New York City

History

A Rich, Multicultural City

Habitation in New York City dates back to late prehistory, with evidence for settlements as far back as 10,000 BC. By 1100 AD the region was populated by two cultures – the Iroquoian and Algonquian. European explorers first visited New York in the late 16th Century, including the Italian explorer Giovanni da Verrazzano, but it wasn’t settled by Europeans until 1624, when the Dutch West India Company sent 30 families to live and work in a small settlement. They named it “New Amsterdam” and it was sparsely settled until it was moved to Manhattan Island in 1626.

By 1760 the city began to expand to over 18,000 people and became known as New York City. In 1785 New York City became the first capital of the U.S, and was the site of the inauguration of George Washington as first U.S. President.

In 1792 the stock exchange was founded in NYC and it remains the largest stock exchange by market capitalization, with listed companies valued at $21.3 Trillion as of 2017.

By the 19th Century NYC had become the largest city in the Western Hemisphere. During the rest of the century New York City played an important role in the cotton economy. The need to transport goods led to the creation of a 363-mile long canal from Hudson River to Lake Erie, cementing its place as the trading capital of the nation.

New York’s multicultural flavor began during the 19th Century when immigrants from Germany and Ireland, and then from Eastern Europe arrived, settling in distinct ethnic neighborhoods. By the transition to the 20th Century, New York City expanded rapidly, consolidating different independent cities (such as Queens, the Bronx, Staten Island and Brooklyn), resulting in a population of over 3 million people.

After a period of deindustrialization after the Second World War, more immigrants arrived, revitalizing neighborhoods and adding to the eclectic population. Today, New York City is home to more than 8 million people, a third of which were born outside of the U.S.

NYC’s long history of welcoming people from abroad makes it a fantastic place for international entrepreneurs to settle.

Climate

Winters can be Harsh, but Glorious Summers are Never far Away

New York has a humid subtropical climate, where the temperature and conditions can vary significantly day to day and during the course of the year.

The summers tend to be hot and moist and the winters cold, with temperatures often dropping to well below freezing during winter months. New York often experiences snow in the winter and has had over 30 inches of snow per year for the last 30 years.  In the summer temperatures can reach 84°F on average, with the humidity adding to the sense of heat.

Spring tends to be a particularly pleasant time, with comfortable temperatures of around 77°F, though there can be quite a lot of variation in temperature on different days.

Education

Some of the World’s Best Educational Institutions

New York has a large public education system, but is unfortunately disparate in terms of quality. The 20,000 public schools in the area include some of the best rated in the country, and some of the worst rated. School place allocation is based on location and many of the wealthier boroughs are where the best public schools are located. So if you are planning to use public education it will be helpful to research which locations are best for the high-achieving public schools. There are some publically funded charter schools, however because they are extremely popular, admittance is decided through a lottery system.

When it comes to private schools, NYC has plenty to choose from and a good deal of them are very academically competitive. Waiting lists can be long and it’s not uncommon for there to be entrance exams, so early preparation is key. Private education in New York is costly, but of a high standard.

NYC has over 110 universities and colleges, many of which are highly rated in the U.S. and abroad. New York University (NYU) is currently ranked 43rd in the world rankings and counts a large amount of international students amongst its intake. Columbia University (Barack Obama’s Alma Mater) is an Ivy League School, as is Cornell University, both ranked 16th and 14th in the world respectively.

NYC’s reputation as one of the most competitive but dynamic cities in the world means that it draws more out of state college students than any other – and many of these graduates stay to chase up jobs and opportunities once they’ve completed college. If you’re looking for high-caliber millennials for your business, NYC has them in droves.

Recreation

An Endless Amount of Things to See and do!

Whether you want to spend time at NYC’s iconic landmarks, such as The Statue of Liberty, The Empire State Building or Time Square, or prefer to relax with great food and culture, NYC has you covered for vibrant recreation.

New York is home to a host of world-class galleries and museums, such as the Metropolitan Museum of Art, with galleries hosting 5,000 years worth of art, and the MoMa (Museum of Modern Art) boasting art by icons such as Warhol, Picasso, Calder and Van Gough. It’s also home to the world’s largest natural history museum – the American Museum of Natural History, which has over 30 million exhibits.

Spending time in New York would not be complete without making Central Park your nature home-from-home. The famous park, located in Manhattan, is 843 acres in size and hosts a range of activities and features – from Central Park Zoo, to lakes, ponds, iconic statues and ice skating.

When it comes to eateries NYC has a dazzling array of food choices – from street vendors selling New York Bagels and Falafel, through ethnic food in Chinatown and high-end restaurants, as well as delicatessens and Parisian style Bistros.

New York is home to some of the world’s most famous sporting teams and New Yorkers tend to take their sport very seriously. It’s home to the headquarters of the NFL, Major League Baseball, the National Basketball Association and the National Hockey league, as well as Major League Soccer. So, whether you want to see the New York Yankees, The Mets, The New York Giants or the New York Nicks , you really are spoiled for choice.

If you love dance and theatre, then NYC is perfect for you. Home to the famous New York City Ballet, and Broadway – where musicals originated, there’s bound to be a show on that will delight and dazzle.

Overall, NYC has such a rich and vibrant cultural, entertainment and arts scene that it would be impossible to describe even a fraction of what’s on offer – No wonder one of its nicknames is “The City that Never Sleeps.”