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New Jersey

geography Maturity 5-7 Next article →

New Jersey is a state in the United States. It sits in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic regions.

New Jersey Counties
New Jersey Counties

To the east is the Atlantic Ocean. To the west is the Delaware River. New York State is to the north and northeast. Pennsylvania and Delaware sit to the west and southwest. It is the fifth-smallest state by land area.

Jersey City Skyline sunset (cropped)
Jersey City Skyline sunset (cropped)

However, it is the most densely populated state in the country. This means many people live close together in a small space.

Long ago, the land was shaped by nature. The Appalachian Mountains formed from plates colliding. During the Ice Age, huge glaciers covered the area.

New Jersey Counties by metro area labeled
New Jersey Counties by metro area labeled

When the ice melted, it left behind rivers and swamps. The Lenape people lived here for a very long time. They were the dominant group when Europeans arrived. They lived in groups called clans. These clans used animal signs like the Turtle, Turkey, or Wolf. They grew maize to help feed their families.

European settlers arrived in the early 17th century. Dutch and Swedish colonists built the first settlements.

Nieuw Nederland and Nya Sverige
Nieuw Nederland and Nya Sverige

Later, the British took control of the region. They named it the Province of New Jersey. This name came from the Channel Island of Jersey. The land was very fertile for farming. This drew many different types of people to the area. New Jersey was also a part of the Thirteen Colonies. It saw many battles during the American Revolution.

Washington Crossing the Delaware by Emanuel Leutze, MMA-NYC, 1851
Washington Crossing the Delaware by Emanuel Leutze, MMA-NYC, 1851

Because of these battles, it is called the Crossroads of the American Revolution.

Today, New Jersey is a very busy and modern place. It has over 9.5 million residents.

NJ Capitol
NJ Capitol

Newark is its largest city, and Trenton is the capital. The state is famous for making medicine. People call it the Medicine Chest of the World. It is a huge hub for the pharmaceutical industry. The state also works in film, finance, and digital media. It is even a center for logistics and shipping.

PortNewarkNJTurnpike
PortNewarkNJTurnpike

Many people move here from other countries to find work.

Life in New Jersey is quite unique. It is one of the most developed states.

Map of Income by Location in New Jersey
Map of Income by Location in New Jersey

Many households there earn a high income. In fact, there are many millionaires living in the state. It is also one of the more expensive places to live. The state is growing quickly in the Northeast.

NEC train 3967 passing through Rahway station, June 2007
NEC train 3967 passing through Rahway station, June 2007

This growth comes from a strong economy and new homes. New Jersey remains a very multicultural and diverse place to live.

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🖼️ Images & Media (30)
File:Ru-camden-campus.jpg
Ru-camden-campus.jpg
File:Nieuw Nederland and Nya Sverige.svg
Nieuw Nederland and Nya Sverige.svg
File:Washington Crossing the Delaware by Emanuel Leutze, MMA-NYC, 1851.jpg
Washington Crossing the Delaware by...
File:Princetonwashington.jpg
Princetonwashington.jpg
File:Line of the Morris Canal, New Jersey, 1827.jpg
Line of the Morris Canal, New Jersey, 1827.jpg
File:New Jersey Counties.svg
New Jersey Counties.svg
File:Ethnic Origins in New Jersey.png
Ethnic Origins in New Jersey.png
File:Largest Ethnicity in New Jersey (2020 Census).jpg
Largest Ethnicity in New Jersey (2020 Census).jpg
File:New jersey counties by race.svg
New jersey counties by race.svg
File:New Jersey Counties by metro area labeled.svg
New Jersey Counties by metro area labeled.svg
File:Old Queens, New Brunswick, NJ - looking north, 2014.jpg
Old Queens, New Brunswick, NJ - looking...
File:Cleveland Tower, Princeton University Graduate College, NJ - pinnacles.jpg
Cleveland Tower, Princeton University...

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