Coney
Island is a peninsula in the
southernmost part of Brooklyn and a neighborhood of the same
name.
This place has an
interesting history and that's why has become very famous.
In the 19th century this area has become a beach resort for
wealthy American citizens, but at the end of the century the
area turned into a sinful place with gambling entrepreneurs
and prostitution and not surprisingly this has attracted all
sorts of bandits. In the same time also, at the beginning of
the 20th century, they started to build attractions and
amusement parks, so an increasing number of people,
especially middle class people, visited Coney Island. Until
World War II it was the largest amusement area in the world
and at its peak it contained three competing amusement parks.
After World War II and the world economic crisis the
amusement parks had to struggle for customers and in the 60s
housing projects were built in Coney Island, so the area
changed into a place with poor people and crime has risen
rapidly. The amusement parks closed down and Coney Island
turned into a no-go-area. The area has been revitalizing
lately, a small surviving amusing park, Astroland, is
expanding a little and the beach in Coney Island can attract
many people on hot summer days.
Coney Island is a
special place, and personally i think it has a strange
atmosphere which i like: A nice beach which is not very
touristical, many people from the neighboring Russian
community of Brighton Beach, the amusement park which seems
like shut down during off-season and the unattractive
housing projects give the area a special ambience.
Photos of the Beach >>
Color Photos of the Beach >>
Color Photos of Coney Island >>
