When you think about New Jersey, you might imagine that it is a small state, but in reality it is among the most densely populated in the US. It is situated between the Atlantic Ocean and New York City, and is part of the Northeast Megalopolis, which is also home to Baltimore, Philadelphia, and Washington, D.C. Despite its small size, New Jersey is a great place to live, work, and play.
New Jersey has three separate branches of government. The state legislature is comprised of forty legislative districts, with each district electing one senator and two Assembly members. Members of both houses serve two-year terms and are eligible to run for re-election after redistricting. New Jersey has a 10-to-2 split in both houses of the legislature. Governor Phil Murphy was elected on November 7, 2017, and sworn in on January 16, 2018.
During the Roaring Twenties, New Jersey prospered. Atlantic City hosted the first Miss America Pageant in 1921, and the first drive-in movie was screened in Camden in 1933. During the Great Depression, New Jersey offered begging licenses to unemployed residents. The Hindenburg, a luxury airplane, was also wrecked off the shore near Lakehurst, and the SS Morro Castle beached itself near Asbury Park.
The history of New Jersey’s population shows the diversity of its people. Native Americans occupied the region for at least two thousand years. When the Dutch arrived in the 1630s, they settled the area. Henry Hudson, the first Dutch explorer, claimed the land for the Dutch. During the following centuries, settlers began building towns in the region. The Dutch, Italians, and Swedes established towns. During the American Revolution, the state hosted many pivotal battles.
The state is also home to numerous lakes. The largest lake in New Jersey is Lake Hopatcong, which is located near Clinton in Bergen County. The state is also home to several beaches and barrier islands. There are many boardwalks, arcades, rock and roll clubs, and water and amusement parks along the shore. A trip to New Jersey’s coastline will surely leave you wanting to come back again. If you’re planning a family vacation, consider these destinations before you make your final decision.
New Jersey has an inheritance tax. This tax makes it difficult for estates to sell real estate in the state. To avoid this, many New Jersey residents opt to sell their property and move to another state. This is an extremely common situation, so you’ll want to consider all of the options you have before you make a decision. While you might be tempted to sell your home and move to another state, remember that New Jersey has many advantages.
New Jersey is home to many celebrities. Famed musicians, such as Jon Bon Jovi, hail from Sayreville. The band also wrote several songs about the state and named one of its albums after it. Besides the arts and entertainment, New Jersey is home to six major professional sports leagues. A Major League Soccer team is based in Sayreville, and two National Football League teams play in the New York metropolitan area. A few other popular sports teams call New Jersey home, including the New York Mets and the Philadelphia Eagles.