dLoewi

U.S. GDP growth revised up to 3% in fourth-quarter

2012-02-29T10:06:00.001-05:00

The U.S. economy grew 3% in the fourth quarter, faster than original
reading, the government reported Wednesday Increase in commercial
construction and consumer spending couple with lower imports
contributed to the higher growth.

The increase was the fastest in a year and a half, according to
revised Commerce Department data. Economists projected GDP growth
would be revised down to 2.7% from an initial reading of 2.8%.

Real final sales in the U.S., which exclude imports and inventories,
rose 1.1% instead of 0.9% as originally reported. Inventories, a major
source of fourth-quarter growth, totaled $54.3 billion instead of $56
billion as initially reported.

Inflation as measured by the consumer PCE index rose 1.2% in the
fourth quarter, or by 1.3% on a "core" basis if food and energy are
excluded.

Real disposable income climbed 1.4% in the fourth quarter, compared
with an earlier reading of 0.8%. The personal savings rate was 4.5%,
up from an initial estimate of 3.7%.

Facebook: the biggest internet IPO

2012-02-01T20:23:00.001-05:00

With $5 billion initial public offering, Facebook would make it the biggest U.S. Internet IPO in history, topping the debut of its arch-rival Google Inc.

Facebook filed late Wednesday its much-anticipated IPO filing, setting the stage for what's expected to be the biggest public trading debut for an Internet company since 2004 when Google went public in a $1.7 billion IPO.

The social networking giant Facebook's IPO would also mark a high point in the rapidly growing social networking market, underscored last year by the public trading debuts of such players as LinkedIn (the professional networking site) and (Zynga Inc.) the social gaming company.

The IPO of Facebook also would rank among the top 10 biggest overall in U.S. history of U.S.-based companies. That list is led by Visa Inc., whose 2008 IPO was worth $17.9 billion, followed by General Motors in 2010 at $15.8 billion, AT&T Wireless Group in 2000 at $10.6 billion and Kraft in 2001 at $8.7 billion, according to S&P Capital IQ.

U.S. economy is healing

2012-01-27T20:09:00.000-05:00

The U.S. economy grew at a modest 2.8 percent rate in the final three months of last year, the fastest since spring 2010 and was the third straight quarter that growth has accelerated.

Americans spent more on cars and trucks, and companies built up their stockpiles. But growth in the fourth quarter and all of 2011 was held back by the biggest annual government spending cuts in four decades.

The Commerce Department says the economy grew just 1.7 percent last year, roughly half of the growth in 2010 and the worst since the recession.

Fed is likely to leave interest rate near zero through 2014

2012-01-25T16:31:00.000-05:00

The Federal Reserve said Wednesday that it was likely to leave short-term interest rates at near zero levels at least through late 2014. The Fed is pushing out its easy-monetary policy even further into the future than previously indicated.

An interest-rate forecast is a historic step for the Fed, the latest in a series of moves under Chairman Ben S. Bernanke to increase transparency and communications with the public.

Policymakers at the central bank acknowledged the recent improvements in the economy but said that they expected economic growth over coming quarters to be modest and the unemployment rate, currently 8.5%, to decline only gradually. The Fed committee repeated its concern that strains in global financial markets continue to pose significant downside risks to the economic outlook.

Since August, the Fed had said it was likely to keep the federal funds rate at near zero at least through mid-2013. The federal fund rate broadly influences rates on loans for businesses and consumers.

Google users has to agree to new privacy policy

2012-01-24T17:22:00.000-05:00

Google announced Tuesday that it will require all of its users to agree to a new privacy policy that will integrate user data across 60 Google products including Gmail, YouTube and search. The policy will also encompass information, including location data, collected on mobile devices. Users will not be allowed to opt-out. It will take effect March 1.

According to Google privacy director Alma Whitten said that “if you're signed in, we may combine information you've provided from one service with information from other services. In short, we'll treat you as a single user across all our products, which will mean a simpler, more intuitive Google experience."

Earrings: the most charming jewelry along woman's face

2010-11-08T19:01:00.001-05:00

Earring is the most basic and indispensable piece in the jewelry box of a lady. You may leave the house without a bracelet or a necklace but you are almost always wearing earrings. It is the most charming part along your face. Select the most appropriate earrings that go well with your face is the most important thing.

Most earring styles go with anything, so they won't become wardrobe issues. Earrings are available in some different basic types: studs, drops, chandelier, and hoops.

