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New Jersey
New Jersey is the most densely populated state in the United States. That means it has more people for every square mile of space than any other state. But even with so many people and cities, New Jersey also has great natural beauty. It has a beautiful countryside, with scenic hills, lakes, rivers, and farms. New Jersey’s nickname is the Garden State. Its ocean shore is a popular place to go for vacation.
THE PEOPLE OF NEW JERSEY
The majority of New Jersey’s people live in cities or towns. It’s only the 46th biggest state in area, but it’s the 9th most populated with about 8.6 million people.
Newark is the largest city in New Jersey. Other big cities include Jersey City, Paterson, Passaic, and Trenton. Trenton is the state’s capital. Philadelphia and New York City border on New Jersey. Many people who live in New Jersey work in New York or Philadelphia.
New Jersey sits in the middle of the Atlantic coast of the United States. New York City lies just on the other side of the state’s northeastern border, and Philadelphia lies just across its western border.
Facts About New Jersey |
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Capital |
Trenton |
Population |
8,640,000 people |
Rank among states in population |
9th |
Major cities |
Newark, Jersey City, Paterson |
Area |
8,720 square miles |
Rank among states in area |
46th |
Statehood |
December 18, 1787, the 3rd state |
State nickname |
The Garden State |
Name for residents |
New Jerseyans or New Jerseyites |
State bird |
American Goldfinch |
State flower |
Violet |
State tree |
Red Oak |
Abbreviation |
NJ |
THE GARDEN STATE
New Jersey’s nickname is the Garden State. It got this nickname because it has lots of farms and orchards to supply nearby cities with fresh vegetables and fruits. Much of the southern half of New Jersey is used for farming.
The Appalachian Mountains cut across the northwestern corner of New Jersey. The Pine Barrens in southern New Jersey is a wilderness area that is mostly forested. It’s the home of the Pinelands National Reserve, a protected wilderness area.
THE JERSEY SHORE
New Jersey is famous for its Jersey Shore. That’s a name used to describe New Jersey’s coast on the Atlantic Ocean. The Jersey Shore is especially popular in the summer. Places like Asbury Park, Ocean Grove, Ocean City, and Wildwood attract many beachgoers. Several cities have wooden boardwalks that run along parts of the shore. The boardwalks have beaches on one side and shops and hotels on the other.
Another big attraction on the Jersey Shore is Atlantic City. Atlantic City has the only gambling casinos in the state. It’s also famous for its 6-mile (10-kilometer) boardwalk.
BATTLES AND WINTER QUARTERS
New Jersey played a major role in the American Revolution (1775-1783). George Washington and his troops made a famous crossing of the Delaware River from Pennsylvania to New Jersey on Christmas night, 1776. They won important battles against the British at Trenton and Princeton. Washington then settled his men in Morristown, New Jersey, for the rest of that cold winter and others that followed. You can see where the troops stayed and General Washington’s headquarters at the Morristown National Historical Park.
THOMAS EDISON
Many people consider Thomas Edison the greatest inventor who ever lived. He is often referred to as the Wizard of Menlo Park. Menlo Park is in New Jersey, a few miles south of Newark.
In 1876, Edison set up a laboratory in Menlo Park. There, he improved the telephone so that it could work over almost unlimited distances. He invented the first electric light bulb that was good to use in people’s homes. He also made the first phonograph (record player) at his Menlo Park laboratory.
In 1886, Edison moved to a huge home called Glenmont in West Orange, New Jersey. He set up a new laboratory in West Orange. He invented the movie camera there. Today, West Orange is the home of the Edison National Historic Site.
Source: Microsoft ® Encarta