Necessary Facts and Navigating the Districts in New York City Return to Index Location:  New York City is located on the Eastern Atlantic Coast, at the mouth of the Hudson River. Population:  The city has a population of 7,400,000 people, while the entire metro area has a population of 8,600,000. Climate:  New York winters are typically cold and gray, but there is lots of celebrating, as well as many public events and festivals. Summers are hot and humid, with highs reaching the 90s during July and August. The most pleasant weather is in the spring, between March and June, and during the fall, from September to December. History:  New York City served a brief stint as the nation's capitol from 1789-90, and served as the state capitol in 1797. In 1790, The Big Apple became the nation's largest city, and more growth ensued in 1825 when the Erie Canal opened. The Five Boroughs: New York comprises five boroughs, each of which is recognized as a separate county. Manhattan: This Island is where most visitors go, as it houses most of the city's attractions, buildings and cultural institutions. It is also the smallest borough, with just 22 square miles. The Bronx: The only borough connected to the mainland U.S. Queens: Location of Kennedy and La Guardia airports, Queens borders the Atlantic Ocean and occupies part of Long Island. Brooklyn: Located south of Queens on Long Island, this borough's two claims to fame are its distinct accent and Coney Island. Staten Island: The least populous borough is bordered by the Upper New York Bay on one side and the Atlantic Ocean on the other. Navigating the City: Avenues run North-South (uptown & downtown), and most are numbered. Fifth Avenue divides the East Side from the West Side, and borders Central Park at 59th Street. First Avenue marks the Eastern limit, while 12th Avenue serves as the Western limit. Broadway is the exception, as the only major avenue that does not run North-South, this street cuts diagonally from Northwest to Southeast. As it crosses the major avenues, it forms Squares, such as Times Square, Herald Square and Union Square. Streets run East-West (cross-town). Trivia: New York's nickname "The Big Apple" has many legends surrounding it. Some claim the name was taken from a jazz club, others said it referred to the opportunity to race a horse in New York City, and still others claim it came from the selling of apples by former financiers gone poor during the Depression. Whatever the case, the name stuck! Total daily garbage output by New York City weighs in at 26,400,000 pounds! In 1993, Staten Island residents voted to secede from the city. State approval is required for such an action, and it was not granted; thus Staten Island remains a part of New York City. Broadway, starting in Lower Manhattan and ending in Albany, is one of the world's longest streets, measuring up to a length of 150 miles. Its official name is Highway 9. Central Park, at 843 acres, covers more area than the principality of Monaco

 

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