New Jersey is a state on the Atlantic coast of the United States
of America. It is bordered by Delaware to the south,
Pennsylvania to the east,
New York State to the northeast, and
the rest of the Atlantic Ocean. New Jersey is one of the fifty
states that, together with Washington, D.C., make up the United
States. Its capital is Trenton and its most populated city,
Newark. It is located in the east-northeast of the country, in
the Mid-Atlantic region. It is bordered to the north by the
state of New York, to the east by the Atlantic Ocean, to the
southwest by the Delaware Bay that separates it from Delaware,
and to the west by the Delaware River that separates it from
Pennsylvania. With 22,588 km² it is the fourth smallest state -
ahead of Connecticut, Delaware and Rhode Island - and with 389
inhabitants/km², the most densely populated. He was the third
admitted to the Union on December 18, 1787.
It is
primarily located within the extensive metropolitan areas of New
York and Philadelphia. New Jersey's economy depends primarily on
its manufacturing and pharmaceutical industries and the
provision of transportation services. It is one of the most
industrialized states in the country. Products manufactured in
the state, as well as other products produced in neighboring
states, are exported through ports located along the Hudson and
Delaware rivers. New Jersey is also one of the national leaders
in the production of chemical agents. By 2017, it was the second
richest state in the country in average household income.
Tourism is also one of the main sources of income in the
state. The main tourist attractions are its numerous beaches
located in relatively sparsely populated regions. In addition to
this, for its numerous gardens and parks, the state is nicknamed
The Garden State.
More than one hundred battles and
confrontations between American militias and British troops were
carried out in New Jersey. The most famous of these occurred on
December 26, 1776, when George Washington made his famous
crossing of the Delaware River during the Battle of Trenton.
After the independence of the United States, New Jersey was the
third state to ratify the Constitution, on December 18, 1787.
North West Skyland Region (Counties: Sussex, Warren, Morris,
Hunderdon, Somerset)
North East Gateway Region (counties:
Bergen, Essex, Hudson, Passaic, Union, Middlesex)
Western
Delaware River Region (Mercer, Burlington, Camden, Gloucester,
Salem counties)
Eastern Shore Region (Monmouth, Ocean
counties)
Greater Atlantic City (Atlantic County)
Southern
Shore region in the far south (Counties: Cumberland, Cape Mahy)
1 Newark - the largest city in New Jersey, home of Newark Liberty
International Airport
2 Jersey City – the second largest city in New
Jersey
3 Hoboken
4
Elizabeth
5 Trenton - capital of the state
of New Jersey
6 Princeton - college town
7
Atlantic City - seaside
resort and gambler's paradise
New Jersey has many scenic spots, including the majestic Palisades
(where Aaron Burr murdered Alexander Hamilton) on the west bank of the
Hudson River, across from New York City. These cliffs are 300 to 500
feet high and offer a panoramic view of New York City on the other side
of the river. There are also mountains in the western part of the state
with many trails.
Just off Interstate 80 is the majestic and very
wild Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area. You can inner tube
down the Delaware River or go canoeing.
On Christmas Day, just
north of Trenton off NJ 29, you can watch a reenactment of Washington's
crossing of the Delaware River.
Whatever your interests, you will find them in New Jersey. There are great beaches for surfing, swimming, sunbathing, and volleyball in the summer, and running, walking, dog walking, and kite flying in the off-season. There is also skiing in the Skylands area, hot air ballooning in Clinton, and canoeing in the Pine Barrens. There are hiking trails and campgrounds, especially in southern and northwestern New Jersey. There are many nature preserves for birdwatchers and photographers. Many bed and breakfasts Two professional football teams, horse racing at Monmouth Park and the Meadowlands Racetrack in the Meadowlands Sports Complex, eight baseball teams (at last count), and a new professional women's soccer team, Sky Blue Soccer, are among the spectator sports The city is also home to many museums, concert halls, and historic sites. There are many museums, concert halls, and historic sites, and George Washington's winter headquarters is also located in Morristown. Several tourist railroads and preservation organizations operate Santa and Easter Bunny trains (in season). There are several college towns, including New Brunswick (Rutgers) and Princeton. There are places of worship of various religions and in various languages. There is virtually every kind of food imaginable. There is a great nightlife, including casinos in Atlantic City, Albert Hall in Wallertown, clubs in Belmar, and jazz in Madison. There are several amusement parks, Main Street stores and boutiques, craft shows, antique stores, estate sales, yard sales, flea markets, farm stands, farmers' markets, and countless other shopping There are spots for all kinds of shopping.
With more than 9 million inhabitants on about 22,500 km² (about the
size of Hesse), New Jersey is the most densely populated state in the
USA. And that, although there is no really big metropolis here. Rather,
much of the state is made up of a dense network of medium-sized cities,
towns and suburbs that are part of the metropolitan areas of New York
City to the north and Philadelphia to the south. On a larger scale, New
Jersey is part of BosWash, the densely populated chain of cities that
stretches from Boston to Washington.
New Jersey has a very
multicultural population that has immigrated from different parts of the
world over time. The largest group is that of Italian-Americans, which
includes about 18% of New Jerseyans. Many Americans associate New Jersey
primarily with this demographic. The stereotype of an uneducated
Italian-American with a gold chain and gelled hair is called Guido, and
its female counterpart is Guidette - a stereotype particularly
propagated by the MTV series Jersey Shore. Of course, most real-life New
Jerseyans don't like being associated with this cliché, and
Guido/Guidette are considered racist swear words to be avoided. Another
successful series associated with New Jersey is The Sopranos, which is
about an Italian-born mafia family.
