New Jersey

Basic Information

New Jersey, located in the northeastern United States, is known for its diverse landscapes and rich history.

Capital

• Trenton

Largest City

• Newark

Area

• 8,729 sq mi

Population

• 9.29 million (2020)

Demographics

New Jersey's population is highly diverse, reflecting a mix of cultures and ethnicities.

Ethnic Composition

• White:54.6%
• Hispanic:21.6%
• African American:13.7%
• Asian:10.3%

Languages

• English:67.3%
• Spanish:16.9%
• Other:15.8%

Age Distribution

• Under 18:21.6%
• 18-64:63.8%
• 65+:14.6%

Population Growth

• Annual Rate:0.3%
• Natural Increase:30,000
• Migration:10,000

Economy

New Jersey's economy is driven by diverse sectors, including pharmaceuticals, finance, and technology.

GDP

• $680 billion (2022)

Major Industries

• Pharmaceuticals
• Finance
• Telecommunications
• Logistics

Employment Rate

• Employed:95.8%
• Unemployment:4.2%

Major Companies

• Johnson & Johnson
• Prudential Financial
• Verizon
• Merck & Co.

Climate

New Jersey has a humid subtropical climate with hot summers and cold winters, varying slightly across the state.

Northern New Jersey

• Avg. Summer:85°F
• Avg. Winter:30°F
• Rainfall:45 inches/year

Central New Jersey

• Avg. Summer:86°F
• Avg. Winter:32°F
• Rainfall:46 inches/year

Southern New Jersey

• Avg. Summer:87°F
• Avg. Winter:34°F
• Rainfall:47 inches/year

Visiting New Jersey

New Jersey offers a variety of attractions, from historical sites to beautiful beaches, making it a diverse destination for visitors.

Best Time to Visit

• Spring:April-June
• Fall:September-November
• Peak Season:July-August

Transportation

• Major Airports:3
• Train Routes:NJ Transit, Amtrak
• Highway System:39,000 miles

Accommodation

• Hotels:6,000+
• Camping Sites:5,000+
• Average Hotel Rate:$140/night

Tourist Information

• Visitor Centers:20+
• Tourism Website:Visit NJ
• Info Hotline:1-800-VISITNJ

Popular Attractions

New Jersey's attractions range from significant historical landmarks to beautiful natural landscapes.

Historical Sites

• Princeton Battlefield State Park
• Ellis Island (partially)
• Cape May Historic District
• Thomas Edison National Historical Park

Natural Landmarks

• Delaware Water Gap
• Jersey Shore Beaches
• Pine Barrens
• High Point State Park

Entertainment

• Atlantic City Boardwalk
• Six Flags Great Adventure
• New Jersey Performing Arts Center
• Meadowlands Sports Complex

Cities

• Newark
• Jersey City
• Atlantic City
• Hoboken

History

New Jersey's history is marked by early Native American settlements, European colonization, the American Revolution, and industrial growth.

Early History

• Native Peoples:10,000+ years
• Dutch Settlement:1614
• English Colony:1664

18th Century

• American Revolution:1775-1783
• Statehood:1787
• Early Industrialization

19th Century

• Industrial Growth
• Immigration Boom
• Railroad Expansion

20th Century

• World War Impact
• Suburban Development
• Technological Innovation

Recent History

• Economic Diversification
• Environmental Conservation
• Cultural Growth

State Symbols

New Jersey has adopted various official state symbols that represent its natural and cultural heritage.

State Animals

• State Animal:

  Horse
• State Bird:

  Eastern Goldfinch
• State Fish:

  Brook Trout
• State Insect:

  Honeybee

State Plants

• State Flower:

  Violet
• State Tree:

  Red Oak

Cultural Symbols

• State Colors:

  Buff and Jersey Blue
• State Song:

  "Born to Run" (unofficial)
• State Motto:

  "Liberty and Prosperity"

Other Symbols

• State Dinosaur:

  Hadrosaurus foulkii

State Facts

Interesting and unique facts about New Jersey that showcase its distinctive character and achievements.

Geographic Facts

• Highest Point:

  High Point (1,803 ft)
• Longest River:

  Delaware River
• Largest Lake:

  Lake Hopatcong
• Coastline Length:

  130 miles

Records & Rankings

• Most densely populated state
• Significant role in the American Revolution
• Home to many pharmaceutical companies

Notable Firsts

• First organized baseball game (Hoboken)
• Invention of the light bulb (Menlo Park)
• First drive-in movie theater (Camden)

Unique Features

• Known for its diners
• Extensive boardwalks along the Jersey Shore
• Diverse cultural influences

Government & Politics

New Jersey has a constitutionally mandated structure encompassing Executive, Legislative, and Judicial branches.

