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The City of Islands

New York’s most important borough, Manhattan is an island, while Queens and Brooklyn form part of Long Island.

Though many people don’t realize it, New York is a city made up of islands.. It’s most important borough, Manhattan, is an island, while Queens and Brooklyn form part of long island. As for Staten Island, the name is something of a giveaway. Indeed of the city’s five boroughs, only the Bronx sits on terra firma. There are also many smaller islands: Liberty Island, home of the Statue, is the most famous, but it’s closely followed by Ellis Island, the place where, for over fifty years (1892-1943), many immigrants began their American adventure. There are, however, at least 100 less well-known islands within the city limits. some are impossible to reach, but others are well worth a visit. One of the easiest to go to, for example, is Roosevelt Island, four-kilometer strip of land that lies between Manhattan and Queens. Today, it has its own subway stop, but its aerial tramway offers a far more spectacular arrival.

Other island in the East River are Randalls Island and Wards Island both of interest to the thorough visitor. The same cannot be said of City Island, a charming spot reminiscent of the fishing villages of New England located off the Bronx, a place whose name inspires much fear. In fact, it is the south Bronx which has the reputation for violence. City Island was, like much of New York, once inhabited by Indians.

For visits to New York’s other islands, there are many tourist agencies which accompany visitors all over the city. You can contact them when you get the chance to go to New York.

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