Newark Liberty International Airport offers the most convenient
international service to New Jersey. Atlantic City Airport offers
smaller domestic service, but travelers should be aware that it is quite
far from most destinations outside of Atlantic City.
Newark
Liberty International Airport (EWR IATA) in Newark. A major hub for
United Airlines, the airport has three passenger terminals, connected by
a monorail that extends to the airport's rail station.
John F.
Kennedy International Airport (JFK IATA) in Queens, New York City. It is
the busiest international air gateway to the United States and North
America and one of the busiest airports in the world with over 90
airlines." JFK" is a JetBlue operating hub and a major international hub
for American Airlines and Delta Air Lines.
LaGuardia Airport (LGA
IATA) in Queens. It is the smallest of the three major airports in the
New York area and serves domestic and Canadian destinations.
Atlantic
City International Airport (ACY IATA), near Atlantic City. A joint
civilian-military airport accessible from Exit 9 of the Atlantic City
Expressway, it is served primarily by Spirit Airlines to and from
southern Florida cities.
Trenton-Mercer Airport (TTN IATA), near
Trenton. One of the lesser-used airports, but Frontier Airlines operates
flights to and from certain southern and Midwest cities.
Lehigh
Valley International Airport (ABE IATA) in Allentown is within driving
distance of Warren County, New Jersey, and cities in northwestern New
Jersey.
Philadelphia International Airport (PHL IATA) is located in
the Delaware Valley region of Pennsylvania. It is a major hub for
American Airlines, serving the entire United States, Canada, the
Caribbean, Latin America, Europe, and the Middle East.
Many bus companies serve New Jersey, and typical long-distance intercity bus routes make limited stops between New York and Philadelphia, Baltimore, and Washington, DC. There are also direct express buses from New York or Philadelphia to Atlantic City. Commuter buses operate from New York and Philadelphia to locations not served by long-distance bus companies in northern and central New Jersey. Unlike other states, fares on intercity bus routes are not much higher than on commuter buses and are sometimes cheaper than rail travel:
Bolt Buses operate buses from Newark Penn Station to New York City,
with some routes running north to Boston and south from Newark to
Philadelphia and Washington, DC, on two separate routes. There is also a
route from Cherry Hill Mall to New York City (33rd St btwn 11th & 12th
Ave stops)
Megabus (Megabus) A line that runs north from Secaucus to
Boston and south to Baltimore and Washington, DC. Separate routes from
Princeton and New Brunswick to New York City. Tickets are not sold only
between Princeton and New Brunswick. And a third route from Ridgewood to
Albany NY.
Greyhound & Lucky Streak, ☏ +1 800 231-2222, operates
buses along I-95/295 between New York, Mount Laurel, and Philadelphia.
Some variations of this route are nonstop service between New York and
Philadelphia, or service to Philadelphia via Newark and Camden. Several
Greyhound routes continue south from Mount Laurel to Philadelphia via
Wilmington, DE, Baltimore, MD, New Carrollton, MD, and Silver Spring, MD
to Washington, DC. Separate routes operate from New York City (via
Garden State Pkwy) and Philadelphia (via Atlantic City Expressway) to
Atlantic City.
Peter Pan/Bonanza Bus Company (☏ +1 800 343-9999).
Operates buses between New York, Newark, Mt. Laurel, Camden, and
Philadelphia. Some routes connect New York City and Philadelphia
nonstop, while others go from Mount Laurel to Washington, DC via
Wilmington, DE, Baltimore, MD, New Carrollton, MD, and Silver Spring,
MD.
Omnibus la Cubana, (Union City depot) 406 32nd St, Union City,
NJ, ☏ +1 201 864-6800. operates between Miami and New York, with stops
in Union City and Elizabeth, NJ.
Peter Pan/Bonanza Bus Company, ☏ +1
800 343-9999. operates between New York, Newark, Mount Laurel, Camden,
and Philadelphia. Some routes connect New York and Philadelphia nonstop,
while others go from Mount Laurel to Washington, DC via Wilmington,
Delaware; Baltimore, Maryland; New Carrollton, Maryland; and Silver
Spring, Maryland.
Martz Group (Martz Trailways),☏ +1 570 821-3838.
Martz Trailways serves New York City, Hackettstown, Panther Valley Mall,
Atlantic City, Wilkes-Barre, Scranton, Stroudsburg, Poconos,
Philadelphia (New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania) on commuter and
intercity routes between New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania.
Academy Bus, ☏ +1 201 420-7000, toll-free: +1 800 442-7272. Operates
commuter service from New York to Burlington, Mercer, Middlesex,
Monmouth, and Ocean counties in New Jersey. Also operates the Casino
Express to Atlantic City from the Port Authority Bus Terminal and 85th
St Candy Store on E 85th St between 3rd Ave and 2nd Ave in NYC.
Coach
USA. operates to various locations in New Jersey under a variety of
brands including Megabus:
Community Coach scheduled service from
Morris and Essex Counties to New York City.
Rockland Coaches operates
commuter bus service between New York City and Bergen County, NJ and
Rockland County, NY. It also provides local bus service within and
between the two counties.
Olympia Trails, as Orange-Newark-Elizabeth
Bus (ONE/Independent Bus), provides local bus service between Orange,
Newark, and Elizabeth, New Jersey, and Newark Liberty International
Airport and Midtown Manhattan Newark Airport Express operates between
Newark Liberty International Airport and Midtown Manhattan and JFK
International Airport. It also operates Megabus routes from New York
City to Boston, Washington, Baltimore, Albany, Ridgewood, NJ, and
Toronto.