Governor

• Phil Murphy (as of 2021)

Legislature

• Bicameral:State Senate and General Assembly

Political Trends

• Historically Democratic in recent decades

Key Political Issues

• Property Taxes
• Education Funding
• Environmental Protection
• Transportation Infrastructure

Time Zones

New Jersey observes Eastern Time Zone (ET), with daylight saving time observed.

Standard Time

• Eastern Standard Time (EST, UTC -5)

Daylight Saving

• Eastern Daylight Time (EDT, UTC -4)

Education

New Jersey has a public education system that includes K-12 schools, community colleges, and universities.

Major Public Systems

• Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey
• Montclair State University
• New Jersey Institute of Technology

Notable Private Institutions

• Princeton University
• Seton Hall University
• Stevens Institute of Technology

K-12 System

• Public school system with local control

Key Educational Initiatives

• STEM education focus
• Early childhood education programs
• College affordability initiatives

Culture & Festivals

New Jersey's cultural scene is rich with music, arts, and festivals celebrating its diversity.

Major Festivals

• Sea.Hear.Now Festival
• New Jersey State Fair
• Atlantic City Airshow
• Various cultural festivals in urban areas

Music & Arts

• New Jersey Performing Arts Center
• Count Basie Center for the Arts
• Various local art walks and events

Regional Traditions

• Jersey Shore culture
• Diner culture
• Local farmers markets

Sports & Teams

New Jersey has a strong sports culture, with professional teams and significant local interest.

NHL Teams

• New Jersey Devils

MLS Teams

• New York Red Bulls (partially based in NJ)

Minor League Teams

• Trenton Thunder (baseball)
• Jersey BlueClaws (baseball)
• Various local sports teams

Notable Sporting Events

• Major golf tournaments
• Horse racing events
• Various college sports events

Cuisine & Local Specialties

New Jersey cuisine features fresh seafood, Italian-American dishes, and local specialties.

Signature Dishes

• Jersey Tomatoes
• Saltwater Taffy
• Pork Roll (Taylor Ham)
• Italian-American cuisine

Seafood

• Fresh Jersey Shore seafood
• Oysters, clams, and fish dishes

Agricultural Products

• Blueberries, Cranberries, Peaches, Asparagus
• Various locally grown vegetables

Local Markets

• Farmers markets in major cities
• Local food festivals

Infrastructure

New Jersey's infrastructure includes extensive transportation networks, ports, and energy systems.

Highway System

• Extensive network of state and interstate highways

Public Transportation

• NJ Transit (rail and bus services)
• PATH trains to New York City
• Regional airports and Amtrak services

Major Ports

• Port of New York and New Jersey (significant for shipping)
• Various inland waterway systems

Energy & Utilities

• Mix of natural gas, nuclear, and renewable energy
• Water and sewage systems managed by local governments

Notable Historical Figures

New Jersey has produced many influential figures in history, arts, and sciences.

Historical Leaders

• Thomas Edison (inventor)
• Albert Einstein (scientist)
• Walt Whitman (poet)

Music & Arts

• Bruce Springsteen (musician)
• Frank Sinatra (singer)
• Meryl Streep (actress)

Political Figures

• Grover Cleveland (former U.S. President)
• Aaron Burr (former U.S. Vice President)
• Cory Booker (U.S. Senator)

State Government Services

New Jersey provides a range of public services through various state agencies.

Health Services

• Medicaid, NJ FamilyCare

Social Services

• Food assistance, welfare programs

Environmental Agencies

• New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection

Parks & Recreation

• State parks and recreational areas
• Wildlife management and conservation

Key Historical Documents & Landmarks

Historic documents and sites reflect New Jersey's journey through statehood and significant historical events.

State Constitution

• Original 1776 Constitution
• Current constitution with amendments

Historical Sites

• Princeton Battlefield State Park
• Trenton Barracks
• Cape May Historic District

Archival Repositories

• New Jersey State Archives
• Rutgers University Libraries

Environmental Initiatives

New Jersey focuses on conservation and management of its natural resources.

Conservation Programs

• Pine Barrens preservation
• Coastal management and protection

Air and Water Quality

• Monitoring and regulation of emissions
• Water resource management

Renewable Energy

• Offshore wind projects
• Solar energy initiatives

Major Events & Conferences

New Jersey hosts various events and conferences that highlight its culture and industries.

Music Events

• Sea.Hear.Now Festival
• Various local music festivals

Cultural Events

• New Jersey State Fair
• Atlantic City Airshow
• Various cultural festivals in urban areas

Sports Events

• Major golf tournaments
• Horse racing events
• Various college sports events

Trade Shows

• Pharmaceutical industry conferences
• Various industry-specific conferences