New Jersey is a state located in the northeastern United States. It is part of the Metropolitan Area of New York City and lies at the center of the Northeast megalopolis. It is bordered by New York on the north and northeast (parts of which are across the Hudson River, Upper New York Bay, the Kill Van Kull, Newark Bay, and the Arthur Kill); by Pennsylvania on the west; and by Delaware across the Delaware Bay and Delaware. New Jersey is a very densely populated state, with its population concentrated in the urban areas around its large cities.
The state’s economy is primarily industrial, with heavy manufacturing and service industries making up most of the jobs. In addition, the state is a leading transportation hub with major port facilities along its coastal waterways and rail lines. It also has a significant financial services industry.
A large number of the world’s largest corporations are based in New Jersey. The state is also a center for biotechnology and pharmaceuticals. It has a rich heritage in science, mathematics, and engineering, with Princeton University the birthplace of both quantum mechanics and modern computer science.
In terms of politics, the state is a Democratic stronghold. Since the end of World War II, the state has been controlled by Democrats in all three branches of its government. In the most recent elections, Democrats won control of both the state Senate and Assembly; held both seats in the U.S. House of Representatives; and claimed both of its seats in the U.S. Senate. The state’s governor is Phil Murphy, a Democrat who was elected in 2022.
The land that is now the State of New Jersey was occupied from the earliest times by various indigenous groups, including the Lenape people. In the 16th century, the Dutch founded the colony of New Netherland. The English later seized control of the region, which was renamed after an island in the English Channel, Jersey. New Jersey’s fertile lands and relative religious tolerance attracted a diverse group of European settlers. By the 19th century, northern New Jersey had become heavily industrialized while the southern portion remained agricultural and rural.
Many famous people have connections to New Jersey. Actors Frank Sinatra, Jon Bon Jovi, and Bill Clinton are all from the state. Rock band the Four Seasons formed in Hoboken, and singer Bruce Springsteen has sung about the state on most of his albums. The state is also known for several foods developed within its borders, such as sloppy joe sandwiches, Taylor ham, tomato pie, and salt water taffy. The cuisine of New York City has a great influence on the cooking styles in North Jersey, while Philadelphia’s food is popular in South Jersey. It is also home to the Princeton Theological Seminary, one of the oldest and most prestigious Protestant institutions in the United States. The State’s judiciary is unique among the fifty states in that all judges are appointed by the governor with the advice and consent of the legislature.