DeCamp, ☏ +1 973 783-7500, connects New York City with
Nutley, Caldwell, Bloomfield, Montclair, Roseland, Kearny, and Orange in
northern New Jersey.
Commuter, casino, and charter service in Mercer,
Middlesex, and Somerset Counties, NJ.
Lakeland Bus Lines, ☏ +1 973
366-0600, commuter bus service between New York City and northern New
Jersey's Essex, Morris, and Sussex counties.
Greyhound Quicklink A
subsidiary brand of Greyhound that operates frequent and inexpensive
commuter buses between Greyhound Station in Mt. Laurel and the Port
Authority Bus Terminal in Manhattan.
New Jersey Transit (☏ +1 973
275-5555). Provides commuter bus service on multiple routes from New
York City and Philadelphia to various parts of New Jersey, and operates
bus routes between cities and towns in New Jersey and adjacent states.
Amtrak.
A single line through New Jersey, with Northeast Regional
and Keystone service with stops at Newark Penn Station, Newark Liberty
International Airport, Eiselin Metropark, New Brunswick, Princeton Junk,
and Trenton. The Acela Train stops only at Newark Penn Station, New
Brunswick, and Trenton, and the Vermonter stops only at Newark Penn
Station, Eiselin Metro Park, and Trenton. Other Amtrak trains going
further south past Washington, DC (Crescent, Carolinian, Silver
Service/Palmetto, etc.) and west toward Pittsburgh (Pennsylvanian) stop
only at Newark Penn Station and Trenton.
NJ Transit.
From New
York to Bay Head (North Jersey Coast Line), Gladstone (Gladstone Branch
Line), Hackettstown (Morristown Line, Montclair-Boonton Line),
Highbridge (Raritan Valley Line), Port Jervis (Bergen County/Maine/Port
Jervis Line) , Spring Valley (Pascack Valley Line), and Trenton
(Northeast Corridor Line), to northern and central New Jersey and
southern New Jersey from Philadelphia to Atlantic City, operating rail
service on multiple lines in multiple directions. The ''Northeast
Corridor'' line operates between New York and Trenton on the same route
as Amtrak trains, only with more stops, including a stop at Newark
Liberty International Airport.
Other regional rail lines running
within New Jersey include
Port Authority Transit Corporation (PATCO).
Operates a single route from Philadelphia to Lindenwood via Camden,
Collingswood, Haddon Township, Haddonfield, Cherry Hill, and Voorhees
Township.
Port Authority Trans-Hudson (PATH)☏ +1 800 234-7284,
operating a single route from Midtown and Lower Manhattan to Newark,
Harrison, Hoboken, and Jersey City in northern New Jersey.
NY
Waterway and Seastreak offer ferry service from Manhattan to New Jersey
ports; NY Waterway crosses the Hudson River to nearby Hoboken,
Weehawken, and Jersey City; Seastreak near Sandy Hook NY Waterway
operates across New York Bay to the towns of Highland and Atlantic
Highlands.
Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority
(SEPTA). Multi-line regional rail service from Philadelphia 30th St
Station to surrounding suburbs in southeastern Pennsylvania,
Philadelphia International Airport, Wilmington DE, and Trenton. By Boat.
The Cape May-Lewis Ferry operates a ferry from Cape May, New Jersey,
to Lewis, Delaware, carrying both people and automobiles.
The New Jersey Turnpike ("Turnpike") is part of Interstate 95, a toll
road that runs north-south through the state. Interstate 80 and 78
provide access from the west. The Garden State Parkway ("Parkway") is in
many ways the backbone of the state, connecting many major cities in the
north with the Jersey Shore region in the south. Interstate 287 serves
as a ring road around New York City and is a nearly C-shaped Interstate
that loops from Staten Island west to Bridgewater and north through
Morristown and Parsippany to Marwa and New York State. Interstate 280 is
a short but busy interstate that extends from I-80 through Montclair,
Orange, Newark, and finally ends at the Turnpike.
Most Delaware
River crossings and crossings into New York are tolled one way out of
New Jersey. Tolls range from $1 to $5 for the Delaware River bridge and
$15 for the New York City bridge. Interstate 295 connects Trenton with
the Delaware and Philadelphia and runs parallel to the New Jersey
Turnpike, making it a toll-free alternative for local traffic.
Believe it or not, hitchhiking can get you out of the New York
metropolitan area. For longer distances, it is best to take NJ Transit
to the suburbs, preferably to a stop near (i.e. within walking distance
of) a major highway like the Interstate. From there, go to the onramp
and give it the thumbs up. However, New Jersey's laws regarding
hitchhiking are notoriously vague, and you may get hassled by the local
police, so use common sense and prudence.
If you're trying to get
west to Pennsylvania, take NJ Transit to Mount Olive, a five-minute walk
from I-80.
The George Washington Bridge connecting New Jersey and Manhattan over the Hudson River can be crossed by bicycle or on foot, and there are bridges on the Delaware River that can be crossed on foot, including the Benjamin Franklin Bridge from Philadelphia. It is also possible to cross the land border with Rockland County, New York, to the north.
In addition to Amtrak's limited stops, numerous companies operate
commuter trains within New Jersey:
Port Authority Trans-Hudson (PATH)
☏ +1 800 234-7284; operates a single route from Midtown and Lower
Manhattan to Newark, Harrison, Hoboken, and Jersey City in northern New
Jersey.
Port Authority Transit Corporation (PATCO). Operates
high-speed trains from downtown Philadelphia to suburban towns in
southern New Jersey (Camden, Collingswood, Haddon Township, Haddonfield,
Cherry Hill, Voorhees Township, and Lindenwood).
