- published: 31 Dec 2012
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Staten Island /ˌstætən ˈaɪlənd/ is a borough of New York City, United States, located in the southwest part of the city. Staten Island is separated from New Jersey by the Arthur Kill and the Kill Van Kull, and from the rest of New York by New York Bay. With a population of 468,730, Staten Island is the least populated of the five boroughs but is the third-largest in area at 59 sq mi (153 km2). The Borough of Staten Island is coextensive with Richmond County, the southernmost county in the state of New York. Until 1975, the borough was officially named the Borough of Richmond. Staten Island has been sometimes called "the forgotten borough" by inhabitants who feel neglected by the city government.
Staten Island is overall the most suburban of the five boroughs of New York City. The North Shore — especially the neighborhoods of St. George, Tompkinsville, Clifton, and Stapleton — is the most urban part of the island; it contains the officially designated St. George Historic District and the St. Paul’s Avenue-Stapleton Heights Historic District, which feature large Victorian homes. The South Shore has more suburban-style residential neighborhoods. The East Shore (South Beach) is home to the 2.5-mile F.D.R. Boardwalk, the fourth-longest in the world. Historically, the central and southern sections of the island were dominated by dairy and poultry farms, almost all of which disappeared in the 20th century. Staten Island used to claim the largest landfill in the world. It was closed in 2001, then shortly afterward temporarily reopened to accept the debris from the September 11th attacks. The landfill is being made into what will be New York City's largest public park.
We sailed our ship down the Hudson River
To the wild Atlantic we said farewell
On Staten Island when we landed
There we had our tale to tell
We're the poor, the huddled masses
We have crossed the lonely sea
Left the Old World for the New World
Left the old ways to be free
We left our homes in forty-seven
Turned our backs against the wind
From our ships of creakin' timber
We bid farewell to a famished land
We're the poor, the huddled masses
We have crossed the lonely sea
Left the Old World for the New World
Left the old ways to be free
With heavy hearts we left behind us
Memories of better days
Old men talkin', laughin'
As we danced the night away
We're the poor, the huddled masses
We have crossed the lonely sea
Left the Old World for the New World
Left the old ways to be free
Still we hear their voices calling
On the wind we hear their sound
Friends and loved ones, old and young ones
Lie beneath the fallen mound
We're the poor, the huddled masses
We have crossed the lonely sea
Left the Old World for the New World
Left the old ways to be free
Now those years are far behind us
Now our spirits have grown strong
In this land that gave us freedom
And the will to carry on
We're the poor, the huddled masses
We have crossed the lonely sea
Left the Old World for the New World
Left the old ways to be free
We're the poor, the huddled masses
We have crossed the lonely sea
Left the Old World for the New World