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==Geography== ===Cityscape=== [[File:Confluence Park.jpg|right|thumb|225px|Confluence Park, facing west toward the confluence of the [[Susquehanna River|Susquehanna]] (left) and [[Chenango River|Chenango]] (right) rivers]] According to the [[United States Census Bureau|U.S. Census Bureau]], the city has an area of {{convert|11.14|sqmi|km2}}, of which {{convert|10.49|sqmi|km2}} is land and {{convert|0.65|sqmi|km2}} (5.83%) is water.<ref name="GR8" /> Binghamton, like all of the [[Southern Tier]] of New York, lies on the [[Allegheny Plateau]]; hence its hilly terrain. As such, elevations can vary in the city--[[Downtown Binghamton|Downtown]], for example, is at an elevation of around 860 feet (262 meters), while residential homes in the hills can go up to over 1,800 feet (548 meters), such as on Ingram Hill. The highest peak in Binghamton is Table Rock Ridge, which is at 1,854 feet.<ref>{{cite web |title=Broome County NY Peaks List |url=https://listsofjohn.com/searchres?c=418 |access-date=December 31, 2020 |website=listsofjohn.com |archive-date=May 3, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210503045018/https://listsofjohn.com/searchres?c=418 |url-status=live }}</ref> The Downtown area sits at the confluence of the [[Chenango River|Chenango]] and [[Susquehanna River|Susquehanna]] Rivers, in the middle of a long but relatively narrow valley.<ref name="valleygeography" /> The north branch of the [[Susquehanna River]] passes south of downtown. This branch rises in eastern New York and receives a number of tributaries above Binghamton. In the center of the city, the [[Chenango River]] feeds into the Susquehanna from the north at Confluence Park. The Binghamton River Trail, a 1.5 mile trail along the Chenango, runs between Cheri Lindsey Park on the Northside and Confluence Park in Downtown.<ref>{{cite web |title=Binghamton River Trail |url=https://visitbinghamton.org/listings/binghamton-river-trail/ |access-date=December 31, 2020 |website=Binghamton Convention and Visitors Bureau |language=en-US |archive-date=January 21, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210121014146/https://visitbinghamton.org/listings/binghamton-river-trail/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Eleven bridges span the rivers inside city limits. Broome County has 17.5 miles of [[levee]]s, many of which are in Binghamton.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.bupipedream.com/feature/news/86291/outdated-fema-flood-maps-leave-broome-county-residents-in-limbo/ |title=Outdated FEMA flood maps leave Broome County residents in limbo |date=October 9, 2017 |work=Pipe Dream |access-date=October 29, 2018 |archive-date=October 30, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181030035511/https://www.bupipedream.com/feature/news/86291/outdated-fema-flood-maps-leave-broome-county-residents-in-limbo/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Major floods have occurred in 1865, 1935, 1936, [[Mid-Atlantic United States flood of 2006|2006]], and [[Tropical Storm Lee (2011)|2011]].<ref name="broomehist" /><ref>{{cite web |title=Top Ten Highest Historical Crests: Susquehanna River at Binghamton |url=http://www.erh.noaa.gov/marfc/Rivers/FloodClimo/Top_Flood_Crests/Nbs/Binghamton-NBS-Top10-Table.pdf |work=North Branch Susquehanna River Basins |publisher=National Weather Service, Mid Atlantic River Forecast Center |access-date=September 1, 2013 |date=December 31, 2012 |archive-date=January 14, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160114090138/http://www.erh.noaa.gov/marfc/Rivers/FloodClimo/Top_Flood_Crests/Nbs/Binghamton-NBS-Top10-Table.