Amtrak. Northeast
Regional and Keystone Service operate a single route through New Jersey,
with stops at Newark Penn Station, Newark Liberty Airport, Eiselin
Metropark, New Brunswick, Princeton Junk, and Trenton. The Acela Train
stops only at Newark Penn Station, New Brunswick, and Trenton, and the
Vermonter stops only at Newark Penn Station, Eiselin Metropark, and
Trenton. Other Amtrak trains heading further south past Washington, DC
(Crescent, Carolinian, Silver Service/Palmetto, etc.) and west toward
Pittsburgh (Pennsylvanian) stop only at Newark Penn Station and Trenton.
Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA). Regional
rail line connecting Trenton and West Trenton with Philadelphia.
NJ
Transit, ☏ +1 973 275-5555, toll-free: +1 888 tips-njt (8477-658).
Operates a network of trains, light rail, and buses connecting
communities throughout the state. The service can be used for travel
from New York City to Newark Liberty International Airport, Trenton, and
Philadelphia, and from Philadelphia to Atlantic City. The website allows
users to plan itineraries by all available modes of transportation in a
user-friendly manner.
For information about the state of New Jersey, please click here.
The following operate routes within the state
New Jersey Transit
(☏ +1 973 275-5555). A state-funded transit agency that operates rail,
light rail, transit buses, and express buses throughout the state. Some
buses operate within specific cities and towns, while others travel to
and from cities and towns within the state or to neighboring New York
and Philadelphia.
In addition to the above, there are a number of
private companies that operate bus routes within certain counties and
private companies that operate commuter routes from those counties to
New York City.
Academy Bus, ☏ +1 201 420-7000, toll-free: +1 800
442-7272. operates commuter service from New York to Burlington, Mercer,
Middlesex, Monmouth, and Ocean counties in New Jersey. Also operates the
Casino Express from New York City to Atlantic City.
Coach USA.
operates to various locations throughout New Jersey under different
brands:
Community Coach provides scheduled service from Morris and
Essex counties to New York City.
Suburban Trails provides commuter,
casino, and charter service in Mercer, Middlesex, and Somerset Counties,
NJ.
DeCamp, ☏ +1 973 783-7500, between New York City and Nutley,
Caldwell, Bloomfield, Montclair, Roseland, Kearny, and Orange in
northern New Jersey.
Rockland Coach operates commuter buses between
New York City and Bergen County, NJ and Rockland County, NY. It also
provides local bus service within and between both areas.
Peter
Pan/Bonanza Bus Company, ☏ +1 800 343-9999. Operates buses between New
York City, Newark, Mount Laurel, Camden, and Philadelphia. There is also
a nonstop route between New York and Philadelphia.
Olympia Trail
operates a commuter service across the Hudson River between Manhattan
and northern New Jersey. It also operates the Red & Tan brand (possibly
discontinued) around Hudson County, NJ (Jersey City), the
Orange-Newark-Elizabeth Bus (ONE Bus) around Essex County, NJ, the
Midtown Manhattan and Plainfield, NJ Westfield Commuter operates local
service between Midtown Manhattan and Plainfield, NJ, and Newark Airport
Express operates between Manhattan and Newark Airport. It also operates
Megabus routes from New York City to Boston, Washington, Baltimore,
Albany, Ridgewood, NJ, and Toronto.
Greyhound & Lucky Streak, ☏ +1
800 231-2222. operates buses along I-95/295 between New York, Newark,
Camden, and Philadelphia. Some variations of this route are nonstop
service between New York and Philadelphia, or to Philadelphia via Mt.
Laurel. Two routes operate between New York and Newark (via Garden State
Pkwy) and Philadelphia (via Atlantic City Expressway) to Atlantic City.
Lakeland Bus Lines, ☏ +1 973 366-0600, commuter bus service between New
York City and Essex, Morris, and Sussex counties in northern New Jersey.
Martz Group (Martz Trailways), ☏ +1 570 821-3838. Martz Trailways serves
New York City, Hackettstown, Panther Valley Mall, Atlantic City,
Wilkes-Barre, Scranton, Stroudsburg and the Poconos, Philadelphia (New
Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania) on commuter and intercity routes
between New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania.
New Jersey has a unique traffic situation. On many major divided
suburban and urban highways, left turns are not permitted at
intersections. Instead, exit ramps for left turns and U-turns are
located after the intersection, often looping back to the intersecting
road. Some three-way intersections have "juicy handles," small
right-turn loops that exist only for left turns. At both types of turns,
watch for signs that say "U-turns and left turns" or "all turns."
In addition, many signals have a red light followed by a "delayed"
green light to allow oncoming traffic to turn left first. Many such
intersections are indicated by signs hanging from traffic signals, but
it is important to keep an eye on the traffic signal rather than
observing oncoming traffic. Traffic circles ("roundabouts") are also
fairly common, and exits are not always clearly marked. Some toll
bridges along the coast charge only vehicles heading in a particular
direction and accept only cash.
State law does not allow
self-service at gas stations. Simply pull up in front of a fueling
machine and tell the attendant "(amount)" or "(grade), (cash/credit)
please", e.g., "$20, regular, cash, please". New Jersey has the highest
gasoline prices in the nation due to its high gasoline tax, but due to
its proximity to major refineries, prices are slightly lower than in the
neighboring states of New York and Connecticut. For this reason, cash
prices are often lower at smaller gas stations, usually around 10 cents
per gallon cheaper. Check the listed price to see if different gas
stations offer different methods of payment. If you fill up and pay
cash, the attendant will add gasoline to the bill to the nearest dollar.
