Changes

{{City

{{City

|picture        =Liberty2.jpg

|picture        =Liberty2.jpg

}}

}}

[[File:Nyc1.jpg|thumb|450px|the center of the metropolitan area, which stretches into Connecticut (to the northeast) and New Jersey (to the west)]]

[[File:Nyc1.jpg|thumb|450px|the center of the metropolitan area, which stretches into Connecticut (to the northeast) and New Jersey (to the west)]]

'''New York City''', officially the '''City of New York''', is a city and metropolis in the state of [[New York]], located on the East coast of the [[United States of America]].  New York City is known best for the [[New York Stock Exchange]] and financial district, its [[liberal media]], its [[liberal]] [[Broadway]] shows, and its high cost of living.  New York City is also where the major networks grew in influence: [[Fox News]], [[ABC]], [[CBS]] and [[NBC]].

'''New York City''', officially the '''City of New York''', is a city and metropolis in the state of [[New York]], located on the East coast of the [[United States of America]].  New York City is known best for the [[New York Stock Exchange]] and financial district, its [[liberal media]], it's [[liberal]] [[Broadway]] shows, and its high cost of living.  New York City is also where the major networks grew in influence: [[Fox News]], [[ABC]], [[CBS]] and [[NBC]].

With a population of 19 million in the three-state metropolitan area (and 8,140,000 in the city as in 2005), it is the most populous urban area in the [[United States]]. The city is divided into five different counties, called boroughs.  Manhattan is the financial, commercial, and tourist center.  Brooklyn is the most populous of the boroughs, and suburban Queens is the largest in area.  The other two boroughs are [[The Bronx]], a predominantly minority residential area, and suburban Staten Island.  The modern city was formed in 1898 through a merger of the original New York City with Brooklyn.

With a population of 19 million in the three-state metropolitan area (and 8,140,000 in the city as in 2005), it is the most populous urban area in the [[United States]]. The city is divided into five different counties, called boroughs.  Manhattan is the financial, commercial, and tourist center.  Brooklyn is the most populous of the boroughs, and suburban Queens is the largest in area.  The other two boroughs are [[The Bronx]], a predominantly minority residential area, and suburban Staten Island.  The modern city was formed in 1898 through a merger of the original New York City with Brooklyn.

New York owes its success to its status as the major hub of world transportation by air and water. It grew because it has one of the world's finest natural harbors.  It is ice-free year-round and deep enough to enable large ships to reach its piers regardless of the tide.  The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey was established in 1921 by the two states in order to administer jointly the shared waterfront. Most traffic is now handled through containers.  Three major airports serve the city: John F. Kennedy International Airport (for international travel) and La Guardia Airport (for domestic travel), as well as nearby Newark International Airport. All three airports are operated by the Port Authority, which also operates certain bridges, tunnels and subway lines that connect New York and New Jersey.

New York owes its success to its status as the major hub of world transportation by air and water. It grew because it has one of the world's finest natural harbors.  It is ice-free year-round and deep enough to enable large ships to reach its piers regardless of the tide.  The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey was established in 1921 by the two states in order to administer jointly the shared waterfront. Most traffic is now handled through containers.  Three major airports serve the city: John F. Kennedy International Airport (for international travel) and La Guardia Airport (for domestic travel), as well as nearby Newark International Airport. All three airports are operated by the Port Authority, which also operates certain bridges, tunnels and subway lines that connect New York and New Jersey.

When [[Hurricane Irene]] was headed for the city in August 2011 following a harsh winter, the MTA (Metropolitan Transportation Authority) shut down all its commuter rail, subway and buses. This move was criticized by some as excessively cautious.

When [[Hurricane Irene]] was headed for the city in August 2011 following a harsh winter, the MTA (Metropolitan Transportation Authority) shut down all its commuter rail, subway, and buses. This move was criticized by some as excessively cautious.

