New York

Date of Statehood: July 26, 1788

Capital: Albany

Population: 19,378,102

Size: 54,555 square miles

Nickname(s): Empire State

Tree: Sugar Maple

Flower: Rose

Bird: Bluebird

THE HISTORY

The Dutch first settled along the Hudson River in 1624; two years later they established the colony of New Amsterdam on Manhattan Island.

In 1664, the English took control of the area and renamed it New York.

One of the original 13 colonies, New York played a crucial political and strategic role during the American Revolution. Between 1892 and 1954, millions of immigrants arrived in New York Harbor and passed through Ellis Island on their journey to becoming U.S citizens.

It is estimated that up to 40 percent of Americans can trace at least one ancestor to that port of entry.

New York City, the largest city in the state, is home to the New York Stock Exchange and is a major international economic center.

 Wall Street

This street and the surrounding area are home to some of the most important exchanges in the world, including the New York Stock Exchange, the NASDAQ, and the New York Mercantile Exchange.

Also located nearby are the impressive Trinity Church and Federal Hall. Look for the bronze statue of Charging Bull at Bowling Green, on Broadway. This is one of the most popular tourist attractions in the Financial District and a popular photo opportunity for visitors.

Carnegie Hall

Carnegie Hall opened in 1891 as New York’s first great concert hall. It is said to have some of the best acoustics in the world.
The best way to enjoy the hall is to take in a performance.

Statue of Liberty

The Statue of Liberty was France’s gift to America. Built in 1886, it remains a famous world symbol of freedom and one of the greatest American icons.

It is one of the world’s largest statues.

To truly appreciate the Statue of Liberty, the best thing to do is to take a short boat trip to Liberty Island and see it up close. You can walk around the base, enter the pedestal, and go right up to the crown.

Central Park

A walk, peddle, or carriage ride through the crisscrossing pathways of Central Park is a must-do on anyone’s New York City itinerary. This huge park in the city center, a half-mile wide and 2.5 miles long, is one of the things that makes New York such a beautiful and livable city. Some of the most popular places to visit include the Belvedere Castle, Strawberry Fields, the Central Park Zoo, and the Lake.

 Brooklyn Bridge

The Brooklyn Bridge, with its Gothic-shaped arches and suspension cables, is one of the city’s most recognizable landmarks and has inspired generations of poets, songwriters, and painters. This historic bridge, spanning the East River from Manhattan to Brooklyn, was completed in 1883 and was the world’s first steel suspension bridge.
From the bridge are beautiful views over Manhattan, the East River, and beyond to the Statue of Liberty.

New York Public Library

The New York Public Library’s main branch was designed by architects, Carrere & Hastings, in the Beaux Arts style. The library, with its impressive rooms, is a prominent city attraction that has been featured in many movies and TV shows over the years.

The Main Reading Room alone stretches two city blocks, and the Periodicals Room holds 10,000 current magazines.