Staten Island

Staten Island is one of the five parts, or boroughs, of New York City. It is the southernmost part and is also known as Richmond County. Staten Island is separated from New Jersey by water and from the rest of New York City by New York Bay.

Originally, Staten Island was home to the Lenape people. Later, Dutch settlers arrived in the 1600s. In 1898, it became part of New York City. People sometimes call it “the forgotten borough” because it feels a bit different from the busier parts of the city. It is also known as “the borough of parks” because it has many green spaces.

Staten Island is the least crowded but the third largest borough in size. It covers 58.5 square miles. Even though it is part of New York City, it feels more like a suburban area. The North Shore has older, beautiful houses, while the South Shore became more like a neighborhood with houses in the 1960s and 1970s.

You can reach Staten Island from Brooklyn by the Verrazzano–Narrows Bridge and from New Jersey by bridges like the Outerbridge Crossing, Goethals Bridge, and Bayonne Bridge. Staten Island has bus lines and a train called the Staten Island Railway, but it is the only borough not connected to the New York City Subway. The Staten Island Ferry offers a nice ride across New York Harbor with views of the Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island, and Lower Manhattan.

Staten Island has many parks and natural areas. It is home to animals like white-tailed deer, birds, and rabbits. The island also has places to visit, such as Historic Richmond Town, the Staten Island Zoo, and Snug Harbor Cultural Center.

Staten Island is known for its mix of cultures. Many people there have European backgrounds, especially Italian and Irish families. There are also families from Russia, Poland, and Sri Lanka. The island has many people who follow the Roman Catholic tradition, and there is also a group of people who follow Jewish traditions.

Staten Island has its own local leaders and is different from the rest of New York City in its voting patterns. The island has been home to many famous people and has been featured in movies and TV shows. It also has a rich history and many parks to explore.

Staten Island connects to New Jersey by three vehicle bridges and one railroad bridge. The Verrazzano–Narrows Bridge links it to Brooklyn. The Staten Island Ferry is a free and popular way to travel to Manhattan, taking about 25 minutes. The Staten Island Railway runs from St. George to Tottenville and has been operated by the Metropolitan Transportation Authority since 1971.

Staten Island is the only part of New York City without a hospital run by the city. It has two private hospitals: the Richmond University Medical Center and the Staten Island University Hospital. The island does not have a large jail run by New York City.

Staten Island has fun nicknames like the “Forgotten Borough” and the “borough of parks.” It also has a special friendship with Ulcinj, Montenegro, meaning the two places work together and share ideas.