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.
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Facts About New Jersey
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Capital
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Trenton
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Population
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8,690,000
people
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Rank
among states in population
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11th
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Major
cities
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Newark,
Jersey City, Paterson
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Area
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8,720
square miles
22,600 square kilometers |
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Rank
among states in area
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46th
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Statehood
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December
18, 1787, the 3rd state
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State
nickname
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The
Garden State
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Name
for residents
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New
Jerseyans or New Jerseyites
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State
bird
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American
Goldfinch
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State
flower
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Violet
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State
tree
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Red Oak
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Abbreviation
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NJ
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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 8.7 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.
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.
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