Fueling yourself with diesel fuel is legal and many truck stops
allow it, but not all gas stations do.
In New Jersey, all traffic
fines are doubled on roads with speed limits of 65 mph (~110 km/h); on
highways with three or more lanes, the left lane is designated for
passing slower traffic, and the New Jersey State Police will arrest you
for driving in the left lane. In addition, New Jersey has a
"lights-on-wipers-on" law, which requires headlights to be on when
wipers are on. The New Jersey State Police are notoriously frenetic and
have a reputation for being a bit flashy throughout the state (it is not
uncommon to see a patrol car whizzing down the left lane at 90-100 mph
on a busy highway). When in doubt, drive on the right side of the road
to be on the safe side (but keep in mind that it is also the law to stay
out of the right lane or slow down when passing a police vehicle parked
on the shoulder). Many New Jersey drivers break highway traffic laws,
usually by speeding.
Toll Road Tip: On the Garden State Parkway,
it is a good idea to carry four-cent and one-dollar coins for change.
Tolls range from 50 cents to $2, depending on location. For the New
Jersey Turnpike, use Interstate 295 when heading north, or connect to
the New Jersey Turnpike via Interstate 195 at Trenton (NJ Turnpike Exit
7A) if you want to save a few dollars. The New Jersey Turnpike is also
the only major roadway in the state that uses sequential numbers for
exits. If you already have a compatible tag, such as the E-ZPass
electronic toll collection system tag or the Illinois I-Pass, use it.
The exit numbering system on the Garden State Parkway is also
confusing, despite some minor changes. In some areas the exits appear to
be nearly identical to the miles shown, while in other areas they run in
sequence, ignoring the miles.
New Jersey is famous for its fresh produce, including Jersey
tomatoes, sweet corn, blueberries, and cranberries. This is because
there are approximately 25,000 restaurants in New Jersey, more stores
per square mile than in any other state in the United States. If that's
not enough, you can also visit the farms and buy directly from them. In
addition, the climate and soil provide an ideal berry-growing
environment.
The area offers everything from fast food to fine
dining, including Italian, French, Portuguese, Chinese, Indian, Korean,
Japanese, and Syrian cuisine. There are also many take-out stores and
eateries, where reservations are not required and customers are quickly
seated and served an inexpensive and extensive menu quickly. Many are
open 24 hours a day and breakfast is served all day.
If you need
to eat breakfast in New Jersey, try the local processed meats known as
"Taylor Ham" or "pork roll." The "Taylor Ham" is commonly used in the
northern part of the state and the "pork roll" is commonly used in the
southern part of the state. A common sandwich in New Jersey is "Taylor
Ham/Pork Roll, Eggs, and Cheese" and is generally served on a Kaiser
roll or bagel. New Jersey is also very well known for its many diners
who serve all kinds of breakfast, lunch, and dinner at very reasonable
prices.
Snacks are also very popular, especially pizza, French
fries, and bagels. Other popular items include submarine sandwiches,
sausage sandwiches, and Italian ice, also known as hoagies or water ice
in South Jersey. Many people also enjoy soft pretzels,
Philadelphia-style cheesesteaks, and scrapple (a loaf made of cornmeal,
pork scraps, and spices, cut into quarter-thick slices, and fried
crisply in butter or butter) breakfast sandwiches.
Salt water
toffee is from Atlantic City in the state. How it was invented is
unknown, but it was popularized thanks to Joseph Fralinger. Salt Water
Taffy has spread to other parts of the United States and to the east
coast of Canada.
Sloppy Joes" are sold in many places in New
Jersey. This is quite different from the food known by that name in
other parts of the United States. In New Jersey, a sloppy joe is a
delicatessen sandwich of turkey, corned beef, or pastrami Sometimes
called cold cuts in other parts of the country, it bears no resemblance
to a sandwich of ground beef and onions in tomato sauce on a hamburger
bun.
Alcoholic Beverage Tax Law
All alcoholic beverages are available
at independent liquor stores. Liquor stores are open daily, but have
shorter hours on Sundays. A very few supermarkets have licenses to sell
beer and liquor, but this is the exception, not the rule. Some are
licensed to sell only warm (not refrigerated) beer and malt (e.g., Mikes
Hard Lemonade), while others are licensed to sell liquor, cold beer, and
wine. Home rule provisions in provincial law allow municipalities to
stipulate in their zoning that establishments selling alcoholic
beverages may not sell anything other than accessories for the
consumption of alcoholic beverages, effectively prohibiting the sale of
beer by drugstores and convenience stores, which is the practice in most
other provinces (with a few exceptions, such as New Brunswick).
Because liquor sales licenses are mostly limited by a quota system based
on population, many communities, especially smaller ones, may have only
one liquor store and one licensed bar or restaurant. Many of the
unlicensed establishments are BYOB, or "bring your own bottle," and
allow people to bring in liquor purchased elsewhere and drink it with
their meals. However, some municipalities prohibit this as well; bars,
restaurants, and liquor stores that were licensed before the quota
system was introduced in the late 1940s are exempt. This is the main
reason there are 48 bars in Wildwood, a small resort community in Cape
May County.
Underage drinking is illegal and common, although
many people object to it; anyone serving alcohol to anyone under 21 can
be prosecuted. Drunk driving is illegal, and there is no sympathy for
those who do it. Anyone caught driving under the influence of alcohol
will be prosecuted and may end up in jail. (However, New Jersey is the
only state in which DUI is not a criminal offense, and violators can and
do face jail time and fines in addition to license suspension or
revocation, and a conviction is not listed on a criminal background
check, despite the fact that it may be.) Smoking in all bars and
restaurants (except designated "cigar bars") is illegal.
