c) New Amsterdam

New Amsterdam, originally a Dutch settlement founded in 1624, is what we now know as New York City. Situated on Manhattan Island, New Amsterdam was a pivotal trading post for the Dutch West India Company. The settlement’s strategic location and diverse population made it a significant cultural and economic hub. In 1664, the English seized New Amsterdam and renamed it New York, honoring the Duke of York. This transition from Dutch to English rule was a key event in the colonial history of the region, significantly impacting its future development and character.