U Thant Island
U Thant Island in 2025 taken from the UN | |
| Geography | |
|---|---|
| Location | East River |
| Coordinates | 40°44′48″N 73°57′52″W / 40.746599°N 73.964387°W |
| Length | 200 ft (60 m) |
| Width | 100 ft (30 m) |
| Administration | |
| State | New York |
| Borough | Manhattan |
U Thant Island (officially Belmont Island) is a small artificial island or islet in New York City's East River, within the borough of Manhattan. The 100-by-200-foot (30 by 60 m) island, created during the construction of the Steinway Tunnel directly underneath, is the smallest island in Manhattan. The island is named after August Belmont Jr., who financed the construction of the subway tunnel, and in 1977 was dedicated to the memory of U Thant, the former Secretary-General of the United Nations. The islet contains a lighted beacon marking the southern end of Roosevelt Island Reef and is the home to a small colony of double-crested cormorants.