Studs
Because they're small, stud earrings are easy to wear. They go as easily with a cocktail dress as they do with jeans. You'll find a variety of styles in cultured pearl earrings, diamond earrings and gemstone earrings.

Drops
Drop earrings are made to dangle below their setting. Swaying with movement, they can add an elegant touch. Pearl, diamond, and gemstone drop earrings are available in various settings.

Chandelier
The earring has multi-branches that hang down from the earring base. At the end of branch are some pearls or other gemstones, most are tear or drop shaped.

Hoops
Platinum, 18k gold, or silver hoops give a feminine touch, and precious metals go with anything. For added sparkle, choose a pair with diamonds.

The Most Popular Gemstones

2010-11-01T20:52:00.001-04:00

Most of women love jewelry. Some are partial to certain types of metals like gold or silver. Others love the classic statement that pearls make. Some prefer gemstones while others like opaque gem, which are classified as semi-precious.

It comes as no surprise that the diamond is the most popular gemstone of all time. It is equally popular among both men and women. But, unlike days past, today's woman is very much into the colors of diamonds; particularly pale yellows, blues, and pinks. Men, on the other hand, still prefer the standard clear. The Blue Wittelsbach (on picture) is a 35.56-carat blue diamond is the most expensive diamond ever sold at auction for $24.3 million.

Women, on the whole, also have an affinity for pearl. Pearls have been a symbol of sacred power and the goddess of love for hundreds of years. While whites and creams remain the most popular, black pearls, as well as champagne and cocoa are also becoming highly desired.

Emerald is one of the highest ranks in popularity. The gemstones can be difficult to find in high quality and large stone size. However, perhaps it is that rarity that makes the stone so sought after. Certainly, today's emeralds are among the world's most expensive gemstones; often costing more than diamonds.

Aquamarine is another most popular gemstone, which has become a favorite among today's jewelry designers. Perhaps it is the pale blue green color that appeals to a lot of women. Perhaps it is the fact that it is somewhat rare and can, therefore, be expensive. Aquamarine has supplanted the spot that once belonged solely to the ruby.

Tourmaline belongs to the five most popular gemstones, even though it wasn't even well known a few decades ago. Tourmaline comes in virtually every color of the rainbow and many of them are more vibrant and have more fire than anything else on the market today.

Accessories a man can add to his wardrobe

2010-09-30T21:54:00.002-04:00

As the importance of accessories dawns on men, designers are coming up with many options to accessorize all kind of ensemble. Accessories add the finishing touch to any look and you can make the same outfit look different with different accessories. Men’s jewelry does not need to be costly to give the classy appearance.

Remember as far as men’s jewelry is concerned, less is more. Wearing too much jewelry can actually tarnish your image. Also stick to a single material all over for example wearing a crystal and a garnet could look artificial. Opt for ring, bracelet, cufflink and chain made of a single metal like steel or tungsten or leather to get the uniformity in your overall look and appeal. Choose bold colors, particularly if you are wearing leather jewelry to make a statement.

The most common accessories a man can add to his wardrobe are chain, bracelet, finger ring, and earrings. These accessories are commonly made out of leather, stainless steel or tungsten.

Leather Jewelry

Leather has been popular for centuries, and leather jewelry is very sleek and stylish. Men's leather jewelry is also versatile; many different timeless leather men's jewelry pieces are available.

Leather jewelry imparts a cool casual look to your outfit and is fast gaining popularity. Leather has always been used by men for accessorizing but mostly in the form of wallets and belts. Now designers have come up with wristbands and bracelets in leather which are selling like hot cakes. Intricate details on the leather accessory ensure that they do not go unnoticed. They are embellished with anything ranging from embroidery to stainless steel and even gemstones.

Stainless Steel Jewelry

With designers introducing newer designs and patterns everyday, stainless steel jewelry is becoming the mark of the urban man. A combination of chromium and iron ore results in the rust free stainless steel and jewelry made out of this has a shiny finish, durable and scratch resistant, requires low maintenance and does not cause any allergic reactions. Men’s stainless steel jewelry is available as rings, bracelets, pendants, cufflinks, necklaces and chains.

Tungsten Jewelry

Tungsten has been used to reach the stars and this is what probably lends to the sense of adventure and masculinity that designers seek when designing men’s jewelry. Its popularity as the “forever wedding ring” is increasing day by day. One of the strongest amongst precious metals (when combined with carbon to form tungsten carbide), jewelry made of tungsten is practically invincible. Durable, scratch resistant, light weight, no maintenance are just some of its properties and the prominent one being tungsten retains its shine forever.