Certain
restrictions in the state liquor tax law have a positive side. No
establishment with an in-store consumption license may offer, as a
promotion, a discount on drinks that does not apply to all customers. In
other words, there are no ladies' nights in New Jersey bars.
The
freedom given to municipalities in regulating the sale of alcoholic
beverages extends to allowing complete abstinence from alcohol. Most of
these areas are in South Jersey. The best known is Ocean City, a resort
in Cape May County that was founded by Baptists in the 19th century as a
family resort and is still advertised as such.
There are a variety of local beers to try; Flying Fish, Cricket Hill,
and Cape May Brewing are all recommended. There are also liquor stores
where you can purchase single bottles of beer.
New Jersey, the
seventh largest wine producer in the U.S., produces wine from grapes
grown in the state. There are more than 35 wineries in New Jersey,
producing wines that are highly regarded both nationally and
internationally. New Jersey wineries are located amid rolling hills and
breathtaking scenery. At wine festivals throughout the state, visitors
can sample more than 250 wines, listen to great jazz and blues, and
taste delicious food and artisanal crafts. On the Wine Trail, you can
tour wineries, learn how wine is made, try a whole hog roast, and watch
fireworks.
New Jersey is a fairly safe place to visit. The suburbs and
countryside are very safe, along with most Jersey Shore towns. Urban
areas are mostly safe, but use your general travel sense. Some areas of
Camden, Newark, Atlantic City, Jersey City, and Trenton are crime
ridden, but you are unlikely to visit these areas. As in most U.S.
cities, it is safe to go out at night as long as you stay in well-lit,
well-populated areas.
New Jersey has the highest automobile
ownership density in the U.S., so expect congested highways and the
occasional angry driver. Many major highways are under construction for
expansion, resulting in delays. On the New Jersey Turnpike, the Garden
State Parkway, and other highways, traffic tends to significantly exceed
the speed limit, so expect to be tailgated if you drive in the left
lane. If you don't like that, it's best to stay in the center or right
lane. The watchword is defensive driving.
Firearms are not
allowed in New Jersey under any circumstances. New Jersey does not
recognize any out-of-state gun licenses and no gun crimes less than a
felony. Police are known to enforce these laws vigorously, and if caught
with a firearm, even a traveling hunter will be prosecuted.
It is
also illegal to import fireworks into the state, except as required by
local authorities for special events involving the general public at
parks or beaches (such as Independence Day). It is hard to cross the
border into Pennsylvania and not see signs for fireworks stores along
the border.
While the media and other sources describe the
residents as "rude" and "noisy," most residents are proud of their state
and are happy to help tourists with directions and other tips. Don't
hesitate to ask for help. Some areas, especially the famous Jersey
Shore, are very accustomed to tourists.
Since the 1980s, New
Jersey has seen an increase in the population of black bears, which were
once on the verge of extinction. Black bears are abundant in the forests
of the northwestern counties, but they are expanding their territory to
the south. While they can be dangerous when attacked, the majority of
the time they are simply looking for food. Human attacks are very rare,
but to minimize the likelihood of an encounter, dispose of and dispose
of your garbage carefully so that your scent does not attract hungry
bears.
Depending on which part of the state you visit, the culture, accents,
and local dialects will vary. New Jersey is a small state, but the
northern and southern parts of the state differ greatly. For example,
the North calls a large sandwich a "sub," while the South calls the same
sandwich a "hoagie." The North is more familiar with New York culture,
while the South has strong ties to Philadelphia. This loyalty extends to
professional sports teams as well. It may seem very disrespectful to
ignore these differences small.
New Jersey locals, especially the
larger Italian-American community, are very aware of the stereotypes
fueled by popular television shows such as "Jersey Shore" and "The
Sopranos" and are quite sensitive about how outsiders perceive them.
Please do not assume that everyone from New Jersey is rude, loud, or
uneducated. Blanket or derogatory references to the "New Joisey" accent,
"guido" (working-class Italian-American), or anything negative about New
Jersey are rude and are likely to cause hostility and resentment from
locals. Conversely, most people in New Jersey are surprisingly polite,
sarcastic yet well-meaning and very friendly. Note that there is a
slight difference in reaction between the older, more conservative
generation of New Jerseyans and the younger, more diverse and liberal
generation.
Life in New Jersey is fast paced! New Jersey is a
densely populated state, sandwiched between two huge metropolitan areas.
The "slow pace of life" common in other parts of the country may make
you impatient and even angry. However, if you are looking for a slower
pace in New Jersey, the coastal towns and the southern tip of the state
(many towns south of Atlantic City and east of the Garden State Parkway)
are more relaxing because they are seasonal vacation areas.
New Jersey has four distinct annual seasons.
Winters in New
Jersey are usually cool, with frequent snowstorms that can fall from a
few inches up to two feet (0.61 meters). In the worst winters,
temperatures can drop below freezing, especially in January and
February. However, this varies from year to year, with some years having
relatively mild winter temperatures and only one or two snowstorms.
Spring in New Jersey starts out cold, often with storms in March; by
late April or early May, temperatures begin to rise and trees and
flowers bloom throughout the state.
Summers are brilliantly sunny
but rarely scorching, with occasional heat waves. Humidity is often
high, but there are periods of low humidity, so everyone can enjoy the
weather outside.
Fall foliage begins in September, and
nor'easters (heavy subtropical rains that move along the coast) last
through October. By late September, most leaves fall and winter sets
throughout November.
As the most densely populated US state, New Jersey has many assets,
including a diverse population, rich culture, abundant natural
resources, and Fortune 500 companies.
