A (slightly) definitive map of Manhattan's neighborhoods

Intrepid explorers of Manhattan may find themselves wondering exactly what neighborhood they're in at any given moment, whether it's to geotag a photo (if your latest digital wonder doesn't already do so automatically), correct a geotag (Flickr being an infamous offender) or simply because you don't know but then you wouldn't be very intrepid, would you? Then there is of course the most amusing of all - the person that has no clue but insists on preserving the facade of supreme coolness. As we know, it's decidedly un-cool to ask anyone for anything in the city, let alone what neighborhood you're in. Often asking someone's opinion is only likely to complicate matters as the subject of neighborhood boundaries can be as fraught with peril as asking "Giants or Jets" or worse, "Mets or Yankees." Of course there are the classic, undisputed hoods like the Lower East Side and the West Village but it wasn't always so neat and tidy. In fact, it continues to this day. Neighborhoods expand, contest and re-invent themselves whether in the hearts of their residents or what's officially recognized on paper by the planning committees. What about Queens and Brooklyn, you ask? That's for another post, my friends.

As I have explored this city over the years in photography I am often faced with the dilemma of describing the neighborhood in which they were taken and it's not always easy. My search started a few years ago when I scoured Google images for maps in an effort to get a definitive answer and after seeing many decent (and many mediocre) contenders, I found one that seemed to include the locally-accepted ideas about boundaries and embraced some of the new, blasphemous additions. This is the main point of contention as many of the rabidly-patriotic locals refuse to recognize these "pointless, redundant displays of renewed self-identification by yuppie transplants," as one long-time resident put it. Whether or not you subscribe to this polarized viewpoint is inconsequential as you will soon see because if anything, the map is incredibly good-looking.

This dapper map was rendered by artist Alexander Cheek and was once found on his website but it seems Mr. Cheek has moved on to bigger and better things as it has been 404 for some time now.* Not to worry as it will now be hosted here for all eternity (or at least until the end of Blogger). Remember this was completed at the very end of 2006 so for all we know, the fluid nature of the boundaries may now very well make Manhattan's neighborhoods seem a random assemblage of ink puddles instead of the tidy arrangement we all know and love that resembles cuts of beef.

*Update (Jun 15, 2010 02:28:30): Apparently the map hasn't been completely 404'd. The current version can be found on his main page and it seems part of him moving on to bigger and better things was his map being featured in the New York Post, albeit uncredited. As if the pun of the Meatpacking District wasn't enough, the updated map includes a new area named Tenderloin. I swear I'm not making this up. Check it out. (It's below Koreatown.)

Too much.