🌊New Jersey

The Garden State

New Jersey was the third state to ratify the Constitution and is the most densely populated state in America. Despite its urban and industrial reputation in the New York–Philadelphia corridor, the state retains significant farmland, extensive barrier-island beaches along its 130-mile Atlantic coast, and the vast Pine Barrens — a 1.1-million-acre forest in the state's sandy southern plains.

Revolutionary Crossroads

New Jersey was the "Cockpit of the Revolution" — nearly 300 battles and skirmishes were fought on its soil between 1775 and 1783. Washington crossed the Delaware from Pennsylvania to attack Hessian troops at Trenton on Christmas night 1776, then won again at Princeton a week later. The Continental Army spent multiple winters encamped at Morristown — winters more severe than the famous Valley Forge. Princeton briefly served as the U.S. capital in 1783.

Edison's Lab

Thomas Edison built his laboratory at Menlo Park in 1876, where he developed the phonograph (1877) and the practical incandescent light bulb (1879). He later moved to a larger laboratory in West Orange where he invented the motion picture camera. Edison received 1,093 U.S. patents — most of them for work done in New Jersey.

Industrial Powerhouse

New Jersey's position between New York and Philadelphia and its extensive waterfront made it a natural for heavy industry. Paterson was known as "Silk City" for its textile mills. Camden was home to the RCA Victor record factory. The state is still a pharmaceutical and chemical giant — Johnson & Johnson, Merck, Pfizer (now partially relocated), and Prudential Financial are all headquartered there.

The Jersey Shore

New Jersey's 130-mile Atlantic coastline draws tens of millions of visitors each summer to a string of boardwalk towns: Cape May, Wildwood, Atlantic City, Ocean City, Asbury Park, Seaside Heights. Atlantic City, once the Monopoly game's namesake and America's premier resort, legalized casino gambling in 1977 to revive its economy — a status that has waned as other states opened their own casinos.

New Jersey Facts

• New Jersey is the most densely populated state — about 1,200 people per square mile.
• Every county in New Jersey is classified as a metropolitan area.
• The state is home to nine of the top 100 U.S. universities, including Princeton and Rutgers.
• Bruce Springsteen and Frank Sinatra are both New Jersey natives.
• The state produces more blueberries and cranberries per capita than most states — despite its industrial image, New Jersey's "Garden State" nickname is earned.

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