New York
Quick Notes
New York is nicknamed the 'Empire State', 'The Big Apple' and 'NYC'.
New York has its own flag and seal.
Population: 8,214,426 in New York City and 18,818,536 million in the suburbs.
Language: English
Weather: warm, humid summers and frosty, cold winters with temperatures around 30 degrees Celsius in July and minus 4 degrees in January.
Currency: As all US notes are green, you need to look twice before paying! US$1 is worth HK$7.82.
Must Eat
The New York hot dog
If you want something to eat while you're seeing the sights, head to one of New York's hot dog stands.
Eat these hot beef and pork sausages wrapped in a soft bread bun as they are, or cover them in ketchup, mustard and pickles. Some vendors also offer fried onions and sauerkraut.
The New York pizza
If you love junk food, but aren't in the mood for a hot dog, look for a pizza parlour.
New York pizza is famous for its thin crust and rich tomato sauce. Buy it by the slice, and try out dozens of different toppings.
Must See
The Statue of Liberty on Liberty Island in New York Harbour was given to the US in 1886 by France as a gesture of friendship.
The 46.5-metre tall statue's steel skeleton was built by Alexandre Gustave Eiffel (the designer of Paris's Eiffel Tower) while the copper sheeting was sculpted by French artist Frederic Auguste Bartholdi.
Lady Liberty wears a crown with seven spikes representing the seven seas and continents.
The torch covered in gold leaf symbolises enlightenment while the broken chains at her feet represent freedom from oppression and tyranny.
The tablet she carries is inscribed with the date July 4, 1776, the day the US officially declared their independence from the British Empire.
Art & Culture
Called 'the Met' by locals, the Metropolitan Museum of Art has one of the largest art collections in the world.
There are more than two million works of art at the Met, including the Ancient Egyptian Temple of Dendur, a reconstructed bedroom from a house buried when Mount Vesuvius erupted in 79AD in Ancient Rome, and paintings by Monet, Cezanne, and Rembrandt.
If classical art isn't your thing, cross the road to Central Park and enjoy live music, open air theatre or go horseback riding.
Know the city
New York is divided into five districts, each with its own vibe.
Manhattan is the city centre. It's where you will find the trendiest shops and restaurants, the stock exchange, Chinatown, and Greenwich Village where the city's artists live.
Brooklyn was once a city in its own right. Visit cultural centres such as the Brooklyn Museum and the Academy of Music, or go to the fun park at Coney Island.
Queens is in the centre of NY metropolitan area. Check out P.S. 1 Contemporary Art Centre for modern art and Five Points, a place for graffiti artists to show off their talent.
The Bronx is the birthplace of hip hop music and the home of the New York Yankees baseball team. It is also filled with excellent Italian restaurants.
Staten Island is a popular destination with tourists because you can take the ferry that passes by Liberty Island and offers incredible views of the Manhattan skyline.
Fab Facts
New York has adopted the beaver as its official animal, the ladybird as its insect, the rose as its flower, the snapping turtle as its reptile, and the sea scorpion as its fossil.
Quiz
Answer these questions. Try to do it without rereading the text.
1. New York is nicknamed...
a. the Big Apple
b. the Chess State
c. Liberty State
2. How many people live in NYC?
a. About 0.8 million
b. About 8 million
c. About 18 million
3. The Statue of Liberty is made from ...
a. steel and copper
b. steel and glass
c. iron and bronze
4. How many districts does
New York have?
a. Seven
b. Five
c. Three
5. The Met is a ...
a. palace
b. church
c. museum
6. What is New York's
official insect?
a. The beaver
b. The ant
c. The ladybird
Want to see more of New York but can't afford the fare? Visit http://www.iloveny.com and check out the city's popular attractions without leaving your chair.
Answers:
1.a; 2.b; 3.a; 4.b; 5.c; 6.c