纽约是一座海边古城,位于大西洋沿岸、哈得孙河入海口处。市区范围由初期的曼哈顿岛(Manhattan)逐渐扩大成五个行政区。目前,市区约有800万人,预计到2000年时,纽约地区人口达1500万人。纽约地区年平均降雨量达1118毫米(44英寸)。但是,在干旱的枯水季节,海水可沿哈得孙河上溯到波基普西(Poughkeepsie)附近,距曼哈顿岛南端巴特里(Battery)公园约111公里(69英里)。它给纽约地区的供水带来严重的威胁。 New York is an ancient seaside city located on the Atlantic coast and the mouth of the Hudson River. The urban area gradually expanded from the early Manhattan to five administrative regions. At present, there are about 8 million urban residents. It is estimated that by 2000, the population of New York will reach 15 million. The average annual rainfall in New York is 1118 mm (44 inches). However, in the dry, dry season, seawater can be traced back along the Hudson River to Poughkeepsie, about 111 kilometers (69 miles) from Battery Park on the southern tip of Manhattan Island. It poses a serious threat to the water supply in the New York area.