NEW YORK CITY
New York is situated on the Atlantic coast at the mouth of the Hudson River. Originally it occupied only
Manhattan Island, which the Dutch bought from the Indians for 24 dollars. Founded between 1620 and 1640 as
a Dutch colony it was called New Amsterdam. In 1664 the English fleet under the command of the Duke of
York defeated the Dutch and took the colony which changed its name in New York. Today New York has more
than 8 million inhabitants of about 170 different languages.
There are five boroughs in New York City: Brooklyn, the Bronx, Manhattan, Queens and Richmond and they
are joined to each other by immense bridges. Only one of the boroughs, the Bronx, is not an island. Manhattan,
the smallest island in New York, is the real heart and centre of the city. Manhattan is divided into Streets
running east-west and Avenues running north-south. “The Big Apple” as the Americans affectionately call it, is
the financial and cultural capital of the USA and one of the greatest seaports in the world. New York , with the
United Nations Headquarters, can be considered the diplomatic capital of whole world.
At the entrance to New York Harbour there is Ellis Island. Between 1892 and 1954 this small island was the
Immigration Station for millions of immigrants coming from all over Europe. In Ellis Island they had to pass
the registration procedure, a rigorous medical inspection and aptitude test, as a condition to enter the United
States. For these reasons, Ellis Island was also called “the Island of Hope “ and “the Island of Tears”. In 1990
Ellis Island became a Museum offering an interesting view of the immigrants’ experience. Today more than
40% of all Americans are descendants of those immigrants who came through Ellis Island.
1-What was the first name given to New York?
It was New Amsterdam.
2-What was New Amsterdam originally?
It was a Dutch colony.
3- When was the Dutch colony founded?
It was founded between 1620 and 1640.
4-How much did the Dutch pay the Indians for Manhattan Island? The Dutch payed 24 dollars
5-When was New Amsterdam changed in New York? Why? In 1664 the English fleet under the command of
the Duke of York defeated the Dutch and took the colony which changed its name in New York.
6- How many boroughs are there in New York ?
There are five boroughs in New York City: Brooklyn, the Bronx, Manhattan, Queens and Richmond
7-What’s the nickname given to New York?
It’s “The Big Apple”
8- What was Ellis Island originally? It was an Immigration Station for millions of immigrants.
9- What is Ellis Island today?
It’s the home of the Immigration Museum.