New York – Mega-city Assignment

The map of New York. As you can see, it has a coastline.

The map of the urban area of New York. The metropolitan area of New York actually includes Northern New Jersey as well.

1. The geographical location of the mega-city

New York City is located in the Northeastern United States, in southeastern New York State, approximately halfway between Washington and Boston. Because it is located near the mouth of the Hudson River (which feeds into a naturally sheltered harbor and then into the Atlantic Ocean) the city has grown into a significant trading city over the years. New York is mainly built on Manhattan, Staten Island, and Long Island, making the population density high (because there are not much land).

2. The current population of the mega-city

The population of New York was 18,897,109 people as of 2010.

3. How the population of the mega-city has developed over time

The region was inhabited by the Lenape Native Americans at the time of its European discovery in 1524. European settlement began with the founding of a Dutch fur trading settlement (on the southern tip of Manhattan) in 1614.

By 1700, the Lenape population had diminished to 200. In 1702, the city lost 10% of its population to yellow fever. Over the years, New York grew in importance as a trading port while under British rule. Also, in the 19th~early 20th century, the city was transformed by immigration and development. Through Ellis Island, many immigrants came into New York, and as a result, the population gradually increased.

4. Why the coast has been historically important for the mega-city

The coastline of New York was very useful when trading. As mentioned before, New York started out as a fur trading settlement. The reason why New York was able to become such a successful trading settlement is because it had a coastline.

Also, many immigrants came into New York by ship because there was a coastline. As mentioned before, these immigrants affected the population of New York greatly.

Overall, the coastline of New York had a immense effect on the history and population of the city.

5. Why the coast is currently important for the mega-city

-Ports for shipping and trading: this causes New York’s economy to increase

-Transportation (also helps tourists)

-Provides nutrients for marine life

-Diversity of plants, animals, and insects which is crucial for the food chain

6. Current problems that the coast causes for the mega-city

-Coastal erosion results from beach: ocean interaction coupled with human activity. Wind, waves, and long shore currents are the driving forces behind coastal erosion.

-Coastal erosion poses many problems to coastal communities when valuable property is lost to erosion. Additionally, human activity may worsen the process of coastal erosion through poor land use methods.

7. Future coastal issues for the mega-city

-Continuous exposure to the elements can result in erosion of buildings.

-Small natural disasters (such as floods). There are many small floods in New York.

There are sometimes floods in New York

-Global warming: if the sea level rises it can flood the city

• Flooding from upland runoff, high lake levels and storm-induced surge (temporary water level changes)
• Erosion of coastal bluffs, banks, beaches and near shore lake beds
• Damage to shoreline structures from storm waves

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