A Swipe on a Phone, You’re Paid

2010-09-30T13:47:00.001-04:00

Why can’t everyone accept credit cards? A company called Square is proposing to change that rule for good.

To become a credit card merchant, you have to buy the card-reading equipment, which costs several hundred dollars. You generally pay a setup fee, and you commit to a one- or two-year contract with the processing company. You pay $15 to $25 a month, and minimum transaction fees of $25 a month, even if you had no sales at all.

The Square Up system, on the other hand, eliminates that stuff. All of it. It makes the barrier to entry into the credit card world so low, there’s virtually nothing to stop you, the little guy, from taking the leap.

First, the equipment: you need an iPhone, iPad, iPod Touch or an Android phone. Why buy a fancy authorizing machine, when you already have a computer in your pocket?

Unfortunately, Apple steadfastly refuses to add a card-swiping slot to the iPhone. So Square provides you with a tiny half-inch reader attachment that snaps into, of all things, your phone’s headphone jack. The reader has a slot where you can swipe a credit card.

(The name Square, of course, refers both to the shape of the little reader and to what it does — as in, “are we square?” Cute.)

The Square plug is free. In other words, not only are you spared the contracts, the minimums and the monthly fees, but your equipment cost is zero. For all Square cares, you can keep your reader in a drawer somewhere and use it once a year.

For each transaction, Square charges you 2.75 percent of the total, plus 15 cents. That’s a lot simpler, and usually cheaper, than actual merchant accounts, where you might pay 3 or 4 percent, depending on the kind of card, plus 30 cents a transaction.

So let’s say someone from Craigslist comes over to buy your old junk. You snap the Square reader into your phone or tablet. You tap in the amount of the purchase; it could be $1 for a yo-yo, $25 for a box of old records or $12,000 for a used car (there’s no maximum amount). You type a description if you like, and maybe even take a photo of what you’re selling.

Now you swipe the customer’s card, which may take you a couple of tries. Your happy customer signs the phone’s touch screen with a finger (a coming software revision will make this step optional). If you like, you can tap in the customer’s e-mail address; the receipt is then sent automatically, complete with a little map showing exactly where the transaction took place.

The software is beautiful and dog-simple. To sign your name, you scrawl with your finger where it says “sign here.” Think you can handle this?

You can add a tip, when that’s appropriate. You can accept and track cash payments. And you can accept credit card payments without the card itself — over the phone, for example. You just need the card number, expiration date and security code, although these transactions cost you more (3.5 percent).

The iPad software is even nicer. It features a “shelf” depicting the kinds of things you sell the most often, with prices included, which is great if you run a small store.

Anyway, that’s the entire thing. Your phone connects to Square, authorizes the purchase, sends the receipt by e-mail and logs the transaction on your personal Square Web page. There, a tidy table reports your income for the day. You can download it as a spreadsheet if you like.

You’ve just accepted payment the way they do it at Apple stores: wirelessly, without a cash register, using a hand-held Internet-connected gizmo. Your biggest problem may be overcoming your customers’ skittishness; people don’t trust what they don’t understand.

Signing up for Square involves supplying your bank routing and account numbers, so Square can deposit your money. Only the first $1,000 of each week’s charges lands in your bank account immediately. Anything over that is reviewed by the company’s auditors; it can take as long as 30 days before you see the rest of the money. That could be a downside if you sell a lot of used cars.

Then again, that’s just for first-timers. The more you use the service without incident, the higher the company will raise that $1,000 threshold. In fact, if you’re willing to share more details about your business with Square upfront, they’ll raise that threshold from the start.

It’s easy to imagine that a concept this disruptive, brilliant and irresistible will take off, but its runway has been bumpy. The initial batches of readers were delayed. Even when they arrived, there were long waiting lists and not enough status reports.

As an antifraud measure, Square originally imposed a $100-a-transaction maximum, making the system far less useful. The original readers were finicky about reading card swipes — and didn’t work with the iPhone 4’s external metal antenna band. (Early Square adopters turned to humiliating workarounds like wedging a scrap of paper between the reader and the phone.)

