As someone who grew up in a city surrounded by the Andes mountains, the idea of visiting the city of New York became a dream to fulfill. From the beginning I was impressed by Manhattan’s skyscrapers and the view of the skyline from far away. Famous attractions like Times Square, Central Park, the Empire State Building, and the Brooklyn Bridge instantly became places that I wanted to visit one day. Two years ago I was finally able to visit New York City and I was not disappointed. Besides the key attractions, I was particularly impressed by the diversity and rhythm of life of its citizens. As a native Spanish speaker, I recognized all sorts of accents from Spanish-speaking people who walked past me. I also noticed a tense atmosphere because
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During the 1860s, New York was already the largest city with a population of 813,000, but by the 1920s the population increased significantly to almost 8 million inhabitants. One of the main aspects that encouraged immigrants to travel to this land of opportunities was the reduction of costs in trans-Atlantic passenger travel. Other factors included better wages, safety, and religious tolerance, particularly for Jewish and Catholic immigrants (Glaeser). A significant rise in immigration occurred from 1850 through the early 1900s (Glaeser) from Germany, Ireland, and later from China, Italy, and Eastern Europe (“Immigrant Life in New York”). As of 2014, New York City recorded a total of 4.4 million immigrants, and it constitutes the second largest home to immigrants after California (“NYC Population”). After 1965, the city’s population was radically altered due to the growth of Hispanic/Latino immigration (Lobo 85). Although Puerto Ricans constituted the largest group of Hispanics, the city is now populated by immigrants from the Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Colombia, and Mexico …show more content…
In addition to the rise of manufacturing during the 1900s and the city’s dominance as a trading port, the most significant input was a diverse labor force. The growth of the American population created an agglomerating economy, which attracted both workers and entrepreneurs from all over the country. Even in the midst of an increase in crime, bad urban governance, and decaying infrastructure during the second half of the 20th century, New York’s economy remained strong because of its new orientation towards corporate management and finance (Glaeser). Today, New York City is still “the most important source of economic power and decision-making in the United States and the world” (corporate). Regardless of its competitors, the city maintains its position on top of the American metropolitan system because of its spatial influence and leader of the new information economy (Wheeler
During the 1860s, New York was already the largest city with a population of 813,000, but by the 1920s the population increased significantly to almost 8 million inhabitants. One of the main aspects that encouraged immigrants to travel to this land of opportunities was the reduction of costs in trans-Atlantic passenger travel. Other factors included better wages, safety, and religious tolerance, particularly for Jewish and Catholic immigrants (Glaeser). A significant rise in immigration occurred from 1850 through the early 1900s (Glaeser) from Germany, Ireland, and later from China, Italy, and Eastern Europe (“Immigrant Life in New York”). As of 2014, New York City recorded a total of 4.4 million immigrants, and it constitutes the second largest home to immigrants after California (“NYC Population”). After 1965, the city’s population was radically altered due to the growth of Hispanic/Latino immigration (Lobo 85). Although Puerto Ricans constituted the largest group of Hispanics, the city is now populated by immigrants from the Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Colombia, and Mexico …show more content…
In addition to the rise of manufacturing during the 1900s and the city’s dominance as a trading port, the most significant input was a diverse labor force. The growth of the American population created an agglomerating economy, which attracted both workers and entrepreneurs from all over the country. Even in the midst of an increase in crime, bad urban governance, and decaying infrastructure during the second half of the 20th century, New York’s economy remained strong because of its new orientation towards corporate management and finance (Glaeser). Today, New York City is still “the most important source of economic power and decision-making in the United States and the world” (corporate). Regardless of its competitors, the city maintains its position on top of the American metropolitan system because of its spatial influence and leader of the new information economy (Wheeler