New York City, New York

The city was founded by Dutch colonists in 1624 and was first given the name New Amsterdam. In 1664, British colonists took over the region and renamed the city New York. Located in the northeastern U.S. state of New York, New York City is the largest American metropolis and is a leading global center of culture, education, technology, and commerce. The city is situated on a natural harbor, where the Hudson and East Rivers flow into the Atlantic Ocean, and since its early days has functioned as a main port for both people and goods. It is the most densely populated and ethnically diverse city in the country, and is comprised of five distinct boroughs: Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx, and Staten Island. With large concentrations of immigrants from all over the world, New York is known for its variety of stores, restaurants, and cultural centers. Its unique cosmopolitan character and urban landscape of long avenues, skyscrapers, busy streets, and condensed traffic have provided iconic images of the U.S. that have circulated around the world through literature, film, news, and other media. Nicknamed the "big apple" and "the city that never sleeps" New York is famous for its parks, museums, historical landmarks, architecture, night life, and shopping and entertainment centers. It is the most popular tourist destination in the country, attracting millions of both domestic and foreign visitors annually.