BROOKLYN

Brooklyn (named after the Dutch town Breukelen) is one of the five boroughs of New York City, located at the western end of Long Island. An independent city until its consolidation with New York in 1898, Brooklyn is New York City's most populous borough, with 2.5 million residents, and second largest in area. If the borough were a separate city, it would be the fourth-largest city in the United States. Since 1896, Brooklyn has had the same boundaries as Kings County, which is now the most populous county in New York State, and the second most densely populated county in the United States, after New York County (Manhattan).


Though a part of New York City, Brooklyn maintains a distinct culture, independent art scene, and unique architectural heritage. Many Brooklyn neighborhoods are ethnic enclaves where particular ethnic groups and cultures predominate.


Easy maritime access to the fine, sheltered New York Harbor has been instrumental in making Brooklyn one of the busiest ports in the United States, especially for international trade. The borough has a total water frontage of some 320 km (about 200 mi); developed facilities are concentrated in the northwest and handle large amounts of both foreign and domestic trade. Among the major imports are raw sugar, coffee, cacao, and spices, most of which are processed here before being transported elsewhere. Manufactures are diversified and include metal products, machinery, textiles, clothing, paper products, and electrical goods. Other important industrial activities include construction, transportation, and finance. During World War II (1939-1945), more than 70,000 men and women worked day and night building battleships at the Brooklyn Naval Yard. Closed in 1966, the former shipyard has been converted into an industrial park.

Population by neighborhood/Community Board:
Bay Ridge, Dyker Heights 122,542
Bedford Stuyvesant 143,867
Bensonhurst, Bath Beach 172.129
Borough Park, Ocean Parkway 185,046
Brooklyn Heights, Fort Greene 98,620
Brownsville, Ocean Hill 85,343
Bushwick 104,358
Canarsie, Flatlands 194,653
Coney Island, Brighton Beach 106,120
Crown Heights / South Wingate: 104,014
Crown Heights North 96,076
East Flatbush, Rugby, Farragut 165,753
East New York, Starrett City 173,198
Flatbush / Midwood 168,806
Park Slope, Carroll Gardens 104,054
Sheepshead Bay, Gerritsen Beach 160,319
Sunset Park, Windsor Terrace 120,063
Williamsburg, Greenpoint 168,338





Country
United States
State
New York
County
Kings
City
New York City
Settled
1634
Government
-Borough president
Marty Markowitz
Area
- Total
96.90 sq mi (251 km2)
- Land
70.61 sq mi (182.9 km2)
- Water
26.29 sq mi (68.1 km2)
Population
- Total
2,465,326
- Density
34,916.6/sq mi (13,481.4/km2)




SOURCE: - Wikipedia.
- Encarta.
- www.brooklyn.com