New Jersey's major cities
are centers of government and commerce, and although deindustrialization
since the 1970s has devastated some of the larger cities, there is still
much to see and do. Princeton, Hoboken, and New Brunswick, in
particular, are great cities and are home to middle- to upper-class
residents. Most middle-class New Jerseyans, however, prefer to live in
the suburbs, which exploded after the war in the 1950s and 1960s. The
wealthy are clustered in older, more established towns and rural areas
such as Alpine, Mendham, and Millburn. More than one-third of the state,
including the Pine Barrens, is rural, sparsely populated, and has little
public transportation.
The northern part of the state is heavily
influenced by New York City, and the southern part by Philadelphia. All
major local television and radio stations serving New Jersey are located
in these cities. New Jersey also serves as a bedroom community for many
people who work in New York and Philadelphia. Thus, a strong sense of
regional belonging within New Jersey is divided along these boundaries,
with distinct cultural differences between "North Jersey" and "South
Jersey.
English language is spoken throughout the state, and Spanish speakers
can be found in Gateway and the larger cities and suburbs of the
Delaware River Valley. In addition, immigrants come from all over the
world, so a New York-like cosmopolitan atmosphere is felt most strongly
in the upstate. Spanish as a second language is ubiquitous. Italian
speakers can still be found in the Italian-American community in the
state, although not as much as in the past. You can also hear Russian,
Chinese, Punjabi, Arabic, Korean, and many other languages.
People come to New Jersey from all over, especially from New York City
and Philadelphia, so it is difficult to isolate the New Jersey accent.
North Jersey accents are heavily influenced by New York City, while
South Jersey accents are heavily influenced by Philadelphia.
Area, location and general information
New Jersey has a total area
of 22,588 km², of which 3377 km² are bodies of water. The state borders
New York to the north and northeast, where the Hudson River forms a
natural boundary. To the west, New Jersey is completely separated from
the states of Pennsylvania and Delaware by the Delaware River. Finally,
to the south, in the Delaware Bay, and to the east, New Jersey has
portions of the Atlantic.
The state is roughly in the shape of
the head and torso of a human, with the head slightly bent forward. From
this image, the head, which is the north of the country, is the region
with the higher elevations in an otherwise flat country. Here in the
Greater Appalachian Valley (also known as the Kittatinny Valley), which
stretches from Alabama to the Hudson River, on the New York State
border, is the High Point, New Jersey's highest mountain, which at 550
meters is the average exceeds the national level by more than seven
times.
The east of the country, the catchment area of the Hudson
and the largest US metropolis, New York City, is densely populated. That
metropolitan area west of the Hudson already includes all four major
cities in the country with Newark, Jersey City, Paterson and Elizabeth.
To the south of this begins the Atlantic coastal plain, which is
more than 200 km long and is a popular holiday destination with its
numerous seaside resorts. The coastal strip is relatively densely
populated, especially in the northern and then again in the southern
part with its numerous medium-sized towns lined up one after the other.
The largest cities along the coast are Long Branch in the north and
Atlantic City in the south, which is important for tourism.
Inland to the southern part, dense forests characterize the image of the
state. A well-known and popular travel destination in this region are
the Pine Barrens, which are protected and are associated with the myth
of the Jersey Devil.
New Jersey was originally settled by Native Americans, and the Lenape were the dominant tribe at the time of the arrival of Europeans. The Lenape were loosely organized into groups that practiced small-scale agriculture (based primarily on growing corn), hunting, and gathering, settled primarily in the region surrounding the Delaware River, the lower Hudson River, and western Long Island Sound. The society was divided into matrilineal clans that were based on common female ancestors. These clans were organized into three different phratries, identified by their sign: turtle, turkey, and wolf. Their first contact with Europeans was with the Dutch at the beginning of the 17th century, and their main relationship was through the fur trade.
The Dutch were the first Europeans to claim the lands of New Jersey.
The Dutch colony of New Netherlands consisted of parts of the
present-day Mid-Atlantic states. Although European ownership of land was
not initially recognized by the Lenape, the Dutch West India Company
required its settlers to purchase land to settle. The first to do so was
Michiel Pauw who established a patronage named Pavonia along the
northern river that eventually became Bergen. Peter Minuit purchases the
lands along the Delaware River and establishes the colony of New Sweden.
The entire region became a territory of England in 1664, when an English
fleet under Colonel Richard Nicolls sailed to what is now New York
Harbor and took control of Fort Amsterdam, annexing the entire province.
During the English Civil War the island of Jersey remained loyal to
the Crown and gave asylum to the king. It was from the royal square of
Saint Helier that Charles II was first proclaimed king in 1649, after
the execution of his father, Charles I. The lands of North America were
divided by Charles II, who gave his brother, the Duke of York (later
King James II), the region between New England and Maryland. James then
granted the land between the Hudson River and the Delaware River to two
friends who had remained faithful during the Civil War: George Carteret
and John Berkeley. The area was named the province of New Jersey.
Since the state's creation, New Jersey has been characterized by
ethnic and religious diversity. New England Congregationalists lived
alongside Scottish Presbyterians and Dutch Reformed migrants. While most
residents lived in towns with individual 100-acre (40 ha) plots, a few
wealthy people owned vast estates. Unlike Plymouth, Jamestown, and other
colonies, New Jersey was populated by a second wave of immigrants who
came from other colonies rather than those who migrated directly from
Europe. New Jersey remained agrarian and rural throughout the colonial
period, with commercial agriculture developing only sporadically. Some
municipalities such as Burlington on the Delaware River and Perth Amboy
emerged as important ports for shipping to New York and Philadelphia.
