Queens County is part of Queens borough in New York City. It is located on Long Island and is the largest borough in New York City. It is bordered by Queens County, at its western tip, to the west, and Nassau County to its east. Queens shares water borders (via the Rockaways) with Manhattan, Staten Island, and Bronx boroughs.
With a population of 2,405,46464 at the 2020 census, Queens is second in New York State to Kings County (Brooklyn). It is also the second-most populous New York City borough. If it were a city, Queens would be the fourth most populous U.S. state. Queens is home to approximately 47 percent of its residents of foreign origin. Queens is home to the largest linguistic diversity on Earth, and it is also one of the most diverse counties in the United States.
History
Queens was a large area that provided plenty of food for Native Americans. The wild grew all over the island, including grapes, walnuts, chestnuts, and strawberries. Queens was home to many creeks and bays that provided shellfish and finfish, while the forest provided game and migratory fowl.
Long Island's Native Americans lived in small groups and followed an agricultural lifestyle, growing squash and corn.
These places include Jamaica, named after Jameco Indians; Rockaway, named in honor of Reckowacky Indians; and Maspeth, named in honor of Mespat Indians who lived at the headwaters Newton Creek.
Adrien Block, a Dutch East India Company sailer, passed through Hell Gate on the East River in 1614. He was the first European to see Queens and the first to discover that Long Island was an actual island.
His ship was destroyed in the Hudson River. He built a fort at Manhattan's tip and settled there. This settlement became New Amsterdam, the seat of the regional colony. In 1637 Governor Peter Stuyvesant began to grant land in Queens to various Dutchmen. Settlements started in the area known as Astoria and Hunters Point in Long Island City.
The Dutch settled the area, and Englishmen arrived from the east and north. The Dutch granted a charter to Englishmen if they pledged allegiance and took Dutch names for the colony. The Dutch government approved that some English from New England took over lands at Maspeth, near the Newtown Creek headwaters, in 1642. In 1642, the settlement was destroyed by the Native Americans and Dutch. Flushing (1645), Newtown (1652), and Jamaica (1656) were the next settlements.
Although English settlers could coexist with Native Americans, problems with the Dutch-led to Long Island's Indians; another factor was the 1658 smallpox epidemic, which claimed to have killed nearly two-thirds of the tribes living in the region. After the Anglo-Dutch War (1652-54), tensions rose between the English and Dutch.
The Dutch empire came to an abrupt halt in August 1664, when four English ships commanded by Richard Nicolls arrived at New Amsterdam harbor and demanded that James, Duke of York, surrender. The English renamed New Amsterdam "New York" and Long Island "Yorkshire" by the English. They replaced the Dutch colonial structure and divided the area into three ridings. Modern queens occupied Parts of the North-West ridings.
The new leadership was welcomed by most settlers, particularly the English. The settlers protested their lack of representation in 1669 and 1674. These protests resulted in a new governor and a permanent Provisional Assembly that would allow colonists to send delegates. The riding system was eliminated, and the territory was divided into ten colonies.
Queens was officially made a county on November 1, 1683, and became the first geographical entity. It was named after Queen Catherine of Braganza (wife of King Charles II). It included the area that is now Queens and Nassau. Each county was broken into smaller towns. Five towns were found in Queens County: Flushing, Jamaica Hempstead, Flushing, and Oyster Bay. Jamaica was the county seat.
Flushing Meadows Corona Park
Queens Park is a sprawling park that offers a wide range of activities. It houses remnants from two fairs and includes museums, biking paths, and playing fields.
Flushing Meadows-Corona Park is one of New York City's most historic and diverse public spaces. It is home to vibrant cultural and educational institutions and a piece of world history. The park covers 900 acres (364 ha).
Flushing Meadows is a large example of engineering ingenuity. It was built on top of an ash pile to make space for the 1939 World's Fair. It also hosted the 1964 World's Fair. As you walk along the tree-lined cycling and pedestrian paths, be sure to look out for memorials to these historic events. The iconic steel Unisphere, which is 140 feet tall (43 meters) and can be found in the park's center, is stunning.
You can also find other sculptures, plaques, and water features throughout this park that speak to its rich past. Although the green fields used to house pavilions representing nations around the globe, they now host more soccer and cricket matches by the immigrant communities living nearby.
At the park's northern border, sport and ceremonies meet. Tennis fans flood the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center to watch the annual U.S. Open. You can rent kayaks and bicycles at Meadow Lake, or you can head to the Aquatic Center's indoor ice-skating track in the northeast corner of the park. You can bring your children to eight different playgrounds located throughout the park.
Nearby institutions include the Queens Museum of art, history, and the New York Hall of Science. There are also many opportunities for arts, culture, and education. The Queens Zoo, which is small but very enjoyable, and the Queens Botanical Garden (39-acre (16-hectares) are two highlights. This garden groups plants by use and has a herb garden.
Flushing Meadows Corona park can be reached by subway from Mets-Willets Point, located at the park's northern edge and close to most attractions. Parking is available in some areas. The park is open all year. Summer events are free, and there are walking tours available. For information on hours and programs, visit the individual museums' websites.
The Flushing Meadows Corona Park is a great place to visit as it features many recreational activities and attractions including its famous Queens Zoo. This park also provides the perfect opportunity for those looking for an outdoor retreat from New York City's hustle and bustle. If you're thinking about visiting this beautiful nature reserve, be sure to take advantage of all that it has to offer!
