Who discovered the island Manhattan in new York?

The Italian explorer Giovanni da Verrazzano is regarded as the first European to discover the island of Manhattan in 1524. He led an expedition for King Francis I of France and explored the Atlantic coast of North America. During his journey, he sailed into what is now New York Harbor and explored the area, including Manhattan. While he didn't stay there for long, he is credited with discovering and recording the existence of the island in European accounts.