The Bronx, situated north of Manhattan, is commonly associated with the professional baseball team known as the New York Yankees, hip-hop and stars born here. Moreover, the borough is famous for its ethnically diverse population, mainly coming from Puerto Rico, Camboda, Vietnam, Jamaica and Eastern Europe. The Bronx is also frequently referred to as ''X-treme'' New York. Though, similarly to other boroughs, the Bronx has been undergoing the gentrification processes transforming it into a pleasant place to live, including the infamous South Bronx of the 1970s, there is still a discrepancy between more urbane parts, filled with residential and commercial facilities, and poverty-stricken and drug abuse fighting areas.

Nevertheless, the Bronx is still worth a trek as there is plenty of sights which cannot be missed. One of the most famous spots is Arthur Avenue in Belmont, the Bronx' ''Little Italy'', which is lined with bakeries, pizzerias, trattorias serving delicious Italian cuisine.

Apart from fine eateries, the Bronx boasts the 265-acre Bronx Wildlife Conservation Society, one of the best zoological gardens in the Unites States, and the 50-acre New York Botanical Garden. Both offer a lot of attractions.

If looking for peace and quiet, one can stroll along in two of the largest parks in New York City: Pelham Bay and Van Cortlandt Parks or visit the 400-acre Woodlawn Cemetery where such literary and jazz personalities are buried as Herman Melville, Miles Davis, Lionel Hampton, Duke Ellington.

Sports fans cannot miss a guided tour of the famous Yankee Stadium or a kayak tour of the Harlem River. There are also free ''Bronx Tour Trolley'' rides offered by the Bronx Tourism Council at weekends. For the seafood restaurant enthusiasts or aquatic sport fans, visiting City Island, the 1.5mile-long isle, is worth recommending. Those who are fond of contemporary art will not be bored here either as the Bronx Museum of the Arts regularly hosts a rich selection of video installations, paitings and graffiti exhibitions.

The Bronx, with a few popular shopping areas like the Grand Concourse, the Hub, Fordham Road and Bay Plaza, has something to offer to those who would like to go on a shopping sprea.

Everyone can find something to do in the Bronx. Come and see for yourself!