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New Jersey [now: dʒə: ʹrsi], abbreviated NJ, state of eastern United
States; 22,600 km2, 8.9 million inhabitants (2018).New Jersey is
located between the cities of New York and Philadelphia, and most of the state
is included in their metropolitan regions. The capital is Trenton.
New Jersey. State Map.
Nature
New Jersey can be said to be two topographically completely different
areas. The northern third of the state is part of the Piedmont Plateau below the
Appalachians. The bedrock here consists mainly of crystalline rocks with a
covering of moraine at the far north and fine-grained weathering soils further
south.
The southernmost, greater part of New Jersey is made up of the fertile
Atlantic coastal plain. The coast is a lowering coast with wide estuaries,
lagoons and beach parallel ridges. Here, sandy soils dominate, and dunes are
common.
New Jersey. The marsh landscape in North Wildwood
in southern New Jersey.
New Jersey has a maritime climate. The annual rainfall is around 1,000
mm. Atlantic City has an average temperature of 0 °C in January and 22 °C in
July.
Population
New Jersey is the most densely populated state in the United States, but
population growth is low. The population of Puerto Ricans and Cubans has been
high, and 20 percent of the population has a Latin American background. More
than half of New Jersey's residents live less than 50 miles from Manhattan, in
cities such as Newark, Jersey City, Elizabeth and Paterson. Another 20 percent
is in the Trenton-Camden area near Philadelphia.
Business
New Jersey has a very diverse business community, strongly influenced by its
proximity to New York. The industry is of the greatest importance, although the
service industries have more employees. The most important is the chemical
industry, with, among other things, extensive pharmaceutical
manufacturing. Other important industries are electronics and food.
Agriculture focuses on the nearby metropolitan markets and produces
vegetables, fruits and dairy products. Trade and transport play a major
role. The state is crossed by major traffic routes and has extensive port and
aviation operations in collaboration with New York and Philadelphia. Atlantic
City is the center of the tourism and recreation industry.
New Jersey. The Atlantic City boardwalk is lined
with casinos and other entertainment establishments.
Research and development activities play an important role. Princeton,
northeast of Trenton, is the seat of one of the nation's most prestigious
universities (founded in 1746).
Tourism and gastronomy
The tourism industry is mainly based on the bathing and recreation activities
on the Atlantic coast, especially to the area around Atlantic City. Since
gambling was legalized in New Jersey in 1976, Atlantic City has gained an
economic boost with a number of large hotels and casinos. Otherwise, the state
can showcase attractions related to industrial historical developments, such as
the iron and engineering industry in Batsto (40 km northwest of Atlantic City)
and Allaire State Park (Howell Iron Works). Thomas A. Edison's laboratory in
West Orange can also be counted here. The war historically interested in
Morristown can study the memories of the war of freedom.
New Jersey. The Wick House is part of the
Morristown National Historical Park. The house was built between 1747 and 1750.
In 1776–80 officers from the colonial army were housed in the house.
The food in New Jersey is characterized by the Dutch and Swedish settler
population's robust domestic food traditions (pots, cheeses, pies and pancakes),
but also by the international mixed cuisine that the proximity to the city of
New York has entailed. The sea contributes raw materials to mussel and oyster
dishes, which are often served after e.g. asparagus in ambush (asparagus
in egg sauce hidden in a bun). The tomatoes are famous and like to become cold
cream tomato soup.
History
New Jersey began to be colonized in the north in 1630 by the Netherlands and
in the south in 1638 by Sweden. In 1664, England took control of the area. New
Jersey was divided into two colonies in 1676 but united in 1702 as a British
Crown Colony.
New Jersey was the site of many battles during the North American War of
Independence (1775-83). Since the beginning of the 19th century, New Jersey has
undergone a strong industrialization, based primarily on the extensive expansion
of canals and later railways. Urbanization continued throughout the 20th
century.
Politically, New Jersey was dominated by Democrats 1865-96 and Republicans
1896-1932, but later became a typical bipartisan state.
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