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=History of Flooding |url=http://www.srbc.net/flood_forecasting/history_of_flooding.htm |work=Flood Forecast & Warning in the Susquehanna River Basin |publisher=Susquehanna River Basin Commission |access-date=August 31, 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131112035132/http://www.srbc.net/flood_forecasting/history_of_flooding.htm |archive-date=November 12, 2013}}</ref> The incorporation of Binghamton united various communities on both shores of the two rivers. The majority of the city's population and development lies along the rolling terrain nearest the riverbanks with sparse development in the hills that define the city limits. The old city was laid out on a grid system by Joshua Whitney, Jr.,<ref name="broomehist" /> but as development spread to the outer regions of the city and merged with other settlements, several grids were eventually juxtaposed against each other. In the Southside, the grid breaks down, as more curvilinear roads make up the predominantly residential areas along the hills. [[File:Binghamton Security Mutual Building.jpg|thumb|upright|The [[Beaux-Arts architecture|Beaux-Arts]] Security Mutual Life Building (1905)]] The city was the traditional economic center of the region and is home to several historic districts. The [[Railroad Terminal Historic District (Binghamton, New York)|Railroad Terminal Historic District]] consists of several factories and buildings along the railroad line in the northern limits of downtown.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.oprhp.state.ny.us/hpimaging/hp_view.asp?GroupView=769 |title=National Register of Historic Places Registration: Railroad Terminal Historic District |date=January 1986 |access-date=August 31, 2013 |last=Peckham |first=Mark |publisher=[[New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation]] |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131113022456/http://www.oprhp.state.ny.us/hpimaging/hp_view.asp?GroupView=769 |archive-date=November 13, 2013}}</ref> Over 1,000 properties on the West Side contribute to the [[Abel Bennett Tract Historic District]], mainly made up of residential properties along Riverside Drive.<ref name="nrhpinv_ny">{{cite web |url=http://www.oprhp.state.ny.us/hpimaging/hp_view.asp?GroupView=102474 |title=National Register of Historic Places Registration: Abel Bennett Tract Historic District |access-date=August 31, 2013 |publisher=[[New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation]] |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131113021452/http://www.oprhp.state.ny.us/hpimaging/hp_view.asp?GroupView=102474 |archive-date=November 13, 2013}}</ref> Downtown's [[State Street-Henry Street Historic District]] consists of several older low-rise buildings.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.oprhp.state.ny.us/hpimaging/hp_view.asp?GroupView=784 |title=National Register of Historic Places Registration: State Street-Henry Street Historic District |date=December 1985 |access-date=August 31, 2013 |last=Peckham |first=Mark |publisher=[[New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation]] |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131113022524/http://www.oprhp.state.ny.us/hpimaging/hp_view.asp?GroupView=784 |archive-date=November 13, 2013}}</ref> The [[Court Street Historic District (Binghamton, New York)|Court Street Historic District]] has some of the city's most notable architecture, including the Press Building and Security Mutual Building, early 20th century high rises, and the [[Broome County Courthouse]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.oprhp.state.ny.us/hpimaging/hp_view.asp?GroupView=788 |title=National Register of Historic Places Registration: Court Street Historic District |date=July 1984 |access-date=August 31, 2013 |last=Peckham |first=Mark |publisher=[[New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation]] |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120928133941/http://www.oprhp.state.ny.us/hpimaging/hp_view.asp?GroupView=788 |archive-date=September 28, 2012}}</ref> The Press Building was the tallest building in Binghamton until the completion of the State Office Building in [[Government Plaza, Binghamton|Government Plaza]], which remains the tallest in the city.