Melvin Ennis, age 12, of Utica, N.Y., for his question:
HOW LONG IS LONG ISLAND?
The largest island of the continental United States Is Long Island, located in the southeastern part of the state of New York. The island, which ranges in width from 12 to 23 miles, is 118 miles in length.
Long Island, which is separated from the mainland by the water of Long Island Sound, has a total area of 1,723 square miles.
Back before the white settlers arrived, Long Island was the home of the Algonquin Indians.
An English explorer by the name of Henry Hudson discovered Long Island in 1609. But the land wasn't settled until 1625 when a group of Dutch colonists arrived. They claimed the land and called it New Netherlands.
English and Dutch colonists quarreled about the ownership of the land for a number of years. Then in 1650 a treaty was signed, giving the Dutch the western part of the island and the English the eastern end.
The British were back in full force in 1664. They no longer wanted to just share the land. They captured Long Island and renamed it New York.
As part of the American Revolution, British forces defeated a troop of Americans in the Battle of Long Island in 1776.
Four counties make up Long Island: Kings, Queens, Nassau and Suffolk.
The New York City boroughs of Kings, or Brooklyn, and Queens make up the western end of Long Island. These boroughs are connected to Manhattan Island by a number of tunnels and bridges. The Triborough Bridge connects Queens with the Bronx, which is located on the mainland, as well as with Manhattan.
Nassau County is located east of the borough of Queens. This part of Long Island is made up of industrial sections and many residential areas.
At the far eastern end of the island is the country of Suffolk.
Long Island Sound is to the north of Long Island while the Atlantic Ocean is to the south. On the west is New York Bay and the Narrows.
Truck farming is an important Long Island industry. The land's soil and climate benefit the region's agricultural enterprises. There are many small farms.
Fishing and oyster farms are other important island industries.
Long Island took a large leap forward in 1844 with the completion of the Long Island Railroad from Brooklyn to Grsenport. This line made it easy to reach all parts of the island quickly. It was at this time that both Brooklyn and Queens became part of Now York City.
Long Island is a major resort area. There are many bathing beaches and other recreational facilities. Along the wooded northern shore are many summer homes where people enjoy sailing, swimming and fishing. The southern shore is also popular as a vacation region with good bathing beaches set among the sandy bare and lagoons.