Ready for the storm?

[tampa24]

I really have been fascinated by the geography lesson here. For instance even though world geography is actually a strong point of mine, some U.S. geography I'm pretty weak on. For example I've heard of The Hamptons all my life. I've heard repeatedly throughout my life of Fire Island and how important it has been in the context of gay culture and history here in the U.S. But I freely admit I had only the vaguest idea of where those places were. Northeastern coastline certainly. But where exactly? I admit I didn't have a clue. haha Until now.

I knew that New York City had all these different "boroughs" (I really didn't know how many) and that Staten Island and Manhattan were separate islands within the boundaries of New York City. But I didn't realize how strangely the city is laid out on a map, by being on so many very separate land masses. Staten Island (and even Manhattan to some degree) looks like it could just as easily have been a part of New Jersey. Long Island looks like it could just as easily have been its own state. To the naked eye, the only borough that looks like it would be part of a New York "city" would be the northernmost one...The Bronx. As typical cities go, the borders of NYC are a very unusual combination of geographical and historical circumstances.



What started out as just a quick post to tease my friend Mikey (and poke the bear, lol) turned into my learning some valuable and interesting information about the city in which he lives.

 

[peterh6308]

It was pretty interesting getting around that HUGE city!!! With the exception of Staten Island everywhere else felt like one big place and not divided up. I did a little research prior to my visit and also found out each Burrough has it's own County, now thats crazy!!!

 

[mikeyank]

It was pretty interesting getting around that HUGE city!!! With the exception of Staten Island everywhere else felt like one big place and not divided up. I did a little research prior to my visit and also found out each Burrough has it's own County, now thats crazy!!!

You didn't tell me that you researched the city prior to your visit. I thought you learned it all so quickly because of my excellent teaching skills.

And considering that Brooklyn has a population of 2.592 million, so don't you think we are entitled to be our own county which is Kings County, not Queens County as I'm sure you were thinking Peterh! lol

 

[stowe1]

You didn't tell me that you researched the city prior to your visit. I thought you learned it all so quickly because of my excellent teaching skills.

And considering that Brooklyn has a population of 2.592 million, so don't you think we are entitled to be our own county which is Kings County, not Queens County as I'm sure you were thinking Peterh! lol

Hey, mikey, maybe the latter country is your true home - lol !!!

 

[stowe1]

Very true Stowe. Although Brooklyn is the largest borough of NYC, when I go to Manhattan I always say, "I am going to the city", even though I am already in New York City.

By the way, one of the key battles of the American Revolutionary War, (sorry for bringing that one up Jon, lol) but it took place right here in what is called Brooklyn Heights, but it was as still is referred to by many as "The Battle of Long Island".

And we have a beautiful museum and library in my neighborhood called The Brooklyn Historical Society, which was called The Long Island Historical Society when I first moved to the neighborhood.

There is no question Brooklyn is "on" Long Island geographically, but politically I am in New York City in Kings County and Long Island is comprised of Nassau and Suffolk County.

Mikey - It is interesting that you indicate that many people refer to the Battle of Brooklyn Heights as The Battle of Long Island. In various histories I've read it has always been referred to the B of BH. In fact, back in the dark ages when I was a Freshmen and sophomore in college (and no we didn't write with quill pens then) we were required to take ROTC. One course we had was Military History and it was also referred to as the B of BH. Maybe it is the Long Islanders who call it by the other name - lol !!!

 

[mikeyank]

Hey, mikey, maybe the latter country is your true home - lol !!!

I shall declare myself The Queen of Kings County!

 

[stowe1]

I shall declare myself The Queen of Kings County!

Works for me!! You are hereby crowned as such!!!

 

[joninliverton]

View attachment 13488

I really have been fascinated by the geography lesson here. For instance even though world geography is actually a strong point of mine, some U.S. geography I'm pretty weak on. For example I've heard of The Hamptons all my life. I've heard repeatedly throughout my life of Fire Island and how important it has been in the context of gay culture and history here in the U.S. But I freely admit I had only the vaguest idea of where those places were. Northeastern coastline certainly. But where exactly? I admit I didn't have a clue. haha Until now.

