As America's economy boomed after World War I, New York emerged as the world's leading city.

The city was the capital of American finance, a major port, and a major immigrant destination.

It created the world's best-known skyline with an influx of skyscrapers, including the Chrysler Building in 1930 and the Empire State Building in 1931.

New York's population has soared to 23.7 million across the metro area, though it is now only the fifth-biggest city in the world.