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(left) and the Hell Gate Bridge (right) spanning Astoria Park and the Astoria Pool]] Astoria, New York is a Neighborhood in the northwestern part of Queens , New York . Astoria is next to Long Island City , Sunnyside , and Woodside , along the East River . Astoria has traditionally been known as a predominantly Greek neighborhood, with the largest concentration of Greeks outside Greece, and one with a concentration of restaurants and bakeries. Though many Greeks have moved, the Greek influence is still very present, especially through the many Greek restaurants, bakeries, tavernas and cafes. There are many dance clubs in the neighborhood as well. It is where European lifestyle meets an American urban style setting. Astoria is world-renowned to Greeks all over the world. It is the epitome of a Greek enclave in America. It is known to Greek-American s and Greeks alike as "The Mecca." The greatest asset of the neighborhood is its close proximity and easy accessibility to Manhattan. However, Astoria has seen an influx of many new immigrants (for example, from the Middle East , Bangladesh , India , the Philippines , Latin America , and Eastern and Southern Europe ) and young Manhattan urbanites in recent years, making the neighborhood even more diverse. There are several main thoroughfares/streets running east-west in Astoria, each of which has its own subway station on the N or W line (see below). Furthest north is Ditmars Boulevard, which remains very residential and has the largest population of Greeks. Moving south is Astoria Boulevard , which flanks the Grand Central Parkway on both sides (providing access to Manhattan and the Bronx via the Triborough Bridge , and to LaGuardia and Kennedy Airports and Long Island via the Grand Central). Next is 30th Avenue, also known as Grand Avenue, a lively commercial street with a wide range of restaurants, stores and cafes. Two avenues south is Broadway, also full of stores, restaurants and cafes. South of Broadway is where there is a less influx of Greek influence and more of a Latin/Bengali influence in terms of restaurants and people. Furthest south is 36th Avenue, a minor commercial strip. The primary streets running north-south are Vernon Blvd. along the East River, 21st Street, a major traffic artery with a mix of residential, commercial and industrial character; 31st Street, which carries the N and W subway lines on an elevated track; and Steinway Street (named for the Steinway & Sons piano factory), a major commercial street with many retail stores, and a very prominent Middle Eastern section between Astoria Blvd. and 28th Avenue. Originally Astoria was known as Hallet's Cove, but Astoria was renamed after the famous millionaire John Jacob Astor in order to persuade him to invest $2000 in the neighborhood. He invested only $500 in the neighborhood, but the name stayed. Attractions in Astoria include the Kaufman Astoria Studios ' Museum Of The Moving Image , Isamu Noguchi Museum , and Socrates Sculpture Park . Astoria Park , along the East River, is Astoria's largest park and contains the Astoria Pool -- the largest of New York City's public pools. The Hell Gate Bridge and New York Connecting Railroad viaduct rise high above Astoria. In '' All In The Family '', Archie Bunker and his family lived at the fictional address 704 Hauser Street in Astoria. Many Irish pubs are located in Astoria. NOTABLE PEOPLE FROM ASTORIA
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