New York from above

• New York City from a height of

New York is often called the "capital of the world": it is "a city for everyone", has incorporated the features of different cultures, which is reflected in its appearance. The main feature of present-day New York - definitely skyscrapers. There are more than 500 buildings higher than 100 meters. For this indicator, the New York second only to Hong Kong. Most people come to get acquainted with New York, lifting his head up. But to fully appreciate the beauty of this city, it is necessary to look not from below but from above.

The city is relatively young, it was founded in the early 17th century Dutch kollonistami. Due to the abundance of natural channels and high water, it was originally called New Amsterdam - New Amsterdam. In 1664 the city without resistance, was captured by the English and renamed New York in honor of the brother of the King of England, Duke of York (Duke of York), initiated the capture of the city.

Manhattan (Manhattan)

The population of New York is more than 8, 4 million people. The most densely populated area of ​​the city (Manhattan) is located on the same island, 21 kilometers long. In 1626, Manhattan was purchased by a Dutch researcher Peter Minuitom Indian tribe for $ 24. Now the island is worth about $ 50 billion.

A large part of the island, with the exception of the historical southern part, built up on a rectangular plan. 16 streets, parallel to the Hudson River, dubbed "Avenue", and 155 cross numbered figures and called "Street". The exception is Broadway: it crosses almost all of Manhattan diagonally. Between the 5th and 8th Avenue (from 59th to 110th Street) has been allocated a place for Central Park.

Skyscrapers are the basis of modern architecture in New York.

During the first 200 years of New York followed Europe in architectural styles. Now in Manhattan did not survive a single building of the Dutch colonial period. Most perished in the great fire in 1776 and was demolished in the early XIX century. During the XVIII and XIX centuries. Main architectural direction was followed European trends. But with the emergence of cast iron, and with the advent of Art Deco skyscrapers, New York-based architecture has gone its own way.

The development of high-rise construction contributed to closure of the territory, the high price of land, as well as the presence of solid rock.

The history of skyscrapers in New York began with the construction of a building New York World Building in 1890 (destroyed in 1955). It was the first building that overcomes the height of 85 meter Trinity Church. Since 1890, 11 skyscrapers of the city bore the title of the tallest building in the world. New York was a very early boom in high-rise construction, the first wave of which began in the 1910s and lasted until the beginning of the 1930s. The second wave of high-rise construction began in 1960 and continues to date.

The Statue of Liberty (Statue of Liberty)

One of the most famous sculptures in the USA and in the world, often referred to as "a symbol of New York City and the United States", "symbol of freedom and democracy," "Lady Liberty". It is a gift of the French people to the centennial of the American Revolution in 1886. The statue is located on the same island, two miles from Manhattan.

The Goddess of Liberty holding a torch in her right hand and a tablet in her left. The inscription on the tablet reads "English. JULY IV MDCCLXXVI "(July 4, 1776), this date is the day of the adoption of the Declaration of Independence.

Height from the ground to the tip of the torch - 93 meters, including a base and a pedestal. The height of the statue, from the top of the pedestal to the torch - 46 meters.

Ellis Island (Ellis Island)

Located in the Bay of New York, it was the largest point of the reception of immigrants in the United States. From 1892 to 1954, 12 million people passed through it. Approximately one in two Americans today has in its family tree at least one person who was in the United States through this island.

Lower Manhattan (Lower Manhattan)

Battery Park (Battery Park) - one of the oldest recreational areas in New York. From here ferries depart to the island of Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty. The park's name comes from to be here in the XVII century Dutch gun battery which guarded the approaches from the ocean to the city. Since then, the coastline has changed as a result of excavation went further out to sea. After the destruction of the skyscrapers World Trade Center September 11, 2001 were brought here wreckage of buildings, which increased the area of ​​the park on 2 hectares.

This is the oldest part of the city, from here up today's New York.

World Trade Center 1 (1 World Trade Center) and the National Memorial and Museum "September 11" (National September 11 Memorial & Museum)

On this site once stood the Twin Towers. Now this is the memorial, which is the two largest man-made waterfall in the United States. 76 bronze plates attached to the parapet pools, engraved with the names of victims of 2983. The museum itself "September 11" is located under the waterfalls, at a depth of approximately 21 meters under the ground.

The height of the new World Trade Center - 541 meters. It is the third skyscraper tallest in the world after the Burj Khalifa and Abraj Al Bait, and the tallest building in the Western Hemisphere.

The Brooklyn Bridge (Brooklyn Bridge)

One of the oldest suspension bridges with a length of 1825 meters, it crosses the East River and connects Brooklyn to Manhattan. At the time of completion in 1883 it was the largest suspension bridge in the world.

