General facts Geography. - NY City is considered the capital of the world. Indeed it is the worlds main financial and commercial center. It is the most cosmopolitan city in the US as well as in the world. It is located on the eastern seaboard of the US and is located 380km away from the capital at Washington D.C. NY city consists of five boroughs. They are Manhattan, Brooklyn, Bronx, Staten Island and Queens. On the east of Manhattan is the east river, on the west is located the Hudson River. Manhattan is considered the leading borough full of cultural, artistic and commercial assets. Everyone around the world has heard about the financial district of Wall Street, the Empire State Building, Central Park, Broadway and Harlem. Manhattan is connected to the other boroughs by a network of bridges, subways, tunnels and ferry services. History. - Manhattan was first discovered in 1524 by an Italian explorer by the name of Giovanni da Verrazano. A hundred years later, the Dutch claimed the island and named in New Amsterdam. The legend has it that in 1626, the first Dutch mayor of Manhattan by name of Peter Minuit bought the island from the native Indians by giving them worthless trinkets valued at $24. The British challenged the right of ownership to Manhattan and after 22 years of war, finally laid claim to the island and renamed it New York. At this time the population was only about 2000, but this was to grow to 33,000 at the time of the American Revolution. In 1825 with the help of the industrial revolution and the subsequent rise in transportation and commerce the city was to see an explosion of immigrants. With the arrival of the 20th century, Manhattan and NY City as a whole, was to become the worlds center of commerce and culture. Climate - NY has a climate similar to Korea with all four seasons being represented. The average annual temperature is 12.6C. The best time to travel to NY is in the spring and fall. Especially in October and November when the air is dry and cool. The turning of the leaves at this time is considered an enjoyable event to watch. July and August are the hottest months, with temperatures reaching over 30C. However, due to low humidity the heat is bearable. During this hot season, a t-shirt and shorts are enough. The winter months of December to February are the coldest months with much snow. A coat, hat and boots are recommended. Food - Most new Yorkers enjoy eating out and enjoy trying new restaurants and exotic cuisine. Due to this reason, New York contains the largest amount of restaurants and variety than in any other part of the US. As a cosmopolitan city that includes people from all over the world, the city offers the foods of every possible nationality. Down in Chinatown in Canal St. the food is as authentic as one could find anywhere in China. Next door is Little Italy, Little India and Little Brazil. One could almost have a world tour in this island. Shopping and Leisure - New York provides the shopper with an abundance of products and is famous the world over for the amount and variety of goods that are to be had. Fifth Avenue is famous for its upscale boutiques, while in the east village one can buy vintage clothing. Once can shop for 24 hours straight! New York is also famous for its opera, musicals, plays, movies, sports and other forms of entertainment. One can truly ay that NY is the leisure capital of the world. One can go see musicals and plays in Broadway, operas and concerts at the Metropolitan and jazz in Greenwich Village. Famous Festivals - Easter Parade. Starting at 11AM until 2:30 PM from Fifth Avenue and 49St to 59St. - Independence Day Parade Fire works display at the East River. The display starts at 9:15pm, but it is recommended that you get there earlier as the streets from 14th to 51st are blocked off. - Macys Day Thanksgiving Parade Flower wreathed cars and giant balloons are the main theme of this parade. It is also the first time Santa Claus makes an appearance. The parade starts at 9:15AM on the 3rd Thursday in November. - Christmas Star Show. Starting in late November until January, the event takes place at Haydn Planetarium. The show portrays Bethlehem at the scene of the Nativity. - New Years Eve. Originally started in 1904, this NY tradition takes place on the top of the Times Square building, where a giant apple shaped ball is dropped to signify the start of the New Year.