New Jersey is a densely populated state that contains both suburban and urban areas. New York City is just across the Hudson River, and Philadelphia is about an hour’s drive away. Its coastline is characterized by sandy beaches that extend for miles into the Atlantic Ocean. Many of the beach towns are crowded during the summer, but the northern part of the shore is quieter and more relaxed. New Jersey has several national parks, including Sandy Hook in the north and Pine Barrens in the south.
Before Europeans arrived, Native American tribes such as the Lenape lived in the region. In the 1630s, Dutch explorer Henry Hudson explored the area, and settlements quickly sprang up. The land was referred to as New Netherland at that time. In the late 17th century, the colonists living in the area became frustrated with British rule and fought for independence from England. In 1776 George Washington defended the city of Trenton from the British, marking one of the first victories of the Revolutionary War.
In the 19th century, New Jersey was a major manufacturing center. In the 20th century, the state diversified its economy, and industries such as pharmaceuticals and computer technology developed in the state. It is also a leading tourist destination, with Atlantic City (the East Coast’s answer to Las Vegas) and other coastal resorts attracting millions of visitors each year.
In recent years, the state’s population has become more diverse. The state’s white citizens have tended to move out of the cities, where they have been replaced by sizable African American and Hispanic populations. As a result, the city centers have suffered from decay and decline. Meanwhile, suburban shopping malls have supplanted downtown department stores and other stores.
New Jersey has a very high percentage of people per square mile, making it one of the most densely populated states in the nation. The state’s population density has prompted the construction of many high-rise apartment buildings and condominiums. It is also known for its luxury shopping and restaurant districts.
New Jersey’s constitution provides that no court other than the Supreme Court shall have jurisdiction over any judicial proceeding challenging the appointment of members to the state redistricting commission or any action, including the establishment of Congressional districts, by the commission or any public officer or body under its authority. This is a constitutionally protected procedure to ensure that the state’s legislative and executive branches have the fullest possible range of legal opinions on important issues. It also limits the number of seats in both houses of the legislature to 100. This allows for quick and thorough consideration of legislation. The state’s political leaders are also well-connected, and many of its residents have been involved in government in some capacity for a long time. New Jersey’s unique method of drawing primary ballots has fueled controversy, especially as the system has been used to advantage certain candidates in the past. In 2008, the Supreme Court upheld the system.