Manhattan Bridge (Manhattan Bridge)

The two-storey bridge was built in 1909. On the upper level is the roadway for cars. On the lower level are the New York subway routes. By the way, New York is the largest metro in the world. It consists of 468 stations and carries about 8 million people a day.

Financial District (Financial District)

There are dozens of thousands of jobs, a significant part of which is presented by the largest stock exchanges and banks. The region has the highest population density in the daytime it reaches 378,000 people. / Km.

Wall Street (Wall Street)

It is considered the historical center of the Financial District of the city. The main attraction of the street - New York Stock Exchange. In a figurative sense, so called as the exchange itself and the entire US stock market as a whole.

25% of the world's supply of gold in the vaults of the Federal Reserve Bank on Wall Street.

Rowe Park (Park Row Building)

30-storey skyscraper height of 119 m from the date of completion of construction in 1899 was the tallest building in the world for nine years. In the construction of the building was used completely bearing steel skeleton, the invention of the Chicago school of high-rise buildings. It is noteworthy that the Park Row has only one decorated facade facing at City Hall Park. Other walls of the building are decorated with simple brickwork.

Woolworth Building (Woolworth Building)

Skyscraper in the Gothic Revival style, built in 1910-1913 gg., As the headquarters of the retail chain Woolworth Company, was the tallest building in the world as much as 17 years. 100 years after its construction it is still included in the list of the 50 highest skyscrapers United States - its height of 241 meters (57 floors). Woolworth Building was designed by architect Cass Gilbert. Construction at a cost of 13, 5 million dollars, and Woolworth paid this amount in cash.

The external decoration of the tower were made of terracotta architectural limestone panels. Columns go straight to the top of the pyramid and give the building its "honesty", so New Yorkers jokingly called the building "By pride of New York."

Civic Center (Civic Center)

Manhattan Municipal Building (Manhattan Municipal Building)

In 1898, after the unification of the five cities of New York lacked places for the government. In 1909 it was decided to begin construction of Manhattan Myunisipel Building, which was supposed to solve this problem. Three years later, 177-meter 40-storey building was ready and was the first skyscraper in the base of which is located underground station. The building served as a prototype for the Stalinist skyscrapers in Moscow (this is especially evident in the Moscow State University and in the high-rise on Kotelniki)

Union Square (Union Square)

Since the 19th century, there are a variety of protests and demonstrations, including demonstrations for the return of the Dalai Lama to China for the release of Mikhail Khodorkovsky and the creation of an independent Palestinian state.

Madison Square (Madison Square) - the area at the intersection of two streets: Broadway and Fifth Avenue.

From 1876 to 1882 in the park was a huge hand in the Statue of Liberty holding a torch - so the townspeople were asked to collect money to build a pedestal for the statue. In 1912, there lit illumination at the first New York public Christmas tree. In the park there is a monument to William Henry Seward. As US Secretary of State, Seward did everything to make the deal for the purchase of Alaska from Russia took place. He said that only the next generation will understand the importance of this acquisition. And so it was, when in Alaska found the gold, copper and oil.

Flatiron Building (Flatiron Building)

One of the most unusual skyscrapers of New York. Construction of the 82-meter building was completed in 1902.

The name of the Flatiron, translated as Iron - building was due to its triangular shape actually resembles an iron.

If it is a considerable height gives the impression of "not too stable." Exactly thought New Yorkers watching the erection of the building: people believed that the storm wind will certainly tumble down building, and bettors - how far will fly in this case fragments. Men of New York noticed a feature that when the north wind, which is building "cut" the edge, flows condescended on the walls and hitting the pavement, formed eddies, which ratcheted up ladies skirts above their heads. This feature is gathered around the building dozens of men, which every now and then dispersed by police.

Metropolitan Life Insurance Company Tower (Metropolitan Life Tower)

One of the most beautiful "Gothic" skyscrapers of New York. 50-storey tower built in 1909 in the image of the campanile of St. Mark's in Venice. Each side of the building is decorated with 8-meter watch with a 500-kilogram minute hands. Behind the tower stands the Metropolitan Life North Building (Metropolitan Life North Building). This massive building was designed in the 20s of the last century as a 100-story skyscraper. If the project has been implemented in its original form, then at some time in this building would be the tallest in the world. However, the stock market crash with the landslide falling shares in 1929 and the subsequent period of the Great Depression was not allowed to carry out this plan - the construction of the skyscraper had been suspended in 1933, at 29 floors.

