Staten Island is a borough of New York City, located in Richmond County on an island. It has an estimated population of 477,377 residents, making it the last populated of the five New York City boroughs; however, it is the most suburban of the five.
Staten Island is considered a haven for all types of artists due to its close proximity to Manhatten and affordable spaces to live and work in. Because of that, the area is highly artistic which is supported by local neighborhoods. St. George Theatre serves as a major cultural and artistical center for a myriad of activities including outreach educational programs and Broadway shows. Staten Island has always had an affinity towards music, with such stars as Christina Aguilera, David Johansen (New York Dolls) and Vernon Reid (Living Colour) from here.
There are more than ten museums and gardens located in Staten Island, including The Alice Austen House Museum, Snug Harbor Cultural Center, and The New York Chinese Scholar's Garden. Other attractions include Historic Richmond Town and the Staten Island Zoo. The Staten Island Zoo was the first to exhibit all 32 varieites of known rattlesnakes, which expanded to 39 in the late 1960s.