<ref>{{cite web |title=Binghamton State Office Building Facts |url=http://www.skyscrapercenter.com/building.php?building_id=12349 |access-date=August 31, 2013 |year=2013 |work=The Skyscraper Center |publisher=Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131113015621/http://www.skyscrapercenter.com/building.php?building_id=12349 |archive-date=November 13, 2013}}</ref> Away from downtown, most of the buildings are single- and multi-family dwellings, along with low-rise business buildings lining commercial arteries. Along the railroad corridors, several factories, mostly abandoned, rise above the otherwise-uniform landscape. [[New York State Route 17C|Main Street]] runs through the West Side, and continues west to serve as Main Street in the villages of [[Johnson City, New York|Johnson City]] and [[Endicott, New York|Endicott]]. On the east side of the Chenango River, the road becomes [[U.S. Route 11 in New York|Court Street]], the major east–west artery in downtown and the East Side. ===Neighborhoods=== [[File:RobersonMansionAndMuseum.JPG|thumb|[[Roberson Mansion]]]] [[File:Northside of Binghamton.jpg|thumb|North Side, along Chenango Street]] Binghamton is divided into seven neighborhoods.<ref name="neighborhoods">{{cite web |title=Binghamton Neighborhood Assemblies |url=http://www.binghamtonneighbors.org/ |publisher=Binghamton Neighborhood Assemblies |access-date=August 31, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090628135117/http://www.binghamtonneighbors.org/ |archive-date=June 28, 2009}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |last=Bennett |first=Sean |title=Participatory Planning in Binghamton, New York |journal=Progressive Planning Magazine |date=Spring 2009 |volume=179 |url=http://www.plannersnetwork.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/2009_179_spring.pdf |access-date=August 31, 2013 |archive-date=November 13, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131113022337/http://www.plannersnetwork.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/2009_179_spring.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite book |title=Parks and Recreation 2013 Programs: Summer in the Parks |publisher=City of Binghamton |year=2013}}</ref> [[Downtown Binghamton]], also known as Center City, is home to most of the city's largest buildings and government services. Located at the northeast corner of the river confluence and increasingly populated by college students, it supports a flourishing arts scene.<ref name="downtownrevival" /><ref>{{cite web |title=First Fridays |url=http://www.gorgeouswashington.com/firstfridays/firstfridays.html |publisher=Gorgeous Washington Street Association |access-date=September 1, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130911002410/http://gorgeouswashington.com/firstfridays/firstfridays.html |archive-date=September 11, 2013 |url-status=dead}}</ref> The [[North Side, Binghamton|North Side]] is across the [[Norfolk Southern]] rail tracks from downtown, along the Chenango River.<ref>{{cite web |title=North Side Riverfront District Planning Guide |url=http://www.esf.edu/ccdr/projects/binghamton/RiverfrontDistrictPlanningGuide_opt.pdf |work=Center for Community Design Research |publisher=SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry |access-date=September 1, 2013 |date=August 1, 2005 |archive-date=November 13, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131113014033/http://www.esf.edu/ccdr/projects/binghamton/RiverfrontDistrictPlanningGuide_opt.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref> The North Side is a light commercial and working-class residential area of the city, with Chenango Street serving as its major artery. The [[East Side, Binghamton|East Side]] lies east of the [[Brandywine Highway]], along the north bank of the Susquehanna River. The neighborhood is largely residential with commercial corridors along Robinson and Court streets, and it has pockets of industrial development along its borders. Across the Chenango River lies the [[West Side, Binghamton|West Side]], a primarily residential neighborhood along the banks of the Susquehanna that has a combination of family homes, student housing, and stately mansions. Main Street's large supermarkets, pharmacies, bank branches, pubs, restaurants, auto shops, and a few strip malls form the West Side's commercial corridor.