Washington Square Park (Washington Square Park)

Once it was the cemetery for slaves and victims of yellow fever. Deep beneath the park lies about 20 thousand people to this day. Now, however, this park is a popular holiday destination. In 1889, in honor of the centenary of the inauguration of the first US President George Washington in the park was built a memorial archway made of wood and plaster, and already in 1892 the arch built of marble. From the park begins Fifth Avenue - the central avenue of Manhattan that separates its streets on the east and west sides.

Midtown (Midtown)

The Empire State Building (Empire State Building)

The most famous skyscrapers in New York. From 1931 to 1970, the Empire State was the tallest building in the world. This is the first building in the world, has more than 100 floors. His height - 381 meters, and with a television antenna, overbuilt in the 50s, it reaches a height of 443 meters.

It is hard to believe, but the 102-story Empire State Building was built in just 13 months!

Construction began in March 1930. Earlier, on the site, which was set aside for the Empire State Building, was the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel (Waldorf - Astoria). In November 1929 the hotel building was demolished, and from the site was taken over 16 thousand trucks of debris. We laid the foundation of the skyscraper in less than a month, and has already begun work on the construction of a steel frame of the building in April 1930. Each week, the Empire State Building grew by an average of 4 floors above, and in one of the peak moments of the construction became higher by as much as 14 and a half floors in just 10 days! The official opening took place on May 1, 1931, when US President Herbert Hoover turned on the lighting of the building by pressing the button in Washington.

observation deck on the 86 floor of the building is visited annually by up to three and a half million people, which was an important source of income during the Great Depression, when the building was nicknamed Empty (ie empty) State Building. Skyscraper did not return the cost of its construction until 1948.

The proof of structural strength of the building is the fact that when the July 28, 1945 twin-engine bomber United States Air Force B-25, piloted in thick fog, crashed into the building at a height of 79 floors, the building damage was limited to the external walls and the fire inside. The consequences were eliminated rather quickly, despite the fact that one of the engines of the aircraft flew through the whole building. Then killed 14 people. Lifter Betty Lou Oliver survived the incident after the fall of an elevator from the height of 75 floors - this achievement got in the Guinness Book.

At the beginning of his use of the building steeple intended use as a mooring mast for dirigibles. However, the idea of ​​the air terminal was declared bankrupt for security reasons (strong and unstable air flow at the top of the building did berthing very complex, and after the first attempt, it became clear that this utopian idea). None Zeppelin never approached the building.

In 1964 the tower was installed floodlighting system in order to highlight the apex in colors corresponding to any events, memorable dates and holidays. Since then, the building lighting is becoming a unique spectacle: every day of the week has its own color, and on holidays and important dates illuminated skyscraper special color combinations.

The observation deck of the Empire State Building, located on the 86th floor, is one of the most popular viewing areas in the world. In total it was visited by over 110 million people. It is worth noting that during the entire operation of the building there were more than 30 suicides. In 1947, around the observation site was erected a fence, because just three weeks 5 suicide attempts has been made here. In 1979, Ms. Elvita Adams decided to settle accounts with life and jumped from the 86th floor. But the wind threw Miss Adams on the 85th floor, and she escaped with only a broken hip.

Neighborhood Bryant Park (Bryant Park)

The New York Public Library (The New York Public Library)

One of the largest libraries in the world. In total the library system funds contain more than 50 million items (books, videos, maps, and so on. D.), Of which more than 20 million represented book.

Radiator Building (American Radiator Building)

The skyscraper was built in 1924. Then, to add glamor facade, exterior brick walls before laying dipped in a manganese to those darkened. Now in Bryant Park hotel is located building.

Bank of America Tower (Bank of America)

This is the third tallest building in New York after the Empire State Building and the Freedom Tower and the fifth tallest in the United States - 366 meters.

Building MetLife (MetLife Building, until 1981 Pan Am Building)

Until 1981 control airline Pan American World Airways was located in the building. Since 1981, the building bought Metropolitan Life Insurance Company, in connection with which changed its name. Under the building is located platforms Central Station New York (Grand Central Terminal). By the number of platforms (44) and means (67) is superior to any other station of the world

Midtown East

Chrysler Building (Chrysler Building)

One of the most famous and recognizable skyscrapers in New York. Unusual as the appearance of the 77-storey building and the history of its construction.

