New Jersey is a state in the northeastern U.S. with 130 miles of Atlantic coastline. The state is home to the historic city of Jersey City, located across the Hudson River from Lower Manhattan. Liberty State Park is located in Jersey City, near the iconic Statue of Liberty and the Immigration Museum. Several notable resort towns dot the state’s coastline, including Asbury Park, with its Victorian architecture. It’s also home to the Liberty Island Zoo and the Statue of Liberty.
The state of New Jersey is also home to several popular chains, including Quik Check and WaWa. Quik Check stores are open 24 hours a day, and they serve up a delicious selection of custom subs and hoagies. Portuguese-Americans can sample Brazilian cuisine at one of the state’s many restaurants. Rodizio is a Brazilian style of barbeque that includes chicken hearts and chicken livers. Many of the chain restaurants in New Jersey are open late, so it’s possible to have a late night snack without waiting on a line.
When European explorers first arrived in New Jersey, they were likely surrounded by Native Americans. The Delaware tribe lived along the Delaware River and built villages. The Lenape practiced maize agriculture. Their society was divided into matrilinear clans and three distinct phratries. Eventually, the Dutch settled in the area, and the two states separated in the early 17th century. The American Revolution also shaped the history of the state, but New Jersey was the most influential in the development of the American republic.
New Jersey is also known for its beaches. The Jersey shore offers a variety of recreational activities, including boating and swimming. A trip to Delaware’s southern neighbor will provide you with an experience that is distinctly different from that of New Jersey’s. The state was the first state to ratify the Constitution, and has a unique mixture of rural and urban landscapes. A brief overview of the region is available below, as well as links to the state’s major destinations.
New Jersey borders New York and Pennsylvania on the north and northeast, and is also bordered by the Atlantic Ocean on the west. Its coastline is lined with over fifty seaside resorts, and many of its most famous residents – including Bruce Springsteen, Frank Sinatra, and Jon Bon Jovi – were born in the state. Despite being a major manufacturing hub, New Jersey has earned the nickname of the ‘Garden State.’ It is also one of the leading producers of tomatoes, cranberries, and blueberries.
In addition to a diverse population, the state is culturally and racially diverse. The state’s largest ethnic group, African Americans, Hispanics, and West Indians are all represented. There are also large communities of Arabs, Brazilians, and Portuguese Americans. Asian Indians and South Asians make up a large proportion of the population, and New Jersey is home to the largest Malay community outside of Florida. Additionally, the state has one of the highest concentrations of Japanese, Chinese, and Korean residents.