The Narrows facts for kids

The Narrows is a natural waterway that separates two important parts of New York City: Staten Island and Brooklyn. It's like a big river channel that connects the Upper and Lower New York Bay. This channel is super important because it's where the Hudson River flows out into the huge Atlantic Ocean.

Scientists believe The Narrows was formed a very long time ago, around 18,000 years ago. This happened just before the last ice age ended. Back then, Staten Island and Brooklyn were actually connected! The Hudson River used to flow into the ocean through a different path, going through what is now northern New Jersey and the Raritan River.

But as the ice age ended, a lot of water built up in the Upper Bay. This water eventually broke through the land, creating The Narrows as we know it today. This big event happened about 12,000 to 13,000 years ago.

The first European to officially explore The Narrows was Giovanni da Verrazzano. He was an explorer from Florence, Italy. In 1524, he sailed into the strait and dropped anchor. He was met by a group of Lenape people, who came out to greet him in their canoes. Much later, in 1964, a famous bridge was built across The Narrows and named after him.

Images for kids

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  A satellite view of The Narrows.

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  View of The Narrows, 1832, by Karl Bodmer.

See also

In Spanish: The Narrows para niños