The building was constructed in 1930 at a rate of 4 floors per week, is actually a race with another skyscraper, located in Lower Manhattan, at 40 Wall Street, known today as the Trump Building. Architects competed for the title of the creators of the world's tallest building and make design changes directly in the construction process. At the last moment the architect William Van Allen agreed with the authorities on the roof of town accommodation building 38-meter steel spire and kept this fact a secret until the end of construction and the beginning of installation of the spire on the roof of a skyscraper. The visible part of the spire of the Chrysler Building was installed in just 90 minutes. William Van Allen won thus the architect title of the tallest building in the world, but kept it a total of 11 months - until May 1, 1931, when completed construction of a skyscraper Empire State Building.

Chrysler Building is an example of Art Deco architecture. The ornamentation of the tower follows the design motifs caps on discs wheels car "Chrysler" at that time. The corners of the 61st floor is decorated with eagles - they were portrayed on the hood of Chrysler car in 1929.

In 2007, the Commission for Architecture in New York identified skyscraper "Chrysler", "The most beautiful skyscraper in Manhattan"

A bright shining quarters - is "the heart of Manhattan"

Times Square (Times Square)

One of the most popular and frequently visited places in New York. The area got its name in April 1904 after the newspaper "New York Times" moved its headquarters to the building constructed on the eve of Times Building, which is now called One Times Square and is the site of the annual ball drop on New Year's Eve.

Broadway theaters, a huge number of bright neon signs and signage in television style made Times Square one of the essential characters turbulent life of New York. This is the only area of ​​the city, where its inhabitants are required to exhibit the bright billboards.

The area has the nickname "the crossroads of the world", the "Great White Way", is an iconic landmark of the world, a symbol of New York City and the United States.

Times Square is visited annually by more than 39 million tourists and 300 thousand. People daily.

Madison Square Garden (Madison Square Garden)

Venue of international competitions in several sports and the home arena for the NBA and NHL teams. The capacity of the arena varies depending on the type of event: from 18,200 seats to hockey matches and 20,000 places during concerts. Under the stadium is Penn Station (Pennsylvania Station), in use Penn Station (Penn Station) - one of the busiest railway stations in the world.

The New Yorker Hotel (New Yorker Hotel)

Throughout the 1940s and 1950s. the hotel was one of the most fashionable. Many notable personalities such as Spencer Tracy, Joan Crawford and Fidel Castro stayed here. The inventor Nikola Tesla spent his last ten years of life in seclusion in Suite 3327, where he died, mainly devoting his time feeding the pigeons and the occasional meeting with celebrities.

Rockefeller Center (Rockefeller Center)

A large office complex, which was built in 1930 on the money of the Rockefeller family. It was named in honor of John D. Rockefeller, Jr.. The best known are 14 high-rise buildings for sale in an art deco style. Here are the headquarters of various corporations and the largest yield auction house "Christie's". In 1989, the Rockefeller Center, Rockefeller bought out the Japanese Mitsubishi group companies.

In the center of the complex is the Lower Plaza playground, where every Christmas tree set the main city.

Building General Electric Building

70-story skyscraper located in the center of the complex, formerly known as RCA Building, but is commonly known as 30 Rock. The building housed NBC headquarters, where they filmed many series and transmission. For tourists, there are tours to help you get behind the scenes of the most famous TV shows and serials NBC.

At the top of a skyscraper is a viewing platform, called Top of the Rock. It is second in height observation platform of the Empire State Building, but many believe that with the Top of the Rock offers the best panoramic views of New York.

St. Patrick's Cathedral (St. Patrick's Cathedral) - the largest built in the neo-Gothic Catholic church of the USA.

The traffic on Sixth Avenue

Citigroup Center (Citigroup Center, formerly Citicorp Center)

An interesting feature - right under the building there is a small Lutheran church. In deference to the cathedral and its parishioners architects demolished it, and went on a remarkable step - the building was built on a large stand as upright. Get enough kind of community: a small cathedral, and above it, on tall poles - giant skyscraper. It is noteworthy that the supports are not in the corners and in the middle of each side face of the building. In 2002, one of the columns has been reinforced resistant shields made of steel and copper, for the protection of buildings in connection with the attack.

Lipstick Building (Lipstick Building)

Color and shape of the 34-storey residential skyscraper is so like the lipstick that he immediately called Lipstick Building - House lipstick.

The hotel "Waldorf Astoria" (Waldorf Astoria)

The original hotel under this name was opened in the late XIX century and demolished in 1929, and in its place the Empire State Building was built. Construction of a modern building, the Waldorf-Astoria in height and 47 floors with a capacity in excess of 1, 4 ths. Numbers was completed in 1931. The hotel stayed Marilyn Monroe and Ella Fitzgerald, here filmed the movie "Scent of a Woman", for the main role in which Al Pacino received the "Oscar" in 1993.

