New Jersey is home to an impressive array of cultural communities. From the gastronomic delights of New York City’s and Philadelphia’s cuisine to its deep-rooted musical heritage with legends like Bruce Springsteen, the state has long shaped the cultural fabric of the United States.
The state’s physical landscape is divided into four distinct regions: the Ridge and Valley section in the northwest, which traces the folded Appalachian Mountains; the Highlands, which is a southern extension of the ancient rocks of New England that trend across the state in a northeast-southwest direction; the central Piedmont with its rolling hills; and the Atlantic Coastal Plain with its sandy soils. The region’s highest point is High Point, which rises to 1,803 feet (550 metres) and is located in the central Piedmont.
Known for its abundant supply of granite, sand, and gravel for mining, the state is also a leader in the seafood industry, especially clams. The state’s transportation system is one of the busiest in the world, tying the state into the larger Northeast megalopolis by funneling people and goods to New York City and other points north and south.
The New Jersey economy boomed in the nineteenth century as the Industrial Revolution took hold. The state was a leader in manufacturing, textiles, metallurgy, chemical production, and food processing, and it became a leading port.
A strong agrarian tradition persisted, however, and the state’s fertile soils were used to support the nation’s growing population. The state also had a number of well-established transportation networks, including the Delaware and Raritan Canal, which ran from 1834 to 1932; and the New Jersey Railroad, which was completed in the late nineteenth century.
New Jersey remained in the Union during the American Civil War and provided troops, resources, and military leaders to help defeat the Confederacy. After the war, the state’s manufacturing industry continued to grow. It also diversified its population and became a leading destination for immigrants, with many of the new arrivals hailing from southern and eastern Europe. They brought with them religious customs, languages, and cuisines that continue to shape the state.
The state’s residents have diverse backgrounds and careers, from business to government, academia, non-profit leadership, and the arts. Notable New Jerseyans include President Grover Cleveland, author Judy Blume, astronaut Buzz Aldrin, and singer Frank Sinatra. The state’s capital is Trenton, and the Washington Crossing State Park in Trenton marks the spot where George Washington defeated British forces in a pivotal battle of the American Revolution. The state is also home to several colleges and universities, including Rutgers University, Monmouth University, Fairleigh Dickinson University, and Princeton University. Many of the country’s leading law firms, financial institutions, and technology companies are headquartered in New Jersey. The state’s numerous casinos are popular tourist attractions. New Jersey has also been the site of numerous high-profile criminal cases. New Jerseyans have a broad range of legal rights, including the right to equal protection under the law and the right to vote.