It is important to note and easy to forget, that first and foremost, Manhattan is an island and that its role as a harbor is what led it to become the great city that it is. By the early 1800s, after construction of the Erie Canal, NYC was an international port and the greatest shipping center between Europe and America (click here for article). Unlike cities like San Francisco or Portland, Maine where the maritime presence is very strong, one could easily go weeks, months or longer in NYC and never see or sense the water. But an island it is, and the urban density is a product of its limited and well-defined space. The five boroughs of New York City have evolved with distinct and unique characters, which to a large extent is due to their physical separation by water - all the boroughs are islands or part of islands except for the Bronx. Brooklyn and Queens are both on Long Island (and share a land border). This photo was taken from Christopher Street pier looking southwest down the Hudson River to the bay, Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island, and New Jersey. New York services many cruise lines, ferries and tour boats. The ship is the Norwegian Dawn - click here for a close-up photo. Although words such as isolation and vulnerability come to mind, somehow I find great comfort being on this small island...
Wednesday, September 27, 2006
Manhattan Island
It is important to note and easy to forget, that first and foremost, Manhattan is an island and that its role as a harbor is what led it to become the great city that it is. By the early 1800s, after construction of the Erie Canal, NYC was an international port and the greatest shipping center between Europe and America (click here for article). Unlike cities like San Francisco or Portland, Maine where the maritime presence is very strong, one could easily go weeks, months or longer in NYC and never see or sense the water. But an island it is, and the urban density is a product of its limited and well-defined space. The five boroughs of New York City have evolved with distinct and unique characters, which to a large extent is due to their physical separation by water - all the boroughs are islands or part of islands except for the Bronx. Brooklyn and Queens are both on Long Island (and share a land border). This photo was taken from Christopher Street pier looking southwest down the Hudson River to the bay, Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island, and New Jersey. New York services many cruise lines, ferries and tour boats. The ship is the Norwegian Dawn - click here for a close-up photo. Although words such as isolation and vulnerability come to mind, somehow I find great comfort being on this small island...
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5 comments:
GREAT Photos, Bravo superbe photo et tres belles couleurs. Cela donne envie de prendre le bateau
psychologically we're on our own little island too... it's def different here than on the mainland in many ways.
I know what you mean. I always sleep better in NY, whereas in LA I'm always a little anxious. No one gets abducted by aliens from Manhattan is the point, I think.
Great info and nice view. I was going to check my page from your site and neither Bob not I were on your list.
Your photo has a very nice light in the atmosphere and reflected on the water. The Norwegian Dawn looks impressive as she starts to steam her way out.
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