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Difference Between Staten Island and Long Island

Key Difference – Staten Island vs Long Island
 

Staten Island and Long Island are two islands that belong to the state of New York. Staten Island is one of the five boroughs of New York, and Long Island is an island that begins at the New York Harbor. Long Island, the largest island in the contiguous United States, is also the most populated island in any US territory whereas Staten Island is one of the least populated areas in the state.This is the key difference between Staten Island and Long Island.

CONTENTS

1. Overview and Key Difference
2. Staten Island 
3. Long Island
4. Side by Side Comparison – Staten Island vs Long Island in Tabular Form
5. Summary

Staten Island

Staten Island is one of the five boroughs (county-level administrative divisions) of New York City in the state of New York. It includes the south most part of the state of New York and the city of New York. Although Staten Island is the third largest borough of New York, with an area of 150 km2, it is the least populated of the five boroughs. It is also sometimes called as the forgotten borough. Staten Island belongs to the Richmond country.

Figure 01: Aerial View of Verrazano-Narrows Bridge, which connects Staten Island and Brooklyn

Staten Island is also the only borough of New York with a population of non-Hispanic White majority. The North Shore of the island is the most urban part of the island while the West Shore is the most industrial and the least populated area of the island. Staten Island is connected to Manhattan by Staten Island Ferry, which is a free commuter ferry, and to Brooklyn by the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge. Fresh Kills Landfill, the world’s largest landfill, was also in Staten Island until it was closed down in 2001.

Long Island

Long Island, an island on the East Coast, makes up the southeastern-most part of New York state in the USA.  Long Island begins at New York Harbor, only 0.56Km from Manhattan and extends eastwards into the Atlantic Ocean. Atlantic ocean is its boundary to the south and east. It is separated from the mainland on the north by the Long Island Sound.

There are four counties of New York State in Long Island: Kings and Queens Counties in the east of the island and Nassau and Suffolk Counties in the east. The name “Long Island” is used colloquially to refer exclusively to Suffolk and Nassau counties.

Figure 02: Map showing Staten Island and Long Island

Long Island is the largest and the longest island in the contiguous United States, with an area of 3,629 km². It is also the most populated island in any U.S. state or territory. Majority of New York City residents live on Long Island. Thus, it has a great cultural and ethnic diversity.  This area also has a rich cultural history.

What is the Difference Between Staten Island and Long Island?

Staten Island vs Long Island

Staten Island is one of the five boroughs of New York City and New York State. Long Island is an island on the East Coast which belongs to the state of New York State.
Location
Staten Island is the southmost part of the New York State. Long Island is the southeasternmost part of New York State.
Population
Long Island is the most populated island in any US State or territory. Staten Island is the least populated of the five boroughs.
Counties
Staten Island belongs to the Richmond County. Long Island has four counties: Suffolk, Nassau, Kings and Queens counties.
Size
Long Island is the largest island in the contiguous United States. Staten Island is smaller than Long Island.

Summary – Staten Island vs Long Island

Staten Island and Long Island are two islands that belong to the state of New York.Staten Island is the southmost part of the New York State while Long Island is the southeasternmost part of New York State. The difference between Staten Island and Long Island depends on several factors such as their location, size, population, and attractions.

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Image Courtesy:

1. “Map of the Boroughs of New York City and the counties of Long Island” By Maximilian Dörrbecker (Chumwa) – Own work, using OpenStreetMap data (CC BY-SA 2.0) via Commons Wikimedia
2. “2006_10_27_phl-bos_030.JPG” by Doc Searls (CC BY-SA 2.0) via Flickr