New York is a dream city for every inhabitant of our planet. Despite the fact that it is not the capital, is not considered the largest in area and does not have ancient attractions, its population is growing every second.
If you also want to become a resident of this metropolis, you will be interested to know what is Manhattan directly. New York, in fact, is popular precisely because of it.
What is New York?
We will not once again say that the city is the largest and most popular metropolis in the whole world, but right away we will move on to its administrative division. It is divided into five areas, which are most often called boros: Manhattan, Queens, Brooklyn, Staten Island and the Bronx.
All of them, with the exception of the first, are mostly residential, some of them are former ghettos, in others crime flourishes. In other words, unremarkable American settlements in which no one in their right mind would have thought to fly thousands of miles.
But the Manhattan area of New York, which is the smallest and most populous at the same time, is the exact opposite of the other four boros.
On this tiny island are concentrated all the sights of the city, which are not only its face, but also the face of America. The richest and most influential people of the world live here, millions of people from different parts of the planet come here to become wealthier and more successful. The world's tallest skyscrapers are built in Manhattan and incredibly vibrant parties are held.
District History
The most popular borough of the brightest metropolis in the world began its existence back in 1609. It was then that Captain Henry Hudson first sailed to the shores of modern Manhattan. Following him went the Dutch discoverers who founded a city on the island called New Amsterdam.
Having made friends with the local Native American population, they began not only to actively build up the island, but also came up with a second name that was different from the official one at that time. The word was borrowed from the same Indians and sounded like "manna hata", which means "hilly island". The name New Amsterdam was later changed to New York. Manhattan remained untouched, and took root as the official name of the very heart of this large and multifaceted metropolis.
Manhattan Division
Like New York itself, Manhattan is divided into districts. Officially, their number is equal to twelve, but the locals divide it into six parts. Among them are: Lower (South or Downtown), Middle or Midtown, Central Park, West Side or Upper West, East Side or Upper East and Uptown or Upper Manhattan.
New York is also divided into so-called small areas, and its most populous district is no exception. In Manhattan, the most famous "small" massifs are Times Square, Chinatown, Financial District, Greenwich Village, Harlem, Little Italy and others.
In addition, we also note that the streets of Manhattan are also characteristic of the special structure. For its entire territory, except for Downtown, a rectangular grid is inherent. Those roads that run along the island are called "avenue," and those that cross them are called "streets." Almost all the streets are numbered, the main one - Fifth Avenue - divides the island to the west and east.
Lower manhattan
The city of New York originates from this area. Today, Downtown is considered the heart of this metropolis, here in some places ancient sights have remained, but mainly the area is built up with skyscrapers. Broadway is considered its main street. Downtown also boasts attractions such as Wall Street, Chinatown, Little Italy, Greenwich Village. It is worth remembering that Lower Manhattan was badly damaged on September 11, 2001, when the twin towers were destroyed.
Midtown and Central Park
The central part of the city is the center of the most popular skyscrapers. Among them are the Empire State Building, Rockefeller Center, Chrysler Building and others. Midtown is the business center of New York, where officials and bankers sit, large companies and exchanges conduct their work.
Next to this area is Central Park - the greenest place in the city. Manhattan residents and tourists regularly come here to relax. The park is considered one of the most beautiful and largest in the world.
East side and west side
The areas that surrounded Central Park on both sides are completely residential. Western - West Side, is considered a haven for cultural representatives. Various actors, artists, writers and other representatives of art acquire real estate in this area.
On the other side of the bay is the East Side - the most elite housing estate in New York, where mainly businessmen and politicians live. Housing here is the most expensive in America.
Uptown
For a long time, the upper part of Manhattan was notorious. This territory served as a ghetto for black US citizens, and the crime rate there was considered the highest in the city. Today, Uptown is gradually acquiring a civilized appearance. But, in the old fashioned way, tourists and locals who have nothing to do with it still bypass the area.
Translation difficulties
Particular attention should be paid to how New Yorkers call Manhattan. The fact is that often the rest of the areas that make up the city are not recognized as "islanders," because they are not so prestigious and suitable for a chic life. That is why for them Manhattan is the whole of New York, and everything beyond the borders of this tiny island can no longer bear such a name.
Initially, a similar trend took place only in everyday life. But soon it was officially decided to assign Manhattan the status of a separate state - the state of New York. For example, Staten Island is located in New Jersey, unlike Manhattan.