New York City is the largest city in the United States and hosts approximately 46 million tourists each year. Although most people can probably recite something about Henry Hudson and the Big Apple, there are plenty of fun, little known factoids that make New York City unique. For those who can't get to NYC to experience it for themselves can at least watch one of the 250 movies that are filmed in the city annually.
Manhattan was purchased from Native Americans in 1626 by Peter Minuit for 60 guilders, or about $24. After the United States gained its independence from the British, New York City was the nation's first capital for one year, from 1789 to 1790. George Washington took his oath as the first President of the United States in New York City. Established in 1803 by Alexander Hamilton, The New York Post is America's longest running newspaper.
The border between New York and New Jersey is in the Hudson River, right underneath the Statue of Liberty. As a result, the land above water on Liberty Island is part of New York City and the water below is part of New Jersey. An Army Air Corps B-25 crashed into the 79th floor of the Empire State Building on July 28, 1945.
Brooklyn was a separate city from New York until 1898. While the biggest part of the borough of Manhattan is Manhattan Island, it also consists of Governor's Island, Roosevelt Island, Randall's Island, Liberty Island (home of the Statue of Liberty), part of Ellis Island and a part of the Bronx called Marble Hill. The population of Staten Island is one of the fastest growing of any county in New York State.
The population of New York City is approximately 8.4 million and is about 43 percent of the population of New York State. Approximately 4.9 million people ride the subway each day and about 1,600 people are reportedly bitten by other people in New York City every year. Yet, according to a recent study, New York is only the eighth most stressful city in America.
Sheep's Meadow in Central Park isn't just a cute name; sheep grazed there until 1934. They were removed during the Great Depression to prevent them from becoming a public food source. Belmont Island, also called U Thant Island, is the city's smallest islet and has been closed off to humans as a New York City Parks Department bird sanctuary.
Approximately 60 percent of New Yorkers are first or second generation immigrants. As a result, almost half of all New Yorkers speak a language other than English in their homes. In New York City there are more Irish people than in Dublin, more Italians than in Rome, and more Jewish people than in Tel Aviv.