I knew that New York City had all these different "boroughs" (I really didn't know how many) and that Staten Island and Manhattan were separate islands within the boundaries of New York City. But I didn't realize how strangely the city is laid out on a map, by being on so many very separate land masses. Staten Island (and even Manhattan to some degree) looks like it could just as easily have been a part of New Jersey. Long Island looks like it could just as easily have been its own state. To the naked eye, the only borough that looks like it would be part of a New York "city" would be the northernmost one...The Bronx. As typical cities go, the borders of NYC are a very unusual combination of geographical and historical circumstances.

View attachment 13489

What started out as just a quick post to tease my friend Mikey (and poke the bear, lol) turned into my learning some valuable and interesting information about the city in which he lives.

Is it possible for someone to place the points of interest on the big map that Tampa provided. Things like the Statue of Liberty, the football and other famous stadius, central park etc etc. Even where the twin towers once were. thanks

 

[mikeyank]

I wish I knew how to mark it on Tampa's map but here are a few all in Manhattan with the Brooklyn Bridge on the south end:

 

[tampa24]

I found a pretty good map of Manhattan that includes Harlem (and East Harlem) as Peter was asking about. I've heard of Hell's Kitchen all my life and never really knew where it was in NYC either.

One thing that's helpful with smaller maps like these is to enlarge them by pressing the Cntrl key while at the same time scrolling the center of your mouse pad to make them bigger.

Isn't the Upper East Side supposed to be the most exclusive area where the richest people live? Or is it the Upper West Side?

If you look in the upper center, you'll see the location of the famous Central Park.

 

[tampa24]

This map shows the bottom southern half of Manhattan along with the Financial District. The World Trade Center is/was in the bottom left of the Financial District.



View attachment 13495

Ellis Island with the Statue of Liberty is over to the left. It's actually a little farther south of Manhattan than the map indicates.

 

[mikeyank]

I found a pretty good map of Manhattan that includes Harlem (and East Harlem) as Peter was asking about. I've heard of Hell's Kitchen all my life and never really knew where it was in NYC either.

One thing that's helpful with smaller maps like these is to enlarge them by pressing the Cntrl key while at the same time scrolling the center of your mouse pad to make them bigger.

Isn't the Upper East Side supposed to be the most exclusive area where the richest people live? Or is it the Upper West Side?

If you look in the upper center, you'll see the location of the famous Central Park.

View attachment 13493

I'm surprised at you Tampa. Don't you know your Jefferson's TV trivia?

Well we're movin on up,
To the east side.
To a deluxe apartment in the sky.
Movin on up,
To the east side.
We finally got a piece of the pie.

The upper East Side has always been known as the ritzy part of the city, but in the 70's and 80's the Upper West Side became pretty exclusive too. I've said it before, but if not for the rent stabilization laws, I would not be living in New York City at all.

And if you want some detailed pics of the various spots around the city, check out the "formite thread" from October of last year. You will see up close pics of Central Park, midtown and all around the town, and there are a couple of "hot dudes" featured on those pics too, well at least one handsome fellow admired by even the NYC Police Department. lol

 

[joninliverton]

Thanks guys. I'm a native New Yorker lol

 

[mikeyank]

Thanks guys. I'm a native New Yorker lol

 

[tampa24]

Hey Mikey,

Thanks for not getting on to me about my mistake with Ellis Island. Upon further research the Statue of Liberty is on Liberty Island. lol

 

[stowe1]

Hey Mikey,

Thanks for not getting on to me about my mistake with Ellis Island. Upon further research the Statue of Liberty is on Liberty Island. lol

See, I took a nice pill today - lol !!!

 

[tampa24]

See, I took a nice pill today - lol !!!

That was very kind of you Stowe! LOL

 

[tampa24]

Which two bridges are these Mikey?

I assume they go from the southeastern tip of Manhattan to Brooklyn. Right? So one of them has to be the famous Brooklyn Bridge?

 

[mikeyank]

Which two bridges are these Mikey?

I assume they go from the southeastern tip of Manhattan to Brooklyn. Right? So one of them has to be the famous Brooklyn Bridge?

View attachment 13505

View attachment 13506

The bridge on the lower part of the screen in both images is The Brooklyn Bridge that starts in my neighborhood of Brooklyn Heights, the one that Peter and I walked over to go to the World Trade Center. The bridge above that is The Manhattan Bridge. They both connect the boroughs as does a third bridge just north of The Manhattan Bridge and that is Williamsburg Bridge, so three bridges cross that small span of land, and The Brooklyn Battery Tunnel covres pretty much the same ground but under the East River.

 

[mikeyank]

The Brooklyn Bridge October 2014