Short answers, pulled from the story.
Jonas Bronck established the first European settlement in the Bronx in the spring of 1639 as part of the New Netherland colony. He was a Swedish sea captain from the parish of Norra Ljunga in Småland who leased land from the Dutch West India Company.
Bronx County was separated from New York County in 1914, and the county courts opened for business on the 2nd of January 1914. This occurred on the same day that John P. Mitchel started work as Mayor of New York City.
The population of the Bronx reached 1,472,654 at the 2020 census, making it the fourth-largest borough by population. It also holds the third-highest population density among all New York City boroughs.
The Bronx is the only New York City borough located primarily on the North American mainland. It is distinct from the other four boroughs which are islands or located on islands.
The land area of the Bronx is approximately 42 square miles, with about 27% being water. The borough includes several small islands in the East River and Long Island Sound such as City Island and Hart Island.