From the beginning, geography has had a major impact on New York City. Because Manhattan is an island, there have always been limits on expanding horizontally. Therefore, certainly since the invention of the elevator in the late 19th century, the city had to grow vertically.
Since its founding as New Amsterdam intended trade has always played an important role in New York City’s economy. The city has almost always been a magnet for immigrants. From the early 19th to the early 20th century, 75 percent of all immigrants to the U.S. came through New York City.To this day, New York City continues to be one of the most diverse cities in the world. Over 30 percent of resident New Yorkers were born abroad. Fewer than 50 percent of New Yorkers speak only English at home.Relevant data for current and recent years is included below.