In New York City, a borough is a unique form of government used to administer the five constituent counties that make up the city; it differs significantly from other borough forms of government used in other parts of the Tri-State Region and elsewhere in the United States. New York City is often referred to collectively as The Five Boroughs; this phrase is used to unambiguously refer to New York City as a whole, no less and no more, avoiding confusion with any particular borough or with the greater metropolitan area. It is often used by politicians to counter a natural focus on Manhattan and to place all five boroughs on an equal standing.

Each borough corresponds to, and is effectively equivalent to, a county of New York State:

• The Bronx (Bronx County)
• Brooklyn (Kings County)
• Manhattan (New York County)
• Queens (Queens County)
• Staten Island (Richmond County)

Although each borough is represented by a borough president and has a borough hall, the borough president has minimal executive powers, and there is no legislative function within a borough. True executive power is exercised by the Mayor of New York, and legislative functions are the responsibility of the members of the New York City Council.

Government of New York City