port

thumb|The Port of New York and New Jersey, U.S., grew from the original harbor at the convergence of the Hudson River and the [[East River at the Upper New York Bay.]] A port is a maritime facility comprising one or more wharves or loading areas, where ships load and discharge cargo and passengers. Although usually situated on a sea coast or estuary, ports can also be found far inland, such as Hamburg, Manchester and Duluth; these access the sea via rivers or canals. Because of their roles as ports of entry for immigrants as well as soldiers in wartime, many port cities have experienced dramat