From traditional Egyptian-style coffee houses and Arab Hookah lounges to Greek Orthodox Churches to Chinese churches and Latino restaurants, Astoria is of the one of the city’s most diverse neighborhoods. With a large percentage of its 84,700 inhabitants born outside of the country, it has the third largest immigrant population in the city. Over recent decades, the Greek and Italian dichotomy that once existed in the area was shattered and has subsequently become more diverse. For much of its history, it is a hub of immigrant settlement for individuals all corners the world from Europe to the Middle East to South Asia, and Latin America.

This is an example of Astoria’s ethnic progression over time. This originally Italian bakery named Vaccaro bakery was brought by Bangladeshi immigrants and renamed Zakir’s Bakery.

This is an example of Astoria’s ethnic progression over time. This originally Italian bakery named Vaccaro bakery was brought by Bangladeshi immigrants and renamed Zakir’s Bakery.

Dutch and German immigrants settled in Astoria the 17th century. During the 19th and early 20th century, a wave of Irish immigrants settled. The next enduring wave of immigration was the Italians. There is still some evidence of an Italian presence the spread of Italian restaurants and bakeries, especially around the Ditmars boulevard section of Astoria. Additionally, Jews are an important ethno-religious group with a long history in this neighborhood, so much so that the Astoria Center of Israel, which is placed on the National Register of Historic Places, was built in 1925.

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During the 1960s, a large wave of immigrants came from Greece and Cyprus. By the 1970s, Greeks became engrained into the culture of Astoria with their eateries, bakeries, tavernas, and orthodox churches. They are many Greek organizations such as the Hellenic American Action Committee (HANAC).

HANAC

HANAC

Since the middle part of the 1970s, the Arab population has grown steadily. Notable contributors include Lebanon, Egypt, Syria, Yemen, Tunisia, and Morocco. Since the 1990s, an unofficial “Little Egypt” has been formed in the area between 28th Avenue and Astoria Boulevard. This place is filled with numerous Arabic eateries, coffee shops, hookah lounges, and shops. Another important group is Brazilians, who are concentrated around 36th Avenue area. In recent years, Eastern European and Latin American representation has been on the rise. Astoria is home to an ever-increasing number of Bangladeshis.

"Little Egypt"

“Little Egypt”