See Also: Queens(dictionary)
Queens(encyclopedia)
Queens Counsel(law)
Queens Over - Poker(gambling)
Queens Up - Poker(gambling)
Queens Bench Division(law)
Queens-Midtown Tunnel, the(dictionary)
Queens Full - Poker(gambling)
QUEENS POSTAL Credit Union(finance)
Somerset Queens Gate Gardens(tourism)

Queens (sh)




Borough (pop., 2000: 2,229,379) of New York City, coextensive with Queens county, southeastern New York, U.S. The largest of the five boroughs, it lies on western Long Island and extends across the width of the island from the junction of the East River and Long Island Sound to the Atlantic Ocean.

The first settlements, made by the Dutch 1636-56, came under English control in 1664. It became a county in 1683 and a borough in 1898. Queens was primarily rural during the 19th century, but some of its shore communities began attracting summer vacationers. Development was spurred by the construction of the Queensboro Bridge and the Long Island Railroad tunnel. It is mostly residential, though it has extensive manufacturing around Long Island City and storage and shipping facilities lining the East River. It is the site of New York City's major airports, Kennedy and La Guardia.