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Times Square

geography Maturity 7-9 Next article →

Times Square is a famous part of New York City.

Times Square looking north from 44th Street
Times Square looking north from 44th Street

It sits in the Midtown Manhattan section of the city. This area is a major hub for business and fun. It is also a very popular place for tourists to visit. The area is shaped like a bowtie.

This shape happens because Broadway crosses Seventh Avenue at an angle. This intersection creates two triangles that stretch north and south. The southern part is the official Times Square. The northern part is called Duffy Square.

This place is one of the busiest spots on Earth. About 50 million people visit it every year. On its busiest days, over 460,000 people walk through the area. Many people use the subway to get there. The subway stations here are among the busiest in all of New York City.

Crowd awaits news of Dempsey - Carpentier
Crowd awaits news of Dempsey - Carpentier

They carry more than 200,000 passengers every single day. You will see many bright digital billboards and advertisements here. These lights stay on 24 hours a day. This makes the area glow even at night.

Times Square has a very interesting history. Long ago, the area was called Longacre Square.

Longacre Square, New York City, 1898
Longacre Square, New York City, 1898

In the 1800s, it was a place for making horse carriages. Some people even called it the "Thieves Lair" because of its reputation. In 1904, the name changed to Times Square. This happened because The New York Times moved its headquarters there. They moved into a new skyscraper called the Times Building. Today, that building is known as One Times Square.

The area is famous for big events and shows. It is the heart of the Theater District. Most Broadway theaters are located right here.

0480New York City Madame Tussauds crop
0480New York City Madame Tussauds crop

Every year, millions of people watch the New Year's Eve ball drop.

Times Square ball
Times Square ball

This tradition began on December 31, 1907. The first ball was made of iron and wood. It had 100 small light bulbs on it. Now, the event draws over a million people to the streets. It is also watched by over one billion people on digital media.

Many things connect to this special place. The intersection of Broadway and 42nd Street is a very important spot. It is the eastern end of the Lincoln Highway.

TKTS 47 st jeh
TKTS 47 st jeh

This was the first road to go all the way across the United States. It was formed in 1913 and stretched 3,389 miles. People also call Times Square the "Crossroads of the World." Some call it the "Center of the Universe." It is truly a place where the whole world seems to meet.

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🖼️ Images & Media (12)
File:Longacre Square, New York City, 1898.jpg
Longacre Square, New York City, 1898.jpg
File:Crowd awaits news of Dempsey - Carpentier.JPG
Crowd awaits news of Dempsey - Carpentier.JPG
V-J Day in New York City. Crowds gather...
File:Crystal Project video camera.png
Crystal Project video camera.png
File:New York-Manhattan-50-Times Square-1982-gje.jpg
New York-Manhattan-50-Times Square-1982-gje.jpg
File:42nd Street in New York.jpg
42nd Street in New York.jpg
File:0480New York City Madame Tussauds crop.jpg
0480New York City Madame Tussauds crop.jpg
File:Naked Cowboy in Times Square.jpg
Naked Cowboy in Times Square.jpg
File:TKTS 47 st jeh.JPG
TKTS 47 st jeh.JPG
File:Times Square ball.jpg
Times Square ball.jpg
File:Times Square - 49874280633.jpg
Times Square - 49874280633.jpg
File:Times Square looking north from 44th Street.jpeg
Times Square looking north from 44th Street.jpeg
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