<h1 style="text-align: center;">Staten Island, <em>New York City</em></h1>
<p>As one of New York&rsquo;s five boroughs, Staten Island is at the southern tip of both the state and the city. The area shares the same geographical confines as Richmond County and is presently home to around 500,000 people, a very sharp increase from 380,000 in 1990. Despite it being bigger than Manhattan and the Bronx in terms of square mileage, Staten Island has the least amount of people compared to its neighboring boroughs. Most of the inhabitants on the Island are Caucasians, with 35% of whites being of Italian descent.&nbsp;</p>
<p>Staten Island joined Manhattan, Queens, the Bronx, and Brooklyn as one of New York&rsquo;s five boroughs in 1898. Originally named Richmond, it was renamed in 1975 as Staten Island in honor of the Dutch parliament or Staten-Generaal as the island was considered Dutch territory throughout the 1600s.&nbsp;</p>
<p>Because of its smaller population and larger area, Staten Island is often a preference for those who want to live away from the hustle and bustle of the city but yet be close enough to work and school. The island has a large population of musicians and artists for this very reason as it is much more affordable but is close enough to the entertainment capitol of Manhattan. That isn&rsquo;t to say that Staten Island doesn&rsquo;t have its own art scene and attractions. A local council, Staten Island Arts, exists in order to support art and music within the borough. Filmmakers are especially organized in the area. Notable films shot on the island include The Godfather and A Beautiful Mind. In addition to its art scene, Staten Island is riddled with museums, including the Staten Island Botanical Garden and the National Lighthouse Museum. &nbsp;</p>