The company says all of these problems have been fixed. Mass quantities of a redesigned, more reliable, iPhone 4-proof Square reader arrive this week (it’s the one I tested). Within a couple of weeks all backorders will be filled, everybody who got the old one will get the new one automatically, and new orders will be filled promptly.

Let’s hope that’s true. Because the Square system is beautiful, simple and a joy to use. It saves money, red tape, worry and lost sales.

Now let’s just hope more smart people keep asking why. As in, “Why is Wi-Fi free at cheap hotels, but $17 a night at expensive ones?” “Why don’t public sinks have foot pedals?” And “why can’t we just pay for the cable channels we actually want?”

Fashion Bracelet Every Man Has To Know

2010-09-27T14:09:00.000-04:00

~ dLoewi Jewelry ~ The only known men’s jewelry till around mid 20th century was the watch and the wedding ring. The introduction of ID bracelets by Speidel Corporation in the 1950s heralded a new era of bracelets for men. The bracelet as men’s jewelry remained a craze till late 1960s, after which it became a regular style symbol.

Compare to ladies' bracelet, men's bracelet are much simpler. Men often wear more of a cuff-style bracelet that have minimal or no accents. Simple bracelets make a huge difference on a man's outfit because they enhance a man's fashion.

The most common materials used for men's bracelet are stainless steel, leather, magnetic metal, and sterling silver. Bracelets are also available in materials like tungsten, carbon fiber, platinum and titanium.

Stainless Steel Bracelet

Stainless steel bracelet suits the heavy duty styles such European bracelet style. These are made either from stainless steel alone or sometimes with black carbon fiber. You can get contemporary designs to sleek styles, both signifying men as strong and powerful

Leather Bracelet

Leather bracelet make men look ruggedly handsome. Some of the common designs are braided genuine leather bracelets, Ruby Celtic cross leather bracelet, studded wristband (studded with your favorite gemstones), fish style non-dyed Christian bracelet, Dove Dyed in leather bracelet and many more.

Magnetic Bracelet

Magnetic bracelet normally comes in strands of two or three or more, depending on what the wearer likes. The black matte finished strands are connected by polished connectors in gold plated cobalt magnets. The other common styles are gold and silver bricks attached by neodymium north magnets, Magnetic chain link fence styled bracelet, gold and silver fury magnetic bracelets (designed like the strap of watches) etc. most of these designs come with clasp closure and suit a wrist of any size.

Sterling Silver Bracelets

Sterling silver barcelets are the most exquisite of materials used for bracelets. Although these are harder to maintain than most other bracelet materials, these men’s bracelets impart a class and image to the wearer like no other. Most of these come with link clasps and are intricately designed, without compromising on the manliness of the wearer. Other metals common used with sterling silver bracelets are gold, platinum and yellow gold.

In the picture Marc Anthony is wearing a bracelet made from mixes black diamonds with shining silver giving a touch of mystery and luxury.

Type of Bracelets

The popular bracelet types are metallic bracelets, Lance Armstrong bracelet and beaded bracelets. Beaded bracelets may sound like girlish jewelry but is fast catching up as men’s accessory too. Apart from the clasp style of attaching the bracelet while wearing it, other styles include link style, cuff style and handcuff style.

The cuff style bracelets are oval in shape with an opening that allows the bracelet to be slid by the side (instead of wearing it down your wrists like a bangle). Some may be fully closed, operable by a hinge. Cuff bracelets sit snuggly over the wrist.

Link bracelets can be made smaller or bigger by adding or removing links.

The handcuff style bracelet is designed like one half of the handcuffs set and has a ratchet closure with ball bearing detail

Celebrity In Fashion Necklace Style

2010-09-26T17:27:00.004-04:00

Hang a lovely necklace even while donning on a simple dress and the result will be dramatic; women don’t need a luxurious clothing. Necklaces can also be used as accessories to provide women with different styles for their wardrobe.

In the pictures Nicole Kidman wears galactic necklace, while Jessica Simpson is seen wearing a long fashion necklace before leaving her hotel in New York City and heading to the Steiner Studios in Brooklyn, New jersey where she’s filming a new ad.

"The City" star Olivia Palermo is spotted wearing the Wine Drop necklace in navy blue. ~ dLoewi Jewelry ~

Celebrity In Pearl Earrings Style

2010-09-24T20:44:00.002-04:00

Celebrities have been seen wearing classic pearl earrings in various public appearances. They show off the elegance of her timeless pearls. As with pearls necklace, pearl earrings always elevate an outfit to a certain sophistication and status that other jewelry cannot achieve.