<ref>{{cite web |title=The West Side |url=http://westsidebinghamton.org/westside.html |publisher=West Side Neighborhood Association |access-date=August 31, 2013 |year=2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130904041823/http://westsidebinghamton.org/westside.html |archive-date=September 4, 2013}}</ref> The [[First Ward, Binghamton|First Ward]], a largely residential neighborhood opposite the railroad tracks from the West Side, is best known for Antique Row, a series of antique shops that line Clinton Street. This part of the city is home to several gold-domed Christian churches built by the area's many Eastern European immigrants.<ref name="golddomechurches">{{cite web |title=Gold Dome Churches Tour |url=http://www.pastny.org/tours/support/brochures/Gold-Dome-Churches.pdf |publisher=Preservation Association of the Southern Tier |access-date=September 1, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131113023014/http://www.pastny.org/tours/support/brochures/Gold-Dome-Churches.pdf |archive-date=November 13, 2013 |url-status=dead}}</ref> It is also home to several large supermarkets, churches, pharmacies, bank branches, a few bars and restaurants as well as [[mom and pop]] shops that provide such goods as video games and music. Ely Park, Binghamton's northernmost neighborhood, contains its municipal golf course.<ref>{{cite web |title=Ely Park Golf Course |url=http://www.elyparkgolf.com/ |access-date=September 1, 2013 |archive-date=August 19, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130819050137/http://www.elyparkgolf.com/ |url-status=live }}</ref> It lies on parts of Prospect Mountain and other hills north of the First Ward. The [[Southside, Binghamton|Southside]] lies along the south bank of the Susquehanna River and is connected to downtown by several bridges. At the base of the historic [[South Washington Street Parabolic Bridge|South Washington Street Bridge]] is the Southbridge commercial district.<ref>{{cite news |title=Commons area underway in city's southside |url=http://binghamton.ynn.com/content/top_stories/547550/commons-area-underway-in-city-s-southside/ |access-date=September 1, 2013 |newspaper=YNN Southern Tier |date=June 21, 2011 |archive-date=September 1, 2013 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130901141728/http://binghamton.ynn.com/content/top_stories/547550/commons-area-underway-in-city-s-southside/ |url-status=dead}}</ref> The neighborhood is partitioned into two neighborhood assemblies, divided by Pennsylvania Avenue and Southbridge, due to their distinct characters.<ref name="neighborhoods" /> Southside East has working-class residences and some public housing projects and is home to the [[Islamic Awareness Center]], while Southside West is primarily made up of larger middle-class residences. ===Climate=== {{climate chart | Binghamton, New York | 15.7|28.7|2.45 | 17.4|32.1|2.31 | 24.6|41.1|2.99 | 35.9|54.2|3.43 | 46.1|65.5|3.57 | 55.2|73.7|4.31 | 59.6|77.8|3.70 | 58.3|76.5|3.45 | 50.7|68.4|3.63 | 40.1|56.8|3.33 | 31.4|45.1|3.30 | 21.2|33.3|2.83 | float=left | clear=left | units=imperial | source=<ref name = "NWS Binghamton, NY (BGM)"/> }} Binghamton has a [[humid continental climate]] ([[Köppen climate classification|Köppen]] ''Dfb''), with cold, snowy winters and warm, wet summers.<ref name="koppen">{{Cite journal |last1=Kottek |first1=Marcus |last2=Greiser |first2=Jürgen |last3=Beck |first3=Christoph |last4=Rudolf |first4=Bruno |last5=Rubel |first5=Franz |display-authors=2 |title=World Map of Köppen−Geiger Climate Classification |date=June 2006 |journal=Meteorologische Zeitschrift |volume=15 |issue=3 |page=261 |doi=10.1127/0941-2948/2006/0130 |url=https://opus.bibliothek.uni-augsburg.de/opus4/frontdoor/index/index/docId/40083 |access-date=March 16, 2020 |archive-date=March 19, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220319192120/https://opus.bibliothek.uni-augsburg.de/opus4/frontdoor/index/index/docId/40083 |url-status=live }}</ref> Summers in Binghamton are typified by warm yet temperate days, and there are an average of only 2.6 days annually where the high exceeds {{convert|90|°F|0}}, with the highest recorded temperature at {{convert|98|°F|0}} on July 16, 1988.<ref name="NWS Binghamton, NY (BGM)"/> Winters are somewhat less moderate, with 5.8 days with sub-{{convert|0|°F|0}} lows annually on average; the lowest recorded temperature was {{convert|−20|°F|0}} on January 15, 1957.