New York: The city that never sleeps, between history, power, and diversity

Nestled at the mouth of the Hudson River and overlooking the Atlantic Ocean, New York City is much more than a metropolis: it is a global icon of economic power, cultural diversity, and urban dynamism. With a population exceeding 8 million inhabitants, this city —also known as “the Big Apple”— has established itself as the financial, cultural, and media heart of United States and the world.

New York History

Founded by Dutch settlers in 1624 under the name New Amsterdam, it passed into British hands in 1664 and was renamed New York, in honor of the Duke of York. Since then, the city has been a key stage in American history: from battles during the War of Independence to a center for massive reception of immigrants in the 19th century through Ellis Island, very close to the Statue of Liberty, a universal emblem of hope and freedom. In the 20th century, New York was the epicenter of the industrial boom, the birth of cultural movements such as jazz, hip hop and modern art, and the painful memory of September 11, 2001, which transformed its skyline and marked a before and after in contemporary history.

New York City - Global Capital of Finance and Culture

New York is home to the Wall Street financial district, home to the largest stock exchange on the planet. In addition, Manhattan is home to the headquarters of the United Nations and the main conglomerates of media, fashion, film and technology. The city is also synonymous with art and spectacles: Broadway, the Metropolitan Museum of Art (MET), the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA), and Lincoln Center make New York one of the most active and visited cultural centers in the world.

A city of five worlds

Divided into five boroughs — Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, The Bronx, and Staten Island — each has its own identity. From Manhattan's skyscrapers to the multicultural neighborhoods of Queens, through Brooklyn's artistic effervescence or the African-American history of the Bronx, New York reflects a unique plurality where more than 180 nationalities coexist and more than 200 languages are spoken.

Tourism and Unforgettable Symbols

New York receives more than 60 million tourists a year. Places like Times Square, Central Park, the Empire State Building, the Brooklyn Bridge and the One World Trade Center are must-sees for those visiting this vibrant city, active 24 hours a day. It also hosts iconic events such as the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, the lighting of the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree, and the famous ball drop in Times Square to welcome the New Year.

Challenges and Resilience

New York has faced great challenges: terrorist attacks, hurricanes, financial crises, and the COVID-19 pandemic. However, its resilient spirit and its capacity for reinvention have kept it as a beacon of progress, freedom, and multiculturalism.

Technical Sheet: New York City

• Official Name: City of New York
• Nickname: The Big Apple / The City That Never Sleeps
• Foundation: 1624 (as New Amsterdam)
• Renaming: 1664 (renamed New York by the British)
• Country: United States of America
• State: New York
• Estimated Population: More than 8.6 million (metropolitan area: more than 20 million)
• Area: 789 km² (Manhattan: 59 km²)
• Languages spoken: English (official), Spanish, Chinese, Russian, Arabic, French, among more than 200 languages
• Demonym: New Yorker
• Iconic Landmarks: Statue of Liberty, Empire State Building, Brooklyn Bridge, Central Park, Times Square
• Territorial division: 5 boroughs (Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, Bronx, Staten Island)
• Current Mayor: [Update with current name]
• Main tourist attractions: Broadway, Wall Street, museums, parks, gastronomy, architecture, nightlife
• Transportation: Subway (metro), buses, yellow cabs, ferries, bicycles
• Main airports: JFK (John F. Kennedy), LaGuardia, Newark
• Emblematic events: Thanksgiving Parade, New Year's Eve in Times Square, Fashion Week, US Open tennis
• Climate: Humid temperate, with cold winters and hot summers