NEW JERSEY THE GARDEN STATE New New Jersey is a state with a rich history and many natural resources It is also a land of contrasts and contradictions New Jersey is the fourth-smallest state but one of the most heavily populated Much of the state is covered by cities and roadways It is sandwiched between the major metropolitan areas of New York City New York and Philadelphia Pennsylvania However there is also much natural beauty which surprises many visitors There are quiet forests secluded back roads and many miles of sandy beaches facing the Atlantic Ocean During its colonial days farmers made good use of New Jersey’s rich soil Today farmland covers approximately 15 percent of the state’s land area Bountiful harvests of tomatoes peppers spinach and blueberries feed not only New Jersey citizens but also neighboring states That is why New Jersey is nicknamed The Garden State as a reminder of its agricultural roots A field of sunflowers on a farm in The Garden State 4 NEW JERSEY
Construction began on the Red Mill in Clinton New Jersey In 1810 Over time it was used to grind everything from flour and feed to graphite and talc Today it a museum
NEW JERSEY QUICK FACTS Name New Jersey is named after the island of Jersey the largest of the Channel Islands in the English Channel State Capital Trenton population 84,034 Date of Statehood December 18 1787 3rd state Population 8,958,013 11th-most populous state Area Total Land and Water 8,723 square miles 22,592 sq km 47th-largest state Largest City Newark population 280,579 Nickname The Garden State Motto Liberty and Prosperity State Bird Eastern Goldfinch 6 NEW JERSEY
THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA State Flower Violet State Tree Red Oak State Bug Honeybee State Fruit Blueberry Highest Point High Point 1,803 feet 550 m Lowest Point Atlantic Ocean 0 feet 0 m Average July High Temperature 85 F 29 C Record High Temperature 110 F 43 C in Runyon on July 10 1936 Average January Low Temperature 22 F 6 C Record Low Temperature 34 F 37 C in River Vale on January 5 1904 Average Annual Precipitation 47 inches 119 cm Number of U S Senators 2 Number of U S Representatives 12 U S Presidents Born in New Jersey Stephen Grover Cleveland 1837-1908 NEW JERSEY U S Postal Service Abbreviation NJ QUICK FACTS 7
