Long Island (place)

Long Island was named in 1614 by Adriaen Block of Holland, who after sailing around the island and mapping it for the first time, noticed the amazing length of the land mass. After the existence of Long Island was realized in 1609 by Henry Hudson while searching for an alternative route to India, the West India Company began to create settlements on the western half of Long Island. These settlements give the origin of one of the current regions of Long Island, their names were Breuckelen, Amerfort, Midwout, and New Utrecht. The eastern half of Long Island was given to the Dutch, with the signing of the Treaty of Hartford in 1650. Fourteen years later, the British colonies forced the Dutch to sign away their land. With this change in ownership, New Amsterdam became New York, after the Duke of York. After this change of ownership, the areas names were changed to represent various people in England, creating Suffolk, Queens, and Kings counties.

In the early 1700’s, the first signs of a constant ferry were shown, creating a far easier way to travel and communicate between the colonies. Due to the creation of this ferry, the settlements Southampton, Southold, and East Hampton were all close to the water to allow for easier trade. The people living in this area were mostly tradesmen who were mainly farmers, who farmed melons, tobacco, grain, and pumpkins. The other common professions were whaling and fishing, fishing for clams, oysters, and crabs. These industries began to boom along with the creation of the ferries allowing for trade between Long Island and the mainland.

During the American Revolution, New York was an important strategic point due to its natural harbor and existing infrastructure. The British forces, led by William Howe easily defeated the troops defending New York in the Battle of Long Island. Through the rest of the American Revolution, Britain controlled New York. Long Island was used by the British as a port and as a base for British soldiers until their defeat.

Long Island today is a combination of four counties, Nassau, Suffolk, Queens, and Brooklyn. Due to their size on Long Island, only Nassau and Suffolk counties are referred to when talking about Long Island.

There are many fun things to do in Long Island for both adults and children, from clubs and bars to museums and other attractions. I will break this area down into various categories of things which can be done in long island.

Educational Centers:

• Cold Spring Harbor Whaling Museum - A family activity center that teaches its visitors about the seafaring history on Long Island.
• Cold Spring Harbor Fish Hatchery - A hatchery and aquarium where you can learn about the thirty different species of freshwater fish, and have fun viewing and feeding some of the various species.
• Long Island Children’s Museum - A great place where you can go with your children to see the history of Long Island made specifically with children in mind.
• American Air Power Museum - A museum featuring operational World War II fighter planes and an actual control tower.
• The Cradle of Aviation Museum - A museum featuring information on Long Island’s aviation history.
• Nassau County Museum of Art - A museum featuring various art styles and pieces of art, including the Tee Rider Miniatures Museum.

Attractions:

• Atlantis Marine World - Fun for the whole family in this amazing area where you can learn about sharks, touch the sting rays, and see horseshoe crabs.
• Clark Botanic Gardens - A 12 acre gardens with various species of trees, shrubs, and garden plants.
• Garvies Point Preserve - An amazing area full of trails for hiking and viewing of the natural beauty of Long Island.
• Sands Point Preserve - A vast area of forests, meadows, and cliffs open year round for hiking and walking.
• Old Westbury Gardens - A huge area of formal gardens with ponds and walks surrounding Westbury Mansion.
• The Amityville Horror - The events surrounding this real life horror took place in Amityville in Long Island

Long Island also features some of the best golfing in the country, featuring the Bethpage Black course which will be hosting the 2009 US Open. There are many other rich and intricate courses lined with spectacular housing to keep you talking with your foursome about the area for the duration of your game.

Long Island Iced Tea is one of the most famous products to come from Long Island. It is an alcoholic beverage which tastes almost identical to an average iced tea. The ingredients in the mixed drink are:

• 1/2 oz. Vodka
• 1/2 oz. Gin
• 1/2 oz. Light Rum
• 1/2 oz. Tequila
• 1/2 Lemon Juice
• 1 Dash of Cola

2000 Census Information^*

Population

Nassau:

• Total Population: 1,334,544
• Population, percent change, 1990 to 2000: 3.6%
• White persons, percent(a): 79.3%
• Black or African American persons, percent(a): 10.1%
• American Indian and Alaska Native persons, percent(a): 0.2%
• Asian persons, percent(a): 4.7%
• Persons reporting some other race, percent(a): 3.6%
• Persons reporting two or more races, percent: 2.1%
• Persons under 18 years old, percent: 24.7%
• Persons of Hispanic or Latino origin, percent (b): 10.0%

Suffolk:

• Total Population: 1,419,369
• Population, percent change, 1990 to 2000: 7.4%
• White persons, percent(a): 84.6%
• Black or African American persons, percent(a): 6.9%
• American Indian and Alaska Native persons, percent(a): 0.3%
• Asian persons, percent(a): 2.4%
• Persons reporting some other race, percent(a): 3.7%
• Persons reporting two or more races, percent: 2.1%
• Persons under 18 years old, percent: 26.1%
• Persons of Hispanic or Latino origin, percent(b): 10.5%

Size (in square miles)/Persons per Square Mile^*

• Nassau: 287/4,650
• Suffolk: 912/1,556.3
  
  ^*Source: U.S. Census 2000. U.S. Census Bureau.