STATEN ISLAND

Verrazano-Narrows Bridge, New York City. island and borough, New York City, southeastern New York state, U.S. The island lies in New York Harbor south of Manhattan and between New Jersey and Brooklyn. With several smaller islands it forms Richmond county and the Staten Island borough of New York City. Roughly triangular, the island has about 35 miles (56 km) of waterfront and an area of almost 60 square miles (155 square km). It is connected with Manhattan by the Staten Island Ferry, which carries passengers and automobiles; with New Jersey by several bridges; and with Brooklyn by the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge (see photograph). The opening of the latter in 1964 added considerable impetus to the development of the island. Attempted European colonization of the island, which was occupied by Unami Indians of the Delaware tribe, began in 1630 by the Dutch. Indian attacks dispelled permanent settlers until 1661, when the Dutch West India Company granted lands to French Waldenses and Huguenots and a colony was established at Oude Dorp (Old Town), a few miles south of The Narrows (the channel separating the island from Brooklyn). The island was named for the Staten-Generaal (States General) of the Dutch Republic. Following the acquisition of New Netherland in 1664 by Great Britain, English and Welsh farmers established homes and farms on the island. The Billopp, or Conference, House in Tottenville was the scene (Sept. 11, 1776) of talks between representatives of the Continental Congress and the British in an unsuccessful attempt at reconciliation during the American Revolutionary War. In 1898 Staten Island became one of New York City's boroughs. Staten Island is mostly residential but has some industries, notably manufacturing, shipbuilding, oil refining, and metalworking. It is the seat of Wagner College (founded 1883 in Rochester, moved in 1918) and the College of Staten Island of the City University of New York (1955) and is the site of the Staten Island campus (1971) of St. John's University, New York. Points of interest include the Staten Island Institute of Arts and Sciences, Jacques Marchais Center of Tibetan Art, Richmondtown, Staten Island Zoo, and High Rock Park Nature Conservation Center. Pop. (1990) 378,977.