Founded in 1646, Brooklyn (which translates to Broken Land in Dutch) was the original suburb of New York City. Due to its size (being the 2nd largest borough next to Queens), Brooklyn was largely rural and consisted of mainly farmland. Many of the battles for independence in the Revolutionary and Civil Wars occured in different neighborhoods throughout the borough. Many Brooklyn neighborhoods bear the names of notable figures in history including the Stuyvesants (Bedford-Stuyvesant), The Lefferts, (Prospect-Lefferts Gardens), The Nostrands (Nostrand Avenue) and James Weeks (Weeksville). Being a vast cultural hub, Brooklyn has become just as popular (if not more) as Manhattan being a premier choice of residency to people from all walks of life. Home to beautiful parks and a wide variety of cultural and dining experiences, visitors and residents alike discovered that Brooklyn offers a bit more breathing room than the cramped island of Manhattan. Each neighborhood has its own identity, culture and historical significance.