Located in the mid-Atlantic and northeastern United States regions, New Jersey is a state with many diverse cultures, wildlife, landscapes and more. The capital of New Jersey is Trenton, and the largest city is Newark.
It’s possible to see plenty of nature in this state, from the blue heron to the bald eagle. North of New Jersey lie Pennsylvania and New York; west of New Jersey, the Atlantic Ocean. South of New Jersey is Delaware, and east of New Jersey is Long Island (part of New York). The state has a population of over 9.2 million people.
19 Facts about New Jersey
1. The largest city, Newark, has just over 283,000 people.
2. There has been an indigenous population in what is today’s New Jersey for thousands of years. Among these tribes are the Lenape, the Munsee, and the Unalachtigo.
3. Europeans reached the area around 1524 when Giovanni da Verrazzano arrived from Italy.
4. As colonists built settlements and fought over land, the Swedish, Finnish, and Dutch took over the region until the English took control in 1664. The British ruled 13 American colonies, including New Jersey.
5. Later on, however, these colonists wanted to be independent. 1775 marked the beginning of the American Revolution.
6. Revolutionary War battles were fought in New Jersey more than in any other state.
7. George Washington defeated British forces at Trenton, New Jersey, in 1776 when he crossed the Delaware River.
8. By signing the Bill of Rights in 1787, New Jersey became the third and first state to join the United States.
9. Carteret, a British colonist who governed over the Isle of Jersey, an island in the English Channel between the United Kingdom and France, was honoured with the state’s name.
10. Due to large-scale agriculture in 1876, New Jersey earned the nickname Garden State.
11. New Jersey has many different mammals, including black bears, bobcats, red foxes, raccoons, and Tuckahoe masked shrews similar to moles.
12. A variety of reptiles can also be found in the state, including the spotted turtle, five-lined skink, and coast-plain milk snake.
13. Several trees grow in the state, including sugar maples, chestnuts, dogwoods, pitch pines, and American elms.
14. Among the state’s resources are granite, sand, and gravel for mining, and clams are a significant seafood export.
15. Some of New Jersey’s most famous residents include U.S. president Grover Cleveland, astronaut Buzz Aldrin, journalist Judy Blume, and entertainer Frank Sinatra.
16. South New Jersey was primarily agricultural in the early 19th century, while the northern part of the state became increasingly industrialized.
17. Regardless of how many fantastic things New Jersey offers, it is known for its beaches, highways, food, intense politics, and diverse culture.
18. Speaking of beaches, it’s home to 20 miles of sandy beaches!
19. New Jersey’s Menlo Park was home to Thomas Edison’s lab.