Staten Island

Staten Island
Borough of New York City
Location in New York City Location in New York City
Country	United States
State	New York
City	New York City
Settled	1661
Area
• Total	57.5 sq mi (149 km2)
• Land	57.5 sq mi (149 km2)
• Water	0 sq mi (0 km2)
Population  (2020)
• Total	495,747
• Density	8,600/sq mi (3,300/km2)
Time zone	UTC-5 (Eastern (EST))
• Summer (DST)	UTC-4 (EDT)
ZIP Codes	10301–10314
Area code(s)	718/347/929, 917

Staten Island is one of the five boroughs of New York City. It is located in the southwestern part of the city and is the southernmost part of both the city and the state of New York. Staten Island is separated from New Jersey by the Arthur Kill and the Kill Van Kull and from the rest of New York by New York Bay.

History

Staten Island was originally inhabited by the Raritan and other groups of the Lenape Native Americans. The first recorded European contact was in 1524 by the Italian explorer Giovanni da Verrazzano, who sailed into New York Harbor. The island was named "Staten Eylandt" by Dutch explorer Adriaen Block in 1614 in honor of the States General of the Netherlands.

In 1661, the first permanent Dutch settlement was established at Old Town. The island became part of the Province of New York in 1664 when the English took control of the Dutch colony of New Netherland. Staten Island played a significant role during the American Revolutionary War, serving as a staging ground for British troops.

Geography

Staten Island has a total area of 57.5 square miles (149 km²), all of which is land. The island is characterized by its hilly terrain, with the highest point being Todt Hill, which rises to 401 feet (122 meters) above sea level, making it the highest point in New York City.

Demographics

As of the 2020 census, Staten Island had a population of 495,747. The borough is known for its suburban character, in contrast to the more urbanized areas of the other four boroughs. Staten Island has a diverse population, with significant communities of Italian Americans, Irish Americans, and Russian Americans.

Government and Politics

Staten Island is represented in the New York City Council by three members. It also has its own Borough President, who is elected to a four-year term. The borough is part of New York's 11th congressional district.

Transportation

Staten Island is connected to Brooklyn by the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge and to Manhattan by the Staten Island Ferry, which provides free service between St. George and Whitehall Street. The island is also connected to New Jersey by the Outerbridge Crossing, the Goethals Bridge, and the Bayonne Bridge.

Education

Staten Island is served by the New York City Department of Education. It is home to several higher education institutions, including the College of Staten Island, a senior college of the City University of New York (CUNY).

Parks and Recreation

Staten Island is known for its extensive park system, which includes the Greenbelt, a network of contiguous parks and natural areas. Other notable parks include Clove Lakes Park, Silver Lake Park, and Conference House Park.

Notable People

• Christina Aguilera, singer and actress
• Paul Newman, actor and philanthropist
• Alyssa Milano, actress and activist

See also

• List of Staten Island neighborhoods
• Staten Island Greenbelt
• Staten Island Railway
• Staten Island Yankees