New York, NY (officially: City of New York) consists of 5 Boroughs that correspond to 5 administrative areas (Counties): Manhattan (New York County), Brooklyn (Kings County), Queens (Queens County), the Bronx (Bronx County) and Staten Island (Richmond County).

New York City is the largest City in United States. It is also the most diverse American City. More than 35% of Manhattan residents were born outside of US. Over 170 languages are spoken in New York City.

Total population of 5 Boroughs: 8,2 million.

More on this Wikipedia page.

When considering where to live, most New Yorkers choose locations along the subway line that can take them to work. The majority of New Yorkers use the subway system. It is fast and safe, easy to learn and offers more than 25 different lines that connect Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens and the Bronx.

New York's rail system is the largest in the World (by miles of track), trains run 24 hours, 7 days a week and over 4 million rides take place on NY subways every day. New York Subway system features unique 'Express Lines' that skip 'Local' stops and can cover a distance of 6 miles in 15 minutes. In Manhattan, most Subway lines travel along the Avenues - Park, then Lexington on the East side and 6th, 7th, And 8th Avenues on the West side. There are also Subway lines that move 'cross-town' on 14th and 42nd Streets and partially across 53rd and 59th Streets. Manhattan Subway stops are usually 8 to 10 City blocks apart.

Unlike old graffiti covered trains of the past, current Subway cars are modern and well marked. The Subway stations also went through a major upgrade in late 1990s. Traveling alone at night is common and safety is not an issue it used to be 15 years ago.

In addition to Subway, New York has an extensive number of Bus lines that greatly expand system's coverage. Buses are also always available 24/7. Both Subway and Bus maps are available for free at any subway station booth.

Using NY Subways and buses costs a fraction of what one would pay just for parking a car in NYC. Individual rides cost $2 and the monthly 'Metro Card', as the Subway pass is called, is $76 for unlimited number of rides on Subways and City buses. A weekly and daily unlimited versions are available as well. Metro Card is sold at all Subway stations and at many News Stands.

For a Subway Map, click here .

For Bus maps, also visit the MTA website.

For more on the Subway System, visit the New York City Transit website .

For more on NY Transportation System, visit this Wikipedia page.

For more info on NY Subway history, visit this Wikipedia page.

New York's grid street system was born in 1811. It was first proposed and adopted by the New York State in a 'Commissioners Plan of 1811' as a plan to help develop and sell available land in Manhattan. The original plan called for a grid of streets and avenues that would ignore Island's topography and create a uniform system that is based on reason. 16 numbered and lettered Avenues were to run (South to North) parallel to Hudson River and 155 numbered Streets were to cross the Avenues on the East-West axes. Plan called for buildings located on streets to be numbered East and West, starting from 5th Avenue.

The original plan was altered a number of times, most notably to allow for addition of Madison and Lexington Avenues. It was not until 1853 that the area between 5th and 8th Avenue and between 59th and 110th Street was set aside for Central Park. Nowadays, the Grid extends to the top of Manhattan at 220th Street.

The grid makes it easy to get around and almost impossible to get lost in Manhattan. It has became the best gift New York could offer to millions of its visitors.
For more information, visit this Wikipedia page.