New York City

New York is America’s most populous city and the capital of finance, business and theatre. It may not be the center of the universe but the ‘Big Apple’ certainly occupies a central place in the world’s imagination.

Following the discoveries of Henry Hudson in the early 17th centaury the Dutch formed a settlement in 1625 which they named New Amsterdam. The British took control of the city in 1664 and renamed it New York. In the 19th and the first two decades of the 20th century tens of thousands of immigrants from Europe came here and made New York the largest city in the United States.
The bulk o the city is situated on Manhattan Island which is between the Hudson and East rivers. The financial district lies Downtown in the south along with other famous places such as Chinatown, Little Italy and Greenwich Village. Central Park straddled by the Upper East and West Sides occupies much of Mid-Town with Harlem in the north.

When it comes to entertainment, New York City is a huge shop with every product on the shelf. Cultural activities range from the traditional to the avant-garde. Of course Broadway is at the heart of New York’s theatrical scene but you can also watch performances of Shakespeare in Central Park and numerous street acts in places like Time Square. There are also plenty of famous places to visit like the Statue of Liberty, Castle Clinton and the Empire State Building. Singing about New York, Frank Sinatra called it the city that never sleeps, so be prepared for crazy time.