New Jersey is located in the northeast of the U.S. It has 130 miles of coastline on the Atlantic Ocean. The state is also home to the Statue of Liberty State Park. Visitors can also visit Ellis Island, where they can tour the historic Immigration Museum. The state also features several notable resort towns, such as Asbury Park, which preserves many Victorian buildings.
The northern half of the state has a predominantly New York influence, while the southern portion is dominated by Philadelphia. This region is the home to most of the state’s major local television stations. New Jersey also serves as a bedroom community for those working in Philadelphia and New York City. As a result, it has strong regional affiliations, but the states are still surprisingly distinct in their cultures.
New Jersey is known as the Garden State, and its fertile land made it famous in the 18th century. Today, the state is one of the most densely populated states in the country. However, this density of population contrasts sharply with the rugged mountains and immense pine forests in the northwest and the horse country in the south-central area. New Jersey has also become an important industrial center. This has resulted in a high level of pollution and noise, and congested roads. The state is also a complex blend of progressive and conservative, cosmopolitan and parochial.
New Jersey became the third state to join the Union in 1787. The first elected senator was Jonathan Elmer, who served in the Senate until William Paterson was elected in 1789. Its official state seal was designed by Pierre Eugene de Simitiere, in 1777, and features three plows with the goddess of agriculture and liberty holding a cornucopia. The state flag of New Jersey was adopted on March 26, 1896.
Throughout New Jersey, many scenic sites offer beautiful views of the landscape. One of the most scenic sites is the Palisades, where Aaron Burr killed Alexander Hamilton. The cliffs rise 300-500 feet above the valley and offer a spectacular view of New York City. The state also features mountains and rivers. The Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area is located off Interstate 80, and offers a variety of activities such as canoeing and inner-tube rides along the Delaware River.
The State Flower of New Jersey is the violet. This colorful plant has been considered the State Flower of the state since 1913 and became an official symbol in 1971. While some people view violets as “shy” plants, they are a perennial plant found in fields and lawns. They bloom best in the spring and are often considered “shy” by some, but they thrive in New Jersey’s warm spring sun.
Although New Jersey has one of the highest car ownership densities in the United States, drivers still regularly break the speed limit. In fact, it is common for drivers to go over the speed limit on major highways.