new york - New York City is the most populous city in the United States and one of the major global cities of the world. The city's business, financial and trading organizations play a significant role in the economy of the nation and of the world and contribute to the largest regional economy in the country.[1] The city is also one of the world's most important cultural centers and is the home of the United Nations. New York is sometimes referred to as the world's greatest city. New York City has a population of 8.2 million within a land area of 321 square miles (830 km²),[2] making it the most densely populated city in North America. With a population of 18.7 million, the New York metropolitan area is one of the largest urban areas in the world.[3] The southwestern fringe of New York City is only 46 miles from the northeastern boundary of Philadelphia (and the downtowns of each are approximately 80 miles apart), creating an expansive metropolitan area with two of the five most populous cities in the United States in such close proximity. New York City has been a center of the world's financial system since World War II and home to many of the world's most influential stock markets and financial institutions. In addition, it is the birthplace of many American cultural movements, including the Harlem Renaissance in literature, abstract expressionism in visual art, and hip hop in music. The city's cultural vitality has been fueled by immigration since its founding by Dutch settlers in 1623. In 2005, 36.6% of the city's population was foreign born.[4] New York City is also notable for having the lowest crime rate among the ten largest American cities.[5]