The City of Yellow Devil, ?the Big Apple?, the capital of the world, which is not even the capital of its own country? New York? You can characterize it in different words and your attitude to it can be different too: you can love it or hate it (and these two contradictory feelings can be experienced at one and the same time), but its impossible not to admit the magnificence of New York. Dutch migrants who bought Manhattan for some 24 dollars in the 17th century could not expect what the island would grow into. None of the world cities has so many model-looking people and in none of the cities there are fitness centers overcrowded with visitors at 5 am already! New York is a special world with the life rhythm and the life style different from those of the rest of America and the whole world.



Probably that is the reason why terrorist attacks were aimed at New York. They did realize that there is no other city in the world like the Big Apple. It's the city of the millionaires and the insane, rootless emigrants and representatives of the most aristocratic families in the world, poets and homeless, beginner secretaries who look like Miss Universe and clerks wearing diamond tiepins. They rush around in the Manhattan office hell keeping hectic rhythm for almost 24 hours a day, and their only aim is to earn as much as would be enough to leave this crazy reserve of endless opportunities. Others strive to get to New York just to live in inhuman conditions which will hopefully get them to the radiant future, often called ?The American Dream?.

If you're lucky enough to get to New York as a tourist, you might want to visit its world known attractions. Here is a list with some of them.

The Empire State Building is the highest point of the New York City, located in one of Manhattan's liveliest spots. It is 430 meters high and has 108 storeys. On the upper floors there are two areas excellent to enjoy the beautiful New York sites. Plus to this, you can visit a ?Manhattan Skydive? attraction with a virtual trip around the city's main skyscrapers.

Statue of Liberty was presented to New York by France in the middle of the 19th century. For a long time it has been the symbol of the city and the ?pilgrimage spot? for many tourists. Tourists are delivered to the island by a small motor ship. A visit to the Ellis Island Immigration Museum is usually included in the tour.

Times Square. You might have seen it on many photographs. The name of the square originates from the name of the ?New York Times? newspaper, as the newspaper's operations was situated here once. Thanks to its glaring illumination the Times Square is considered to be the most ?festive? square in the city. People gather here for the New Year's countdown, and the MTV Networks headquarters is located here as well. Travelers are advised to visit Square Sovenir Shopping, New York's largest souvenir shop.

The New York Stock Exchange (NYSE), nicknamed the "Big Board" is a famous building located at 11 Wall Street, which in some respect defines the economic development of the whole planet. But despite its particular business significance you can make a tour around the building. While your excursion you will even see brokers work (don't worry, they won't see you).

New York is not only the business centre, but also one of the largest world culture capitals. It is thanks to New York that a new style in dramatic art was born. Even is you don't like theatre, you should visit famous Broadway musicals. There are lots of small theatres on the avenue, with actors more skillful than some of Hollywood stars.

Madison Square Garden is located in the very centre of Manhattan and besides its utilitarian meaning its also one of New York's ?sacred places?. These are four arenas where many musicians, artists and singers performed their concerts and where many important games took place. Whenever there is an important concert in New York, you can be assured that it takes place at The Garden.

I won't name all the attractions in New York ? the list would be too long. But the ones I just listed are the most important ones and a good starting point for every tourist. Good luck with your trip!