In the picture, singer and actress Jennifer Lopez wearing pearl earrings attended a small press availability with her husband Marc Anthony after a meeting with Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) and members of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus in the U.S. Capitol.

Pearl jewelries truly bring an element of the past to the present and are great for any occasion, big or small, move premier or movie date night. ~ dLoewi.Jewelry ~

Love-Tester Mood Jewelry Recalled

2010-09-23T11:28:00.000-04:00

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has announced a voluntary recall of about 23,000 "Love Tester" mood rings and necklaces that contain high levels of lead, according to dLoewi.com.

The heart-shaped jewelry, marketed under the brand name "Love Tester," was sold for about $4 each in retail stores from September 2005 through June 2010. The China-manufactured jewelry was sold in small retail stores nationwide.

The U.S. (CPSC) said some 19,000 rings and 4,000 necklaces are covered by the recall.

The jewelry poses a danger to young children, who can be harmed by the lead if they ingest it. No incidents or injuries from the jewelry have been reported, according the commission.

The products change colors when the user's "mood" changes. The rings and necklaces were sold separately and mounted on round red discs printed with the words "Love Tester" and "Are you in the mood?"

D&D Distributing-Wholesale of Tacoma imported the products from China, the commission said. The jewelry was sold to small retail shops nationwide.

On its website, the company said it tests products at independent safety labs. A spokeswoman was not immediately able to answer why the jewelry was sold for nearly five years before the high lead levels were detected.

The company also was not immediately able to provide a list of retailers who sold the jewelry.

The commission said consumers should return the jewelry to the store where it was purchased for a refund or replacement product.

US jewelry retail industry

2010-09-21T13:20:00.001-04:00

The US jewelry retail industry includes about 28,000 specialty stores with combined annual revenue of about $30 billion, according to report published by Researchandmarkets.com. Major companies include Zale, Tiffany, and Sterling Jewelers. The industry is fragmented; the top 50 jewelry chains generate less than half of revenue.

COMPETITIVE LANDSCAPE

Jewelry sales depend partly on consumer income. Small jewelers can effectively compete with large chains because price isn't the main factor determining sales. Profitability depends on merchandising and effective marketing.

Jewelry is sold not only by specialized jewelry retailers, but also by department stores and mass merchants. Because regular gross margins are very high, often 50 percent, mass merchants have been able to cut prices and take market share. Wal-Mart is the largest jewelry retailer in the US.

PRODUCTS

Jewelry is often classified as:

Bridal merchandise (engagement, bridal, and anniversary rings - about 35 percent of the market);
Fashion jewelry (rings, bracelets, earrings, pins, gold chains)
Watches, silver flatware, and other giftware.

Diamond jewelry and loose diamonds account for the largest share of total jewelry store sales (46 percent); gold jewelry for 11 percent; colored gemstone jewelry (rubies, sapphires, emeralds, etc.) 9 percent; and watches 4 percent.

Celebrity In Pearl Necklace Style

2010-09-17T11:43:00.006-04:00

~ dLoewi ~ Celebrities seem to have a long time love affair with pearl jewelry as most women adore pearls too. Pearls always elevate an outfit to a certain sophistication and status that other jewelry cannot achieve.

The classic string of pearls is getting an instant update. Layering long pearl necklaces with metal chains or with even more pearl strands of different sizes give a funky mix-and-match vibe. Some artists, such as Katherine Heigl, Jamie Lynn Sigler, Sandra Bullock, and Rihanna, do a fabulous job at pairing simple pearl necklaces, long pearl necklaces, and chunky pearl necklaces with the right outfit.

In various public appearances, Heigl channels the Hollywood glamour of the 50’s and 60’s with a modern twist. To show off the elegance of her timeless pearls, Heigl has been seen wearing a classic up-doo to harmonize with the circular show stoppers. She is a master at accessorizing both hair and jewelry to complement one another. For The Ugly Truth movie premier, Heigl radiated in a multi-stranded chunky pearl necklace along with her Lanvin dress.

Rihanna is another artist who has an extreme sense of style. She showed up at the London premiere of Inglorious Bastards wearing, about a thousand layered pearl necklaces. Rihanna took pearls to the edge by piling them on in varying sizes and lengths.

When wearing a pearl necklace, it is important that everyone see the entire arrangement from front to back. Subtle pearl shine is hard to come by, so make sure to show it off all the way around your neck. Keeping hair down takes away your pearls from the fancy fashion.

