Known for its long shoreline, New Jersey offers a variety of attractions for outdoor enthusiasts. Its long barrier islands are separated from the mainland by tidal inlets and shallow lagoons. In the 19th century, Cape May was one of the first summer resorts in the United States. In the present, the shoreline is home to diverse ecosystems, from the urban garishness of Asbury Park to the lushness of Deal and Mantoloking.
While New Jersey has two separate judicial systems, both state and local, its state legislature is run by Democrats. In the state’s Senate and Assembly, the Democratic Party controls both chambers of the legislature. The state also has two separate courts of law and equity. A judge can be appointed to one or both of these courts, though in most cases, he or she must be a resident of the state. In the state, municipal courts handle minor criminal offenses and civil matters.
The Delaware area was home to Native Americans about ten thousand years ago. These settlers were primarily Lenni-Lenape. The natives referred to the area as Scheyichbi, which may have meant ‘land of the shell money.’ The Native Americans, in turn, were called Delaware Indians by the Europeans. Giovanni da Verrazzano was the first European to visit the state. Later, Henry Hudson sailed through Newark Bay, claiming the land for the Dutch.
Other notable residents include Jon Bon Jovi, a native of Sayreville. He rose to fame with his hard-rock band Bon Jovi and has written songs about the state. In fact, his band has even named an album after the state. Among the major professional sports leagues in the state are the Major League Soccer team and two National Football League teams based in New York City. So, whether you enjoy watching a game of soccer, watch the Giants, or watch the Mets, the state has a lot to offer.
The New Jersey state flag features a buff background reminiscent of General George Washington’s uniform in 1779. The state seal, designed by Pierre Eugene de Simitiere in 1777, depicts three plows and two goddesses of agriculture and liberty holding a cornucopia of food. Its official seal also features a knight’s head armor. All of these features make it a unique symbol that will stand out in any collection of national symbols.
The Lenni-Lenape people first inhabited the area nearly two thousand years ago. At the time of European contact, Lenapes were the dominant tribe. They practiced maize agriculture and divided their society into matrilinear clans, known as phratries. These people were friendly to the Dutch, who were the first Europeans to visit the region. Their relationship with Europeans was largely through the fur trade.
The state’s low point is level with the sea. At its highest point, it is approximately 250 feet above sea level. During the Great Depression, however, New Jersey offered begging licenses to unemployed residents. During this time, the Hindenburg crashed in Lakehurst, and the SS Morro Castle sank off the coast near Asbury Park. This made the region even more vulnerable to natural disasters. It was important to note that the state was once home to some 20,000 people, so there was no shortage of jobs.