[[Image:NYC.jpg|thumb|400px|Historic Manhattan]]

[[Image:NYC.jpg|thumb|400px|Historic Manhattan]]

== History ==

== History ==

 

The first Dutch settlers arrived in Manhattan in 1624, naming the town New Amsterdam.  Indian claims were bought out for the equivalent of $24.  The Dutch sent settlers up the Hudson River (which is easily navigable by sailing vessels) to Albany. The Dutch colony, named New Amsterdam, was run in an autocratic fashion by Governor Peter Stuyvesant.  It soon had a [[cosmopolitan]] flavor, with freedom of religion and numerous ethnic and religious groups; the Dutch brought slaves as house servants.<ref>Slavery was finally abolished in 1799.</ref> The city was captured in war by the British in 1664; they renamed both the city and the colony for the Duke of York (who later became King [[James II]]).  

The first Dutch settlers arrived on Manhattan in 1624, naming the town New Amsterdam.  Indian claims were bought out for the equivalent of $24.  The Dutch sent settlers up the Hudson River (which is easily navigable by sailing vessels) to Albany. The Dutch colony, named New Amsterdam, was run in autocratic fashion by Governor Peter Stuyvesant.  It soon had a [[cosmopolitan]] flavor, with freedom of religion and numerous ethnic and religious groups; the Dutch brought slaves as house servants.<ref>Slavery was finally abolished in 1799.</ref> The city was captured in war by the British in 1664; they renamed both the city and the colony for the Duke of York (who later became King [[James II]]).  

The use of [[Ellis Island]] as the checkpoint for millions of European immigrants in the late 19th Century caused New York City's population to swell, as many settled in the city.

The use of [[Ellis Island]] as the checkpoint for millions of European immigrants in the late 19th Century caused New York City's population to swell, as many settled in the city.

===Giuliani era===

===Giuliani era===

As Mayor, [[Rudy Giuliani]] sought to return accountability to city government and improve the quality of life for all New Yorkers. Under his leadership, overall crime fell 57%, murder was reduced by 65%, shootings dropped 72% and New York was recognized by the F.B.I. as the safest large city in America for five consecutive years. Although national crime rates fell in the 1990s, New York exceeded all other cities. Among Giuliani's most notable accomplishments during his mayoralty was his successful assault on [[pornography]] businesses in [[Times Square]]. The neighborhood had long been a mecca for "sexually oriented businesses", but through a prolonged campaign which included maintaining an alliance of local businesses, conservative and feminist groups and the general public, Giuliani managed to clean it up and replaced it with legitimate theaters, restaurants and shops, making it a world class tourist attraction for families.  

As Mayor, [[Rudy Giuliani]] sought to return accountability to city government and improve the quality of life for all New Yorkers. Under his leadership, overall crime fell 57%, murder was reduced by 65%, shootings dropped 72% and New York was recognized by the F.B.I. as the safest large city in America for five consecutive years. Although national crime rates fell in the 1990s, New York exceeded all other cities. Among Giuliani's most notable accomplishments during his mayoralty was his successful assault on [[pornography]] businesses in [[Times Square]]. The neighborhood had long been a mecca for "sexually oriented businesses", but through a prolonged campaign which included maintaining an alliance of local businesses, conservative and feminist groups, and the general public, Giuliani managed to clean it up and replaced it with legitimate theaters, restaurants and shops, making it a world-class tourist attraction for families.  

Mayor Giuliani, along with New York City Police Department Commissioner Bill Bratton, adopted an anti-crime approach known as the "Broken Window Theory." Which is the notion that if by cracking down on minor crimes such as [[graffiti]] or litter, it will lead to stopping more serious crimes before they occur. In 1994 Giuliani and Bratton launched the initiative CompStat, which looked at crime geographically and statistically monitored criminal activity on specific street corners. The program proved to be successful in reducing crime and is still used today. In 1996 it won the Innovations in Government Award from the Kennedy School of Government at [[Harvard]] [[University]]. However, Bratton resigned in 1996 after having personal disagreements with Giuliani.

Mayor Giuliani, along with New York City Police Department Commissioner Bill Bratton, adopted an anti-crime approach known as the "Broken Window Theory." Which is the notion that if by cracking down on minor crimes such as [[graffiti]] or litter, it will lead to stopping more serious crimes before they occur. In 1994 Giuliani and Bratton launched the initiative CompStat, which looked at crime geographically and statistically monitored criminal activity on specific street corners. The program proved to be successful in reducing crime and is still used today. In 1996 it won the Innovations in Government Award from the Kennedy School of Government at [[Harvard]] [[University]]. However, Bratton resigned in 1996 after having personal disagreements with Giuliani.