The first settlement in the area by Dutch farmers in 1636 was soon followed by other settlements in Flatlands, Wallabout, the Ferry, Gravesend, and, in 1645, Breuckelen—also spelled Breucklyn, Breuckland, Brucklyn, Broucklyn, Brookland, and Brookline (the present spelling became fixed about the close of the 18th century). Later settlements included New Utrecht (1650), Flatbush (1651), Bushwick, and Williamsburg (1660). The American Revolutionary Battle of Long Island (Long Island, Battle of) was fought in Brooklyn on Aug. 27, 1776, with remnants of the American army retreating to Brooklyn Heights overlooking the East River. In 1816 the most populous section of Brooklyn was incorporated as a village and in 1834 as a city. In 1855 Williamsburg and Bushwick were annexed to it; other communities were absorbed until the city of Brooklyn became conterminous with Kings county (created 1683). Brooklyn became a borough of New York City on Jan. 1, 1898.

Brooklyn is both residential and industrial and also handles a vast amount of oceangoing traffic. It is a western terminus of the Long Island Rail Road. There are many educational institutions, including Pratt Institute (1887) and branches of the Polytechnic University, the City University of New York, the State University of New York, and Long Island University. Several colonial churches (including Plymouth Church of the Pilgrims, where Henry Ward Beecher preached), Coney Island, the Brooklyn Botanic Garden and Arboretum, the Brooklyn Museum, and the Brooklyn Children's Museum are in the borough. Famed native sons include composer George Gershwin, lyricist Ira Gershwin, filmmaker Woody Allen, and writers Arthur Miller and Norman Mailer. Area 71 square miles (184 square km). Pop. (2000) 2,465,326; (2007 est.) 2,528,050.