New Jersey is a state with many fascinating and unusual facts. With its world-class universities, leading technology and biological science firms, and one fast turnpike, this small Northeastern state packs a huge punch. The state is also home to legendary musical talent and is a popular destination for tourists. New Jersey’s top attractions are found on its 125-mile Atlantic coastline, where the dunes are topped with coarse but fragile grass and the marshes teem with wildlife. There are upscale resorts in Wildwood and Atlantic City, and family-friendly beaches in Avalon and Ocean City.
In the 19th century, northern New Jersey became a highly industrialized state, with cities such as Paterson, Trenton, Camden and Elizabeth booming with factories that produced textiles, trains, silk, clay products and iron. Southern New Jersey remained primarily rural, producing crops to feed the urban centers to the north.
Today, New Jersey is a mostly suburban state. It has a large African American population and is home to many Puerto Ricans, Mexicans and Cubans. The state is still home to some of the largest Jewish communities in the United States, and its population has become increasingly diverse since the late 20th century, with new arrivals including South Asians, Portuguese and different Latin American groups.
The state is dotted with numerous historical landmarks, and is known as a place to learn about America’s rich history. Many of the state’s towns and villages are listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and there are also several parks that showcase some of the state’s natural beauty. The most famous landmark is the Liberty Bell, which was a symbol of the revolution that led to the formation of the United States of America.
New Jersey’s coastline is lined with white sandy beaches, where the summer crowds throng the boardwalks of Atlantic City and Wildwood, and family-friendly beaches such as Ocean City and Beach Haven. The beaches are backed by dunes that are topped with coarse but fragile grass and inhabited by wildlife such as osprey, which nest in the trees that have been bent and twisted by the salt spray and wind.
The five northeastern counties of Essex, Hudson, Bergen, Passaic and Union contain nearly two-fifths of the state’s population. Their old, outmoded factories and decaying downtown department stores have given way to sleek suburban shopping centers. The state’s aging population has seen a shift away from the city and into the suburbs, where there are more jobs available. This trend is reflected in the state’s demographics, with older white residents moving out and African Americans and Hispanics making up an increasing proportion of the population. This shift has had a direct effect on the state’s economy, with older businesses closing and young companies setting up shop in the suburbs. This has helped to make the state more attractive to potential employers. The state is now a hub for biotech and pharmaceuticals, as well as electronics. Its financial sector is thriving, and its transportation network includes the world’s most extensive underground rail system.