' Plan of 1811, structures neighborhoods like Upper East Side, Upper West Side, Midtown Manhattan, Chelsea, SoHo, Tribeca, and Battery Park City. Natural features include the Hudson River Greenway and the reclaimed land of Battery Park. Borders are defined by crossings such as the George Washington Bridge to New Jersey and tunnels like the Lincoln Tunnel, connecting to Hudson County, New Jersey.

Demographics

Manhattan's population reflects waves of migration: early Dutch settlers, 19th-century Irish and German communities, 20th-century Puerto Rican and Dominican populations, and more recent arrivals from China, India, and Mexico. Census data show diverse neighborhoods—Harlem with strong African American heritage, Chinatown, Manhattan with dense Chinese American populations, and Washington Heights with a large Dominican Republic diaspora. The borough contains concentrations of professionals linked to Wall Street, Silicon Alley, and academia at Columbia University and New York University.

Economy and commerce

Manhattan anchors major financial markets with New York Stock Exchange and NASDAQ located in Financial District and Times Square media hubs hosting The New York Times, ViacomCBS, and NBCUniversal. Corporate headquarters for multinational firms such as JPMorgan Chase, Goldman Sachs, and Morgan Stanley operate in Lower Manhattan and Midtown Manhattan. The borough's real estate market includes flagship properties like One World Trade Center and luxury districts on Fifth Avenue, while tourism centers around Broadway (Manhattan), Rockefeller Center, and the Metropolitan Museum of Art contributing to hospitality sectors serving visitors to John F. Kennedy International Airport and LaGuardia Airport.

Culture and landmarks

Manhattan houses cultural landmarks including Metropolitan Museum of Art, Museum of Modern Art, Guggenheim Museum, Carnegie Hall, and Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts. Theater on Broadway (Manhattan) defines American stagecraft, while music scenes in Greenwich Village influenced the Beat Generation and folk revivalists like Bob Dylan. Literary history connects to Columbia University alumni and publishers such as Simon & Schuster. Parks and plazas include Central Park, designed by Frederick Law Olmsted and Calvert Vaux, and public spaces like Times Square and Bryant Park.

Transportation

Manhattan is served by the New York City Subway with hubs at Grand Central–42nd Street, Penn Station (New York City), and Times Square–42nd Street. Regional rail connections include Amtrak at Penn Station (New York City) and commuter services by Long Island Rail Road and Metro-North Railroad. Ferries connect to Staten Island and New Jersey via operators such as the Staten Island Ferry. Road links include the FDR Drive, West Side Highway, and crossings like the Brooklyn Bridge, while bicycle infrastructure includes the Manhattan Waterfront Greenway.

Government and infrastructure

As coterminous with New York County, Manhattan falls under the jurisdiction of New York City municipal agencies headquartered in locations such as Manhattan Municipal Building and City Hall (New York City). Judicial functions occur at New York County Courthouse complexes, while federal presence includes the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York and offices near One Police Plaza. Emergency services are provided by New York Police Department, FDNY, and New York City Emergency Management. Major utilities and public works projects have involved partnerships with agencies like the Metropolitan Transportation Authority and Port Authority of New York and New Jersey.

Category:Manhattan Category:New York City boroughs