New York City: The Center of the World? A Humorous Take on the Big Apple’s Ego

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If you’ve ever met a New Yorker, you’ve probably heard the phrase, “New York is the greatest city in the world!” at least once… or a hundred times. Well, folks, we’ve stumbled upon a map that takes that sentiment to a whole new level of absurdity – and we’re here for it.

Picture this: It’s 1970, and some cheeky cartographer decides to create a map of the world with New York City as its center. But they don’t stop there. Oh no, they go all out and blow up the Big Apple to comical proportions, making it almost as large as the entire continental United States. Talk about a big city complex!

This humorous map is a perfect encapsulation of the New York state of mind. It’s as if the mapmaker took a peek inside the brain of your average New Yorker and decided to bring that mental image to life. The result? A geographical representation of what many jokingly refer to as the “New Yorker’s View of the World.”

In this cartographical fever dream, you can spot familiar NYC landmarks dominating the landscape. The Empire State Building probably towers over the Rocky Mountains, while Central Park likely dwarfs the Great Plains. Can you imagine trying to navigate from Times Square to, say, Los Angeles? It’d be a breeze – just a quick stroll down 42nd Street and you’re practically there!

But let’s be real for a second. This map, while hilarious, isn’t entirely off base when it comes to New York’s cultural impact. In the 1970s, NYC was indeed a hub of global influence – from finance and fashion to art and music. It was the city where trends were born, where fortunes were made (and lost), and where the world turned its eyes for the next big thing.

The map serves as a tongue-in-cheek reminder of New York’s outsized role in shaping the 20th century. It was home to the United Nations, Wall Street, and some of the most iconic skyscrapers in the world. It was a melting pot of cultures, a beacon for immigrants, and a playground for the rich and famous. In many ways, New York City was a microcosm of the world – diverse, dynamic, and ever-changing.

Fast forward to today, and while New York might not be quite as dominant as it once was (hello, Silicon Valley and rising Asian megacities), it still holds a special place in the global imagination. It’s still the city where dreams are made, where anything seems possible, and where you can find a decent slice of pizza at 3 AM.

So the next time you’re feeling overwhelmed by New York’s energy, or a New Yorker starts waxing poetic about their beloved city, just remember this map. It’s a humorous reminder that sometimes, it’s okay to let your ego run wild and see yourself as the center of the world – even if just for a moment.

After all, if you can make it in New York, you can make it anywhere. And on this map, New York is practically everywhere!