The geography of
New York City is characterized by its coastal position at the meeting of the
Hudson River and the
Atlantic Ocean in a naturally sheltered
harbor. The city's geography, with its scarce availability of land, is a contributing factor in making New York the most densely populated major city in the
United States. Environmental issues are chiefly concerned with managing this density, which also explains why New York is among the most energy-efficient and least automobile-dependent cities in the United States. The city's climate is temperate.
New York City is located on the coast of the
Northeastern United States at the mouth of the
Hudson River in southeastern
New York state. It is located in the
New York–New Jersey Harbor Estuary, the centerpiece of which is the
New York Harbor, whose deep waters and sheltered bays helped the city grow in significance as a trading city. Much of New York is built on the three islands of Manhattan, Staten Island, and western Long Island, making land scarce and encouraging a high population density.
The Hudson River flows from the
Hudson Valley into
New York Bay, becoming a
tidal estuary that separates the Bronx and Manhattan from Northern New Jersey. The
Harlem River, another
tidal strait between the East and Hudson Rivers, separates Manhattan from the Bronx.
The city's land has been altered considerably by human intervention, with substantial
land reclamation along the waterfronts since Dutch colonial times. Reclamation is most notable in
Lower Manhattan with modern developments like
Battery Park City. Much of the natural variations in topography have been evened out, particularly in Manhattan.[1] The
West Side of Manhattan retains some hilliness, especially in
Upper Manhattan, while the East Side has been considerably flattened.
Duffy's Hill in
East Harlem is one notable exception to the East Side's relatively level grade.
The city's land area is estimated to be 321 square miles (830 km2).[2] However, a more recent estimate calculates a total land area of 304.8 square miles (789.4 km2).[3]Icebergs are often compared in size to the area of Manhattan.[4][5][6]
The highest natural point in the city is
Todt Hill on Staten Island, which at 409.8 ft (124.9 m) above sea level is the highest hill on the Eastern Seaboard south of
Maine. The summit of the ridge is largely covered in woodlands as part of the
Staten Island Greenbelt. Many places have been identified as the geographic center of the city, including a plaque in the center of
Queens Boulevard and 58th Street, in
Woodside, Queens.[7]
Geologically, a predominant feature of the
substrata of Manhattan is that the underlying bedrock base of the island rises considerably closer to the surface near Midtown Manhattan, dips down lower between
29th Street and
Canal Street, then rises toward the surface again in Lower Manhattan. It has been widely believed that the depth to bedrock was the primary underlying reason for the clustering of skyscrapers in the Midtown and
Financial District areas, and their absence over the intervening territory between these two areas.[12][13] However, research has shown that economic factors played a bigger part in the locations of these skyscrapers.[14][15][16]
According to the
United States Geological Survey, an updated analysis of
seismic hazard in July 2014 revealed a "slightly lower hazard for tall buildings" than previously assessed. Scientists estimated this lessened risk based upon a lower likelihood than previously thought of slow shaking near New York City, which would be more likely to cause damage to taller structures from an earthquake in the vicinity of the city.[17]
New York City comprises five
boroughs, an unusual form of government used to administer the five constituent counties that make up the city. Throughout the boroughs there are hundreds of distinct
neighborhoods, many with a definable history and character all their own. If the boroughs were each independent cities, four of the boroughs (Brooklyn, Queens, Manhattan, and the Bronx) would be among the ten most populous cities in the United States.
The Bronx (Bronx County, pop. 1,364,566)[18] is New York City's northernmost borough. It is the birthplace of
rap and
hip hop culture,[19] the site of
Yankee Stadium, and home to the largest cooperatively owned housing complex in the United States,
Co-op City.[20] Except for a small piece of Manhattan known as
Marble Hill, the Bronx is the only section of the city that is part of the North American
mainland.
Brooklyn (Kings County, pop. 2,511,408)[18] is the city's most populous borough and was an independent city until 1898. Brooklyn is known for its cultural diversity, an independent art scene,
distinct neighborhoods and a unique architectural heritage. The borough also features a long beachfront and
Coney Island, famous as one of the earliest amusement grounds in the country.
Manhattan (New York County, pop. 1,606,275)[18] is the most densely populated borough and home to most of the city's
skyscrapers. The borough contains the major business centers of the city and many cultural attractions. Manhattan is loosely divided into
downtown,
midtown, and
uptown regions.
Queens (Queens County, pop. 2,256,576)[18] is geographically the largest borough and the most ethnically diverse county in the United States.[21] Historically a collection of small towns and villages founded by the Dutch, the borough today is mainly residential and middle class, with enclaves of above average income and wealth. It is the only large county in the United States where the median income among African-American households, about $52,000 a year, has surpassed that of Caucasian households.[22] Queens is the site of
Citi Field and its predecessor
Shea Stadium, the home of the
New York Mets, and annually hosts the
US Tennis Open.
Staten Island (Richmond County, pop. 475,014)[18] is the most suburban in character of the five boroughs. It is connected to Brooklyn by the
Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge and to Manhattan by the free
Staten Island Ferry. Until 2001 the borough was home to the
Fresh Kills Landfill, formerly the largest landfill in the world, which is now being reconstructed as
Freshkills Park, one of the largest urban parks in the United States.
New York City plays an important role in the green policy agenda because of its size. Environmental groups make large efforts to help shape legislation in New York because they see the strategy as an efficient way to influence national programs. New York City's economy is larger than Switzerland's, a size that means the city has potential to set new de facto standards. Manufacturers are also attuned to the latest trends and needs in the city because the market is simply too big to ignore.
^Quinn, Helen (June 6, 2013).
"How ancient collision shaped New York skyline". BBC Science. BBC.co.uk.
Archived from the original on June 13, 2013. Retrieved June 13, 2013. These rocks are Manhattan schist, part of that ancient supercontinent, fragments of Pangaea left behind when the continent split. They are just glimpses of what is below the surface in abundance in Downtown and Midtown. And it is these fragments of very hard rock that provide the perfect foundations for New York's highest buildings. Where Manhattan schist can be found very close to the surface you can build high, and so Downtown and Midtown have become home to Manhattan's tallest buildings.