Named after the island of Jersey in the English Channel, new jersey is one of the United States’ 13 colonies and a northeastern state bounded by New York to the north and northeast, the Atlantic Ocean to the east and south, and Delaware and Pennsylvania to the west across the Delaware River. Home to native music legends like Bruce Springsteen, Jon Bon Jovi and Frank Sinatra, the state also houses world-class universities and leading technology and biological science firms. New jersey is one of the most densely populated regions in the country, and it has its fair share of natural beauty as well, including a number of famous beaches.
The state’s climate is classified as humid continental, with cold winters and hot, humid summers. Due to climate change, summers in the state have become more intense in both heat and humidity. The northern half of the state is higher in elevation, resulting in cooler spring and autumn temperatures, and the ridge and valley areas offer significant snowfall during the winter. Suburbanization has eaten away much of the agricultural land, but horse farms continue to thrive in the southern Inner Coastal Plain and truck farming is common in the northern part of the state.
During the American Revolutionary War, the state served as an important battleground. Many of the crucial moments of the war took place in New Jersey, including George Washington’s crossing of the Delaware River to surprise a group of Hessian mercenaries at Trenton and the American victory at the Battle of Monmouth. Other landmarks and historic sites in the state include Morristown National Historical Park, where Washington encamped during 1777-1778, and Princeton Battlefield State Park, where American troops defeated British forces in a decisive battle.
New Jersey’s Native American history dates back to the Lenape people, who inhabited the area for thousands of years. The Lenape were an Algonquian-speaking tribe of hunter-gatherers, who lived in villages along the water. After the arrival of European settlers, the tribe’s members began cultivating corn and other crops in what is now the state of New Jersey.
By the end of the 19th century, the state had a strong manufacturing base, and it became known as a financial center. New Jersey was also a leader in civil rights and education. It was the first state to pass a law ensuring that no student would be barred from attending any school because of their race, and it was the first to require teachers to be licensed. In addition, the state became the first to introduce an income tax, which helped schools to be funded equitably.
With a rich history and plenty of popular destinations, there is no shortage of things to do and see in new jersey. Its diversified economy includes finance, tourism, retail and manufacturing, and it has been ranked as the most economically powerful state in the nation. This is in large part because of its close proximity to the world’s largest metropolitan area, which gives the state an advantage in terms of commerce and trade.