<ref name="NWS Binghamton, NY (BGM)"/> As with most cities in upstate New York, precipitation in Binghamton is spread evenly throughout the year.<ref name="koppen"/><ref name="NWS Binghamton, NY (BGM)"/> Binghamton is the 10th rainiest city in the United States, with 162 rainy days a year.<ref name="farmersalmanac">{{cite web |last=Geiger |first=Peter |title=The 10 Worst Weather Cities |url=http://www.farmersalmanac.com/blog/2006/10/06/the-10-worst-weather-cities/ |publisher=Farmers' Almanac |access-date=September 11, 2013 |date=October 6, 2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131006103145/http://www.farmersalmanac.com/blog/2006/10/06/the-10-worst-weather-cities/ |archive-date=October 6, 2013 |url-status=dead}}</ref> With 212 cloudy days annually, it is also the seventh cloudiest city in the country, and the cloudiest east of the [[Rocky Mountains]].<ref>{{cite web |last=Baker |first=Dan |title=Interesting United States Weather Facts and Extremes |url=http://web2.airmail.net/danb1/usrecords.htm |publisher=Texas Web Guide |access-date=September 11, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130922012106/http://web2.airmail.net/danb1/usrecords.htm |archive-date=September 22, 2013 |url-status=dead}}</ref> Binghamton's proximity to the [[Great Lakes]] results in significant cloudiness and precipitation. Weather systems traveling over the lake pick up significant moisture, and cooler air masses from the west and the north culminate in a continuously unsettled weather pattern.<ref name="farmersalmanac"/><ref>{{cite web |last=Dorish |first=Joe |title=Worst Weather Cities in the United States |url=http://voices.yahoo.com/worst-weather-cities-united-states-5541255.html?cat=16 |publisher=Yahoo! Voices |access-date=September 11, 2013 |date=March 1, 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131113022721/http://voices.yahoo.com/worst-weather-cities-united-states-5541255.html?cat=16 |archive-date=November 13, 2013}}</ref><ref name="nyclimate">{{cite web |title=The Climate of New York |url=http://nysc.eas.cornell.edu/climate_of_ny.html |publisher=New York State Climate Office, Department of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, Cornell University |access-date=September 11, 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080412104922/http://nysc.eas.cornell.edu/climate_of_ny.html |archive-date=April 12, 2008}}</ref> Snowfall is significant, with an annual total of {{convert|84.4|in|cm|0}}. Binghamton is not as greatly affected by [[lake-effect snow]] as cities further north or west such as [[Syracuse, New York|Syracuse]] and [[Buffalo, New York|Buffalo]], which are part of the Great Lakes [[snowbelt]].<ref name="goldensnowball">{{cite web |title=Comparison Golden Snowball City Stats 1940 – 2007 |url=http://www.goldensnowball.com/yearly-winners-golden-award.htm |publisher=Golden Snowball Award |access-date=September 11, 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140208002625/http://www.goldensnowball.com/yearly-winners-golden-award.htm |archive-date=February 8, 2014}}</ref> However, persistent snow bands from both the Great Lakes and the [[Finger Lakes]] occasionally result in moderate snows.<ref name="nyclimate"/> Binghamton receives occasional major snowfall from [[nor'easter]] storms as well (such as the [[1993 Storm of the Century]], or nearly four feet of snow in December 2020<ref name="1yearsnow">{{cite news |url=https://www.wicz.com/story/45482286/one-year-ago-four-feet-of-snow-covered-parts-of-broome-county |publisher=[[WICZ-TV]] |title=One Year Ago, Four Feet Of Snow Covered Parts Of Broome County |date=December 17, 2021 |access-date=June 19, 2022 |archive-date=March 15, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220315134657/https://www.wicz.com/story/45482286/one-year-ago-four-feet-of-snow-covered-parts-of-broome-county |url-status=live }}</ref>), and competes for the [[Golden Snowball Award]] with other upstate cities.<ref name="goldensnowball"/> <section begin="weather box"/>{{Binghamton, New York weatherbox|collapsed=Y}}<section end="weather box" />
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