Manhattan is the island borough of New York City, and is the commercial, financial and cultural center of the United States. Located south of the Bronx and across the East River from Queens and Brooklyn, Manhattan is home to more than 1.5 million residents.
Manhattan is indisputably the center of the New York City metropolitan area, housing a number of famous museums and universities, the largest number of corporate headquarters in the nation, and the New York Stock Exchange and NASDAQ.
Located Northeast of Manhattan, the Bronx is New York City's northernmost borough, as well as the only one of the city's five boroughs situated primarily on the United States mainland. The borough's estimated population is 1.5 million, fourth largest of the five boroughs.
The Bronx is widely known as the location of Yankee Stadium, but is also home to the "Little Italy" shopping district on Arthur Avenue and New York City's fourth largest park, Van Courtlandt Park. Bronx Park is also home to the Bronx Zoo, which at 265 acres is the largest metropolitan zoo in the United States.
Brooklyn is the most populous of New York City's five boroughs, with an estimated 2.5 million residents. Located south of Queens, Brooklyn was the first municipality to be established in what would eventually become New York State.
Considered "Home to Everyone from Everywhere," Brooklyn is closely associated with cultural diversity and boasts substantial populations from around the world. Known for its booming arts and cultural scene, Brooklyn is also home to the Brooklyn Museum, the Brooklyn Academy of Music, the Brooklyn Botanic Garden and Coney Island, as well as New York City's third largest business district.
Queens is the largest in area and second most populous of the five boroughs of New York City. Located on the western portion of Long Island, Queens is touted as the most diverse community in the nation, with 46% of its residents born abroad.
Queens is often considered one of New York City's more suburban boroughs. Neighborhoods in central, southern, and eastern Queens have a look and feel similar to the bordering suburbs of western Nassau County. Its northwestern section, however, is home to many urban neighborhoods and several business districts.
Staten Island is a borough of New York City situated primarily on an island of the same name. Separated from New Jersey by the Staten Island sound, and from the rest of New York by New York Bay, it has an estimated population of 500,000.
Staten Island is overall the most suburban of the five boroughs of New York City. The North Shore, which contains the St. George Historic District, is the most urban part of the island, while the South Shore has more suburban-style residential neighborhoods and is home to the F.D.R. Boardwalk. The borough is accessible to Brooklyn via the Verrazano-Narrows, and to Manhattan via the free Staten Island Ferry, a popular tourist attraction that provides views of the Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island and lower Manhattan.
Located to the east of Manhattan, Long Island is comprised of two suburban counties: Nassau County and, farther east, Suffolk County. The Long Island Railroad (LIRR) and major roadways such as the Long Island Expressway, Northern State Parkway and Southern State Parkway connect these counties to New York City
Westchester County is a primarily suburban county of New York with nearly one million residents. Considered part of the New York City metropolitan area, it borders the Bronx at its southernmost point.
Often referred to as the "Golden Apple," Westchester County is home to a multitude of historical sites, include Sunnyside in Irvington (the former home of author Washington Irving), as well as the Thomas Paine historical site, the Lyndhurst Estate and the Rockefeller House and Gardens. The Bee-Line county-wide bus system provides over 55 routes and express service within the county, while the MetroNorth train provides easy access to Manhattan.
New Jersey is bordered by New York to the North, Pennsylvania to the West, and Delaware to the South. The state is home to approximately 8,724,000 residents according to the 2006 United States Census Bureau. Currently, New Jersey has the highest population density of any state in the country.
The state's median income is first in the nation and it has the highest percentage of millionaire households. Nine of New Jersey counties rank in the top 100 of the wealthiest in the nation. New Jersey prosperity has been fueled by its strategic location within the Northeast corridor: between New York City, Boston, Philadelphia, Baltimore and Washington D.C. The state%26#39;s economy is largely driven by the following industries: pharmaceutical, chemical development, telecommunications, food processing, electric equipment, printing and publishing, and tourism. The state is home to Newark Liberty International Airport which is one of the busiest airports in the United States. New Jersey is also home to world famous beaches, as it boasts approximately 124 miles of coastline.
