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NEW YORK CITY -
Do you know how New York City's famous nickname "Big
Apple" came about? The term was used by jazz musicians from the 1920s
and 1930s meaning making "the big time" or "reaching the
top." An appropriate name for this exciting city --- a city of wonder, a
city of dreams. It is an amazing, energy-filled place that is always
changing. New York is both old and new. Once
forests and farmlands settled by American Indians, New York is now famous for its modern
skyscrapers and grid-like streets. It is populated by more than eight million
people and has become the international center for business and finance. It
is a city of islands connected by tunnels, bridges, ferries, and underground
subway system. The New York metropolitan area has close to
20 million inhabitants, making it by far the largest city in America.
What makes the city special, its strongest
features, are its neighborhoods. Since the arrival of the first Europeans in
the 1600s, immigrants have brought their customs, traditions, and foods,
giving the city an international flavor. For example, Astoria is home to a large community of
Greek immigrants, Brighton Beach is known for its large number of
Russians, Harlem is known for its rich
African-American heritage, and Chinatown has maintained its exotic character. New York City attracts millions of people
every year. Besides its world-famous landmarks, the city offers museums,
Broadway shows, historic sites, sporting events, and international cuisine. New York is also a city of contrasts; from
the very wealthy and comfortable lifestyles to the homeless and unemployed,
from the expensive shops on Fifth Avenue and Madison Avenue to the cheap
knock-offs of Chinatown. The only way to know New York is to experience it first-hand.
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