Throughout centuries, people have migrated as methods of transportation have

advanced to be quicker and safer. The causes and consequences causing this migration
have differed, stemming from cultural, political, demographic, economic, and
environment factors, but have all resulted in the shifting of unique peoples across the
globe, increasing and decreasing population in certain areas. As people migrate, the
attraction to big cities in new countries creates a population boom in the city, while
subtracting a lot of citizens from the place of origin, proving that populations grow and
decline over time and space.
At the discovery of the New World, North America was a popular target for
immigrants, especially after America declared their independence from Great Britain.
Recently, I visited Ellis Island, the hub of immigration during the 19th and 20th centuries,
and was amazed by the vast amount of people that came through that island to settle in
America. Outside in a courtyard area, there were giant walls lined up and down, inscribed
with all of the names of immigrants and families that came through Ellis Island on their
way to America. The vast amount of people that came into the country foreshadowed the
future population growth along the East Coast, especially in New York. As people left
their European homes to avoid overcrowding, they arrived and helped the population
grow expansively. Immigrants were attracted by the prosperity and cultural-acceptance of
America, and were pushed away by the war-torn and crowded European countries. The
large amount of people illustrates the desire of people to escape oppressive governments
and economic turmoil in Europe and instead pursue a life in America. Population growth
in America was influenced by the opportunities in this new country, and attracted people

looking to raise a family or people seeking a better economic situation that was unheard
of in Europe, with its high concentration of people within cities and less chances for jobs.
Also, seeing the thousands of names listed helped explain the growth of New
York and neighboring cities. People from all types of cultures had clustered in the city of
New York because of its proximity to Ellis Island and its status as an economically
successful city. In New York, places like China Town, Korea Town, Greenwich Village,
and Little Italy are examples of the influx of immigrants creating their own sections of
the city. The population grew and the city expanded to accommodate peoples of different
cultures, and henceforth created beautiful areas of the city that celebrate a unique culture
and help accommodate other immigrants to the United States. Having the opportunity to
witness these cultural hubs within America was something I really appreciated, and it was
interesting to see these small clusters of different ethnic groups concentrated in one
specific area within this extremely dense city. Ellis Island is a place that celebrated the
growth of America as it included more people and cultures into the country known as the
Melting Pot, allowing immigrants to escape from bad situations within their own country
in favor of the political and economic strength of the United States, the cultural and
religious toleration, and the demographic differences. Now, New York is the largest city
in America, meaning that these pull and push factors from a century or two ago have still
impacted the population and growth in the city and surrounding area to this day.
All in all, Ellis Island was a hub for immigrants in the 19th and 20th centuries,
allowing immigrants to escape Europe for the opportunistic land of America. The
population of New York boomed at their arrival, turning it into the largest city throughout
America by a margin of several million people. The reasons people had to immigrate

ranged from the ideal political and social situation in the United States, the economic
stability, and even the acceptance of differing cultures. The immigrant population of
America continues to grow, making America one of the most populated countries in the
world.