New York City, often referred to as New York, is the most populous city in the United States. It sits at the southern tip of New York State on New York Harbor, one of the world's largest natural harbors. The city comprises five boroughs—Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx, and Staten Island—each coextensive with its respective county. It serves as the geographical and demographic center of the Northeast megalopolis and the New York metropolitan area.

The area was originally inhabited by Munsee-speaking Lenape people. Dutch colonists established Fort Amsterdam in 1624, creating the first European settlement named New Amsterdam in 1626. The city came under English control in 1664 and was renamed New York after Charles II granted the lands to his brother, the Duke of York. The modern city was formed by the 1898 consolidation of its five boroughs.

Anchored by Wall Street, the city is a global center for finance, commerce, culture, technology, and international diplomacy as home to the United Nations headquarters. It is known for its fast pace and continuous urban energy. Iconic landmarks include the Statue of Liberty, the Empire State Building, Times Square, Central Park, Yankee Stadium, and Coney Island. The city features a diverse skyline and neighborhoods that have become ingrained in American consciousness.

New York is a global hub for media, entertainment, art, fashion, research, and trade. It hosts world-class museums, art galleries, and theaters, with many large corporations headquartered there. The city attracts travelers for its culture, energy, and cosmopolitanism. Immigrants from over 180 countries live here, contributing to its status as one of the most linguistically diverse cities in the world.

The population was 8,804,190 as of 2020. The New York metropolitan area has the largest economy in the world, with a gross metropolitan product over US$2.44 trillion as of 2024. It leads the world in urban automobile traffic congestion despite having a 24/7 rapid transit system. The city is also home to the highest number of billionaires and millionaires of any city globally.