10 Trivia Facts about Long Island, NY
Long Island, NY, is the largest island in the contiguous U.S., featuring the oldest lighthouse (Montauk), the birthplace of the first suburb (Levittown), and the first video game (1958). It has a massive population exceeding 20 states, a high concentration of fire trucks, and a major role in aerospace.
Here are 10 trivia facts about Long Island, NY:
Oldest Lighthouse: The Montauk Point Lighthouse, commissioned by George Washington in 1792, is the oldest lighthouse in New York State.
First Suburb: Levittown, built in 1947, is considered the first modern suburb in the United States.
Massive Fire Departments: Nassau and Suffolk counties have more fire trucks than New York City and Los Angeles County combined.
Largest Township: The Town of Hempstead is the largest township in the U.S. by population, with over 800,000 residents.
Coffee Consumption: Long Island buys more 7-Eleven coffee than any other region in the U.S..
First Video Game: In 1958, Brookhaven National Laboratory physicist William Higinbotham created "Tennis for Two," recognized as the first interactive video game.
Aerospace Hub: The Lunar Module that landed the first men on the moon was built on Long Island. Additionally, after WWII, Japanese companies Canon, Nikon, and Olympus established corporate offices near Idlewild Airport (JFK).
Largest Island in Contiguous US: Long Island is the largest island among the 48 contiguous United States.
Oldest Cattle Ranch: Deep Hollow Ranch in Montauk is considered the site of the oldest cattle ranch in America (1658).
Rich in Agriculture: Suffolk County is the leading agricultural county in New York State by the wholesale value of its products.
