The northeastern state of New Jersey spans 130 miles of Atlantic coast. The capital city of Jersey City is located just across the Hudson River from Lower Manhattan. Nearby are Ellis Island and Liberty State Park, which includes the Statue of Liberty and the historic Immigration Museum. There are also notable resort towns along the Jersey Shore, including Asbury Park with its Victorian architecture. If you’re looking for a vacation spot on the beach, consider visiting one of the state’s many national parks and state parks.
When European explorers first arrived in the region, Native Americans of the Delaware tribe lived in the area. They lived in small settlements along the Delaware River and spent their days hunting and planting crops. In 1609, Henry Hudson claimed New Jersey and neighboring New York for the Dutch. The state was not separated from New York until 1738, and was never formally incorporated until that year. This history explains the state’s complex history and culture.
New Jersey boasts several major sports leagues. The National Hockey League, Major League Soccer, and NCAA Division I college football teams play in the state. Asbury Park’s home team is the #1-ranked course in the country, while two National Football League teams play in the New York metropolitan area. A visit to New Jersey is sure to be an unforgettable experience for all. And if you don’t like to watch games, the Garden State is home to over 50 major resort towns and cities.
During the Roaring Twenties, New Jersey prospered and became one of the first states to abolish slavery. The state also hosted the first Miss America Pageant in 1921. During the Great Depression, New Jersey offered begging licenses to its unemployed citizens. It was also home to the Hindenburg, which sank in Lakehurst, and the SS Morro Castle, which beached itself near Asbury Park.
Despite its size, New Jersey has diverse landscapes. The Atlantic Coast Plain is the most densely populated region, with low hills and pine forests that stretch across the southern third of the state. In the west, the Hudson and Passaic rivers meet, and the Raritan and Remapo rivers flow through the Piedmont. The state’s largest lake is Lake Hopatcong. The Atlantic Ocean are also part of the state’s landscape.
In the state’s legislature, New Jersey’s government is divided into three branches, or “treasuries”–the executive, the legislative, and the judicial branch. There are six state-appointed senators and four state-elected representatives. In New Jersey, the governor is elected by a majority of the state senate, while state legislators are elected by local voters. In New Jersey, judicial elections are held in odd-numbered years, which follows the presidential election.
New Jersey has two separate courts for civil and criminal cases. The Superior Court is the court that handles more serious civil and criminal cases. Judges in the Superior Court are appointed by the governor with the advice of the majority of the state senate. They serve an initial seven-year term, but may be extended until they reach the age of 70. Unlike most states, New Jersey has separate courts for equity and law. In New Jersey, the courts are separated by geographical location, which makes it difficult to determine whether a state is right or wrong.