432 Park Avenue

Under construction the highest residential skyscraper in the world (not yet completed the construction of 117-storey "World One" in Mumbai (India)). The building has 96 floors, 426 meters, it will be located 104 apartments cost from $ 7 to $ 95 million.

75-storey skyscraper One 57

Great Army area (Grand Army Plaza)

The area is located at the intersection of Fifth Avenue and 53rd Street. Right photo shows the building on the five-star hotel "Plaza" (Plaza Hotel)

The hotel has been involved in the shooting of various films, such as "Home Alone 2: Lost in New York". In February 1964, in the "Plaza" stop band "The Beatles" during his first visit to New York.

Midtown West

Columbus Circle (Columbus Circle)

The area of ​​the south-west corner of Central Park, at the intersection of Broadway and Eighth Avenue. In the center of the square stands the monument to Columbus. This monument was erected in 1892 to celebrate the 400th anniversary of the discovery of America. For New York City is a kind of zero kilometer.

Parque Central (Central Park) - a green oasis situated between the densely built neighborhoods.

Park length - about 4 km long - approximately 800 meters, the total area - 3, 41 km square. For comparison - this is nearly twice the area of ​​State of Monaco.

Sheep Meadow (Sheep Meadow)

The park is visited by about 25 million people a year, making it the most visited park in the United States.

The creation of the park was engaged landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted. The work did not stop even during the American Civil War and was fully completed in 1873.

Bridge Bow (Bow Bridge)

Despite the fact that the park looks very natural, almost all the landscapes created by hand. Central Park has several artificial lakes, a large number of alleys, two ice skating rink, the corners of untouched wildlife and lawns used for various sports, as well as children's playgrounds and a zoo.

Reservoir behalf of Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis (Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis Reservoir)

"Dakota" (The Dakota) Built in 1880-1884, respectively, the building from the very beginning was an apartment building "premium". The greatest fame it acquired when December 8, 1980 in the arch of the house fan Mark Chapman shot immigrated to the US cult British musician John Lennon. Now, to buy an apartment in "Dakota", you need to enlist the support of the residents committee, which recently refused Antonio Banderas and Melanie Griffith, was hoping to buy apartments here.

In the streets around the Central Park, the most expensive home in New York. Some of the apartments are worth $ 20-30 million, with the purchase of their not so simple. Even if the free market will be flat, not the fact that the local residents of the conservative Council to endorse your candidacy.

San Remo (San Remo)

In this house we lived in different times, many celebrities - Steven Spielberg, Tiger Woods, Dustin Hoffman, Bruce Willis and Demi Moore. From 1982 to 2003, in the north tower apartment buildings were owned by Steve Jobs, who later sold it to Bono - lead singer U2 - for $ 15 million.

Queensboro Bridge (Queensboro Bridge)

Split-level cantilever bridge built in 1909 across the East River. two pedestrian passage, cycle path and two paths of the railway situated on its upper tier. The lower level has a four-lane traffic. Near the bridge passes Roosevelt Island Tramway - cableway, stretched out over the East River, which connects Roosevelt Island and Manhattan.

United Nations Headquarters (Headquarters of the United Nations)

United Nations (UN) - an international organization of states, created in order to maintain and strengthen peace, security and development cooperation between the two countries. The UN currently ranks 193 countries (including the Russian Federation).

Aircraft carrier "Intrepid" (USS Intrepid)

US aircraft carrier type "Essex" since the Second World War. The name of the aircraft carrier is translated into Russian as "Fearless." The ship is moored to pier 86 in New York City and is a naval and aerospace museum, which is visited by thousands of tourists since 1982 year.

The museum's collection includes artifacts such as the Concorde supersonic passenger aircraft, reconnaissance aircraft Lockheed A-12, the spacecraft NASA space shuttle "Enterprise", the submarine USS Growler and more.

Chelsea Piers (Chelsea Piers).

Titanic on its maiden voyage in 1912, had come to the pier 59 (rightmost). Evening, April 18, 1912 it came to the pier with Carpathia rescued the passengers of the Titanic and unloaded lifeboats picked up in the ocean. And only then it is moored to his 54 at the pier to release the people on the shore.

Verrazano Bridge (Verrazano-Narrows Bridge)

One of the world's largest suspension bridges, connecting the districts of New York Brooklyn and Staten Island. The length of the central span of the bridge is 1, 3 km. The bridge was built in 1964 and named after the Italian explorer Giovanni da Verrazzano, the first European who came into the bay of New York and the Hudson River.