Staten Island

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Staten Island
Borough of New York City
Nickname(s):  The Forgotten Borough
Coordinates: 40.5795°N 74.1502°W / 40.5795; -74.1502 Fatal error: The format of the coordinate could not be determined. Parsing failed.
Country	United States
State	New York
City	New York City
Area
• Total	58.5 sq mi (151.5 km2)
• Land	58.5 sq mi (151.5 km2)
• Water	0 sq mi (0 km2)
Population  (2020)
• Total	495,747
• Density	8,500/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

Staten Island is one of the five boroughs of New York City. Located in the southwest part of the city, it 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. With a population of approximately 495,747 as of the 2020 Census, it is the least populated of the boroughs but the third-largest in land area.

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 settlers 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 1674. Staten Island played a significant role during the American Revolutionary War, serving as a British military base.

Geography

Staten Island is characterized by its suburban nature, with a mix of urban and rural areas. The Staten Island Greenbelt is a large network of public parks and natural areas that provide a habitat for wildlife and recreational opportunities for residents.

Transportation

Staten Island is connected to Manhattan via the Staten Island Ferry, which provides free service across New York Harbor. The Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge links Staten Island to Brooklyn, while the Outerbridge Crossing, Goethals Bridge, and Bayonne Bridge connect it to New Jersey.

Demographics

Staten Island has a diverse population, with significant communities of Italian Americans, Irish Americans, and Russian Americans. The borough is known for its relatively high median household income compared to other boroughs of New York City.

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).

Culture and Attractions

Staten Island offers various cultural and recreational attractions, including the Staten Island Museum, the Staten Island Zoo, and the Snug Harbor Cultural Center and Botanical Garden. The Historic Richmond Town is a living history village and museum complex that preserves the island's colonial heritage.

Related Pages

• New York City
• Manhattan
• Brooklyn
• Queens
• The Bronx
• Staten Island Ferry
• Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge
• College of Staten Island