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Richmond, county (area 58 sq mi [48 sq km]), southeastern New York, U.S., coextensive with Staten Island borough, which comprises Staten Island (q.v.) and part or all of several smaller islands in New York Harbor. The borough is linked to Brooklyn by the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge (see photograph). The first permanent settlement was made under Dutch authority in 1661 at Oude Dorp (Old Town). Three years later the British took control. Richmond County (named for Charles Lennox, 1st duke of Richmond and natural son of Charles II) was organized in 1683.

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