Pearl jewelries truly bring an element of the past to the present and are great for any occasion, big or small, move premier or movie date night. Pearl jewelries are classic and beautiful. Celebrities and ordinary folks reach the same level of beauty, with or without millions of fans, once that pearl necklace is clasped and glowing delicately around our necks.

jewelry.dloewi.com

Pearl Necklace Styles

2010-09-16T15:31:00.000-04:00

The "classic" piece of pearl jewelry is, of course, the pearl necklace. A pearl necklace adds style to anything she wears. To own a pearl necklace is every woman's desire.

Pearl necklaces come in a wide variety of styles, according to dLoewi:

Bib: Consists of several strands of pearls of varying lengths.
Collar or Dog Collar: Consists of multiple strands of pearls worn high on the neck. Very popular during the Victorian era, and making a bit of a comeback now, they are 12-13 inches long.
Choker Length Pearl Necklace: Similar to a collar, but is worn somewhat lower on the neck and is 14-16 inches long.
Princess Length Pearl Necklace: Essentially the "classic" length for a pearl necklace, lying slightly below the neck. A versatile necklace, that can be worn with many different styles of neckline, and is 17-19 inches long.
Matinee Length Pearl Necklace: Traditionally worn for semi-formal occasions, works well with suits and dresses, and is 20-24 inches long.
Opera Length Pearl Necklace: Generally worn at formal occasions with evening dresses. The pearls should fall below the bust line. To be worn during the day in less-formal settings, the strand can be doubled over. The Opera necklace is 30-36 inches long.
Rope: This is the longest of all pearl necklace styles. It can also be doubled, as well as knotted. Some rope necklaces have multiple clasps, which allow it to be broken down into shorter strands. Rope necklaces are over 36 inches long.

Choose a pearl necklace, which will match her lifestyle and personality. Choosing a right pearl necklace depends on many factors including age, skin color and occasion. When buying pearl necklace it's a good idea to base your choice of color on skin tone. A young woman wears a pearl necklace it leaves an impression of style, beauty and innocence. An elderly woman wears a pearl necklace it gives an impression of poise, dignity and sophistication.

When buying pearl necklace it's a good idea to base your choice of color on the skin tone of the person they are intended for. In general, pink pearls look best on fairer skin tones, while yellow or golden pearls look best on darker skin tones. An elegant pearl necklace is a great gift idea for special days like marriages, anniversaries, birthdays, valentines, mother's day etc. When buying a pearl necklace, there are a few things to keep in mind including surface, color, size, luster, and shape. The pearl necklace is strung in many fashions. The center pearl being bigger and the remaining tapering down the size, is a style in fashion too. The pearl could be bigger or smaller depending on the design, if you prefer big sized pearls then one strand pearl necklace would look beautiful.

I love New York

2010-08-24T13:53:00.000-04:00

Lovely New York City

New York is the most populous city in the United States, and the center of the New York metropolitan area, which is one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a powerful influence over global commerce, finance, media, culture, art, fashion, research, education, and entertainment.

The city is often referred to as New York City or the City of New York to distinguish it from the state of New York, of which it is a part. Its 2009 estimated population approached 8.4 million with a land area of 305 square miles (790 km2).

New York City is a global hub of international business and commerce and is one of three command centers for the world economy along with London and Tokyo. The city is a major center for finance, insurance, real estate, media and the arts in the United States. Many major corporations are headquartered in New York City, including 42 Fortune 500 companies. New York is also unique among American cities for its large number of foreign corporations. One out of ten private sector jobs in the city is with a foreign company.

History and landmarks

New York was founded as a commercial trading post by the Dutch in 1624. The settlement was called New Amsterdam until 1664 when the colony came under English control. New York served as the capital of the United States from 1785 until 1790.

Many districts and landmarks in the city have become well known to outsiders. The Statue of Liberty greeted millions of immigrants as they came to America in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

Times Square is the brightly illuminated hub of the Broadway theater district, one of the world's busiest pedestrian intersections, and a major center of the world's entertainment industry.

Anchored by Wall Street, in Lower Manhattan, New York City vies with London as the financial capital of the world and is home to the New York Stock Exchange, the world's largest stock exchange by market capitalization of its listed companies.

The original Manhattan Chinatown attracts throngs of tourists to its bustling sidewalks and retail establishments.