>If being surrounded by water is an insurmountable problem, how do you explain the tall buildings and subways in Manhattan? I'm not saying the water inhibits c

>If being surrounded by water is an insurmountable problem, how do you explain the tall buildings and subways in Manhattan? I'm not saying the water inhibits construction. It just limits the area where you can expand. Look at New York on Google maps and zoom out a bit. The metropolitan area expands in all directions except the very south. Now look at Tokyo. It also expands in all directions except the south-east. Now look at San Fransisco. The north, west, and east are blocked by the Pacific Ocean. There are single long bridges to the north and Oakland, but they serve as choke points limiting movement. Much of the area to the north is also a national park.