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New York. The United States today is a nation of urban dwellers






The United States today is a nation of urban dwellers. Almost 80% of the national population lives either within the formal boundaries of the cities or in the huge suburban areas which surround them. The influence of cities in modern America is great. From urban centres into the smallest and most distant rural villages flow many social and economic values, ways of making a living, clothing styles and manners and a modern technological spirit. As a result, many of once sharp distinctions that could be made between rural and urban ways of life no longer exist.

The largest and the most famous city in the USA is, of course, New York. It is also its main business centre and one of the most popular cities in the world. It has several famous landmarks, including the Statue of Liberty which greets every newcomer to the country, and the Empire State Building which was the first American sky-scraper that had more than 100 stories. The area in and around Wall Street is the financial centre of the USA, and the city is also famous for its theater productions in Broadway.

When people talk about New York City they are usually really talking about the island of Manhattan which contains most of the city business establishments, theaters, museums, and many expensive shops and hotels for rich tourists. It is difficult to believe that the settlers bought this island from native Indians only for a handful of colored stones and several looking-glasses. At the begin­ning of the 19th century Manhattan was mostly swamp, people lived in houses that were nothing more than rows of dark cages with no light, no running water or windows. According to police reports children died there simply from lack of fresh air. But by 1875 the population of New York was one million, 25 years later 3, 5 million, and now it is one of the most populous cities in the world.

New York is really a cosmopolitan city; it has more Jews than Israel and more Italians, Chinese and other nationalities than any other city in the world. It is a city of immigrants so in its streets you can hear practically every world language.

New York is not just one city, but many cities or villages crowded together in one place. There are business cities that die at 5 o'clock every day, neon pleasure cities with restaurants, cafes, bars, theaters and cinemas full of noisy crowds, and sad cities with no trees and flowers along the streets. There are extremely rich parts and poor neglected districts like Harlem and parts of the Bronx and Queens.

Some people think that New York is too busy and crowded, but many people love it because of а11 its excitement, entertainment and culture. It is sometimes called the Big Apple or the city that never sleeps, because it is never quiet and many people either work or go out to enjoy themselves at night

 






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