The colony's fertile lands and tolerant religious policies attracted
more settlers, and the population increased to 120,000 by 1775.
Unlike other colonies that were settled by immigrants from Europe, New
Jersey was settled by a secondary wave of settlement from communities
already established in North America. On March 18, 1673, Berkeley sold
half of his colony to Quakers in England, who settled as a Quaker colony
in the Delaware Valley region. New Jersey was very briefly governed as
two distinct provinces, East and West Jersey between 1674 and 1702,
sometimes as part of the Province of New York or the Dominion of New
England. In 1702 the two provinces were united under a royal colony.
Edward Hyde, Lord of Cornbury, became the colony's first governor. The
Lord of Cornbury was an ineffective and corrupt ruler, accepting bribes
and land speculation, so in 1708 he was recalled to England. New Jersey
was then governed by the governors of New York, but this angered New
Jersey settlers who accused the governors of favoritism to New York.
Judge Lewis Morris led the case for an independent governor, and was
appointed governor by King George II in 1738.
Today the state of New Jersey is one of the richest and most advanced
in the US. Its wealth is due to the proximity of the cities of New York
and Philadelphia.
Its more than 8.8 million inhabitants are very
diverse. It is an important destination for foreign immigrants to the
United States. There is a large Hispanic population, and also many
Chinese and Haitians. New Jersey is also home to one of the largest
Italian communities in the country. It also has a reputation for being
one of the most liberal and tolerant states in the nation. The state
revoked the death penalty in December 2007.
The state of New Jersey has a population of 8,791,894 inhabitants
(2010), representing an increase of 4.5% compared to the 2000 census
population (8,414,350). New Jersey has an area of 19,047.4 km² and a
population density of 461.6 inhabitants/km², making it the most densely
populated state in the United States. It has an urban population of
8,324,126 inhabitants (94.7%) and a rural population of 467,768
inhabitants (5.3%). The ethnic distribution of the state is made up of:
68.6% white
13.7% African American or black
0.3% Amerindians or
Native Americans
8.3% Asian
6.4% from other ethnicities
2.7%
from two or more ethnicities
Its agricultural products include vegetables and fruits (specifically eggplant and blueberries), seafood, and dairy products. Its primary industrial products are: pharmaceutical and chemical products, and tourism. The state is famous for its beautiful beaches, collectively called the Jersey Shore.
Development towards the supremacy of the Democrats
Like
Connecticut, New Jersey, formerly a swing state, has become a
democratically dominated state in recent years.
At the state
level, Republican Chris Christie was elected governor in 2009 and was
confirmed in office in 2013 with a clear majority. The Democrats are
clearly focusing on the large industrial cities of Newark and Jersey
City in the New York metropolitan area, as this is where one of their
classic target groups, the middle and lower class working class and
ethnic minorities, is very well represented. New Jersey has 14 electoral
votes in presidential elections.
Democrats Bob Menendez and Cory
Booker currently represent the state in the US Senate. The latter won
the by-election for the late Frank Lautenberg's mandate against
Republican Steve Lonegan.
The United States House of
Representatives in the 116th Congress includes one Republican and eleven
Democrats from New Jersey.
In December 2007, a majority of the
New Jersey Legislature (Senate and House of Representatives) voted to
abolish the death penalty.
New Jersey is the hub of several major highways and rail lines,
especially the Northeast Corridor. The "New Jersey Turnpike" is one of
the best-known and most used highways in the United States. Commonly
referred to as "The Turnpike", it is also known for its numerous rest
areas, individually named after prominent natural-born citizens of the
state, as diverse as inventor Thomas Edison; United States Secretary of
the Treasury, Alexander Hamilton; United States Presidents such as
Grover Cleveland and Woodrow Wilson; writers James Fenimore Cooper,
Joyce Kilmer among others.
The "Garden State Parkway", or simply
"The Parkway", carries much more state traffic and crosses the state
from the town of Montvale (in northern New Jersey), to the southernmost
tip in Cape May for a total of 172 .4 miles. It is the main road that
connects New York with Atlantic City.
Other freeways in New
Jersey include the Atlantic City Expressway, the Palisades Interstate
Parkway, Interstate 76, Interstate 78, Interstate 80, Interstate 95
(called the "New Jersey Turnpike"), Interstate 195, Interstate 280,
Interstate 287, and Interstate 295.
There is also a state
corporation (NJ Transit) that runs many buses and trains across the
state. Newark Liberty International Airport is in the city of Newark and
is one of the largest airports in the United States.
In the major professional leagues, the only team identified with New
Jersey is the New Jersey Devils, which competes in the National Hockey
League and is based in Newark. However, several New York teams have used
New Jersey stadiums for their home games: the New York Giants and New
York Jets of the National Football League, located in East Rutherford,
and the New York Red Bulls of the Major League Soccer, which they play
in Harrison. Previously, the New Jersey Nets of the National Basketball
Association played in East Rutherford and Newark.
The three most
prominent college teams in New Jersey are the Rutgers Scarlet Knights,
Princeton Tigers, and Seton Hall Pirates.
Since 2008, several
editions of the Barclays PGA Tour have been played in New Jersey.
Likewise, Baltusrol has hosted seven editions of the United States Open.
Trenton Speedway was an oval that hosted AAA National Championship,
USAC National Championship, CART and NASCAR Grand National races in the
1940s to 1970s. Additionally, the Meadowlands Grand Prix was a CART
street race 1984 until 1991.
There is a project to hold the
Formula 1 American Grand Prix on a street circuit in Port Imperial.