The Bronx is a borough of New York City that is fully part of the U.S. mainland. The Bronx was one of the few parts of New York City that were almost entirely on the North American mainland, and of the five boroughs, it is the fourth-largest in population.

The Bronx is divided by the Bronx River and can be further divided by the division of Pelham Parkway into the northeastern Bronx and the southeastern Bronx. In 1874, New York City annexed the West Bronx.

Originally, this section of what is now Bronx County was bordered by the Bronx and Hudson rivers, as well as New York City. The West Bronx, which was initially populated, had hilly terrain, was much more urban, and was annexed to New York City in 1874, but was separated by the same boundaries as the boroughs of New York County.

The area now known as the Bronx remained largely suburban until 1841, when rail service regularly ran between Manhattan and the boroughs, and then north and west of the city until the late 19th century.

This inexpensive express train offered hundreds of thousands of different ethnic groups the opportunity to move from Manhattan to the Bronx. Those who would have liked to live in Manhattan but couldn't typically settle in the West Bronx, and if you moved between Manhattan and Brooklyn, you might be surprised to find that rents in the Bronx are much lower and more affordable than in Brooklyn. The Bronx is especially popular with those who live on the east side of the city.

Although the Bronx doesn't have a long list of luxury hotels, there are plenty of upscale options. The Bronx is home to some of the most beautiful beaches in New York City. About a fourth of the Bronx's area is open space, featuring destinations like the New York Botanical Garden, the Bronx Zoo, Pelham Bay Park, and Woodlawn Cemetery.

The Bronx is considered the birthplace of hip-hop music and is also known for its close ties with Latin and rap music. The Bronx has a few problem neighborhoods, but schools generally do well. The borough also has some of the most popular restaurants and bars in the New York City area, too.

The Bronx is one of the most densely populated counties in New York City, and about a quarter of its area is open space, including more than 1,000 acres of public parks and open spaces. Three of New York's 10 largest parks are in the Bronx, and the borough is home to the largest number of parks of any North American county, covering more than 2,500 acres. The Bronx has more than 75 parks alone.