Guide Note

Manhattan is a borough of New York City that includes Manhattan Island as well as several smaller islands. Although it comprises only seven percent of the city by area, Manhattan contains nearly 20 percent of its population. The United Nations, New York Stock Exchange and Bryant Park are all located in Manhattan.

Fast Facts

1. Originally settled by Lenape Indian Tribe
2. Colonized by Dutch in 1624
3. First part of New York City to be settled
4. Contains four Congressional Districts
5. 2006: Scott Stringer elected Borough President
6. Borough name comes from Lenape word meaning "island of many hills"

Manhattan itself is nearly as iconic as New York City as a whole. There are numerous references to and about Manhattan in music, movies and popular culture.

1. The Manhattan Transfer: Jazz singing group
2. Manhattan: 1979 Woody Allen movie
3. Manhattan clam chowder: Tomato-based clam soup
4. The Muppets Take Manhattan: 1984 Jim Henson movie
5. "Manhattan": 1925 song by Richard Rodgers and Lorenz Hart