HISTORY After more than 11,000 years of Native American
inhabitation, the Dutch and the Swedes settled the region now known as New
Jersey. Subsequently, the British seized the area and remained in control until
New Jersey finally fell into American hands. New Jersey, admitted to American
statehood on December 18, 1787, was the third state to ratify the U.S.
Constitution. In November of 1789, New Jersey became the first state of the
Union to ratify the Bill of Rights.
Wars of the times played significant roles in the formation of modern-day New
Jersey. Several important battles of the American Revolutionary War took place
here, and while the Civil War politically divided the citizens of New Jersey,
there were no battles of that war fought within the state. NJ was also a leading
production center during both World Wars, with battleships, cruisers and naval
destroyers manufactured in the state. Additionally, Camp Kilmer, Fort Dix and
Camp Merritt all served as an aid to American soldiers during both World Wars.
After the WWII, the industrial scene began to explode. With the construction of
more factories and the expansion of railroad tracks, what was once a primarily
agrarian economy transformed into one based in industry. The industrial era led
New Jersey into a prosperous economic period during the 1920?s and continued
through the 1940?s with the exception of the short period during the Great
Depression. Today, New Jersey lies in the heart of the Bos-Wash megalopolis
(Boston to Washington, DC), whose strategic position served to fuel the state?s
rapid growth from the 1950?s through the present.
DEMOGRAPHICS According to the Census 2000 Data, NJ (with a
population of 8.4 million residents) remains the nation?s most densely populated
state. Census Bureau estimates in 2005 report the population as 8,717,925. These
estimates claim an increase of 32,759 (0.4%) from the 2004 and an increase of
303,578 (3.6%) since the last official census in 2000. This 2005 total
represents a natural increase of 220,220 people since Census 2000 (that is
604,110 births minus 383,890 deaths) and growth due to net migration of 95,293
people into NJ. Foreign immigration represented a net increase of 290,194
citizens.
There are 1.6 million (19.2%) foreign-born residents that live in NJ. Its five
largest groups of ancestry are Italian (17.9%), Irish (15.9%), African American
(13.6%), German (12.6%) and Polish (6.9%). With such an assorted population, NJ
is among the nation?s most ethnically and religiously diverse states. By
percent, New Jersey has the largest Jewish population, the second largest Muslim
population, the second largest Indian American population and the fourth highest
Italian-American population in the country.
GEOGRAPHY New Jersey, which covers 8,722 square miles, is
America?s fifth smallest state in size. The heart of the state remains primarily
suburban, while those citizens residing in the southern portion of the state
live within the massive Philadelphia Metro Area. Other sections of NJ lie within
the metropolitan areas of Delaware Valley and New York. The major urban areas in
NJ include Edison, Elizabeth, Jersey City, Newark, Paterson and Woodbridge
Township. New Jersey shares its borders with New York in the north, the Atlantic
Ocean to the east, Delaware in the southwest and Pennsylvania in the west.
The terrain located throughout New Jersey offers the wide diversity of mountain
ridges and the shores of the Atlantic Ocean. Three distinct geographic regions
divide the area. These include North, Central and South Jersey. North Jersey
primarily lies within the New York metro area, while South Jersey is within the
Delaware Valley and Pennsylvania. Central Jersey is largely a suburban region;
however, many residents do not consider Central Jersey as a distinct entity from
the North and South regions.
The ?Garden State? offers stunning scenery with a wealth of natural attractions.
Popular geographic features in NJ include the Delaware Water Gap, The Highlands,
New Jersey Meadowlands, the Palisades, Pine Barrens and South Mountain. NJ?s
eastern coast is home to Sandy Hook, a recreational beach popular to tourists.
In addition, the National Park Service manages the Appalachian National Scenic
Trail, Delaware National Scenic River and the Edison National Historic Site in
West Orange. At 1,803 feet, High Point (in Montague Township) is New Jersey?s
highest elevated point.
ECONOMY New Jersey enjoys a bustling economy which
produced a total state product of $416 billion in 2004. Residents earn a
personal per capita income of $41,636, which is 126% of the national average of
$33,041. Nine of NJ?s 21 counties rank among the wealthiest 100 in the United
States. Many of northern NJ?s citizens have the option of commuting to New York
City for additional employment opportunities.
New Jersey?s industrial outputs include electric equipment, chemical and
pharmaceutical products, food processing, printing, publishing and tourism. NJ
boasts an abundance of oil refineries and the largest petroleum containment
system within the United States. It is also home to the world?s most significant
concentration of Fortune 500 companies. Major tourist attractions include Six
Flags Great Adventure, which brings in more than $30 billion per year and is
among the world?s largest theme parks. New Jersey is one of America?s top ten
most popular states in which to vacation.
AGRICULTURE New Jersey boasts a booming agricultural industry
that plays a significant role in the state?s economy. NJ?s largest crop outputs
include cranberries and eggplant. Additional agricultural products are dairy
products, fruits, horses, nursery stock, nuts, and seafood. Located in southern
NJ, Hammonton claims the title of blueberry capital of the world.
TRANSPORTATION
New Jersey has an extensive transportation infrastructure with a variety of
convenient options for travel. The New Jersey Turnpike, one of the most highly
traveled U.S. roads, accommodates a large portion of in-state traffic, in
addition to commuters traveling from destinations between New York to Delaware.
Additional expressways in NJ include the Atlantic City Expressway, Garden State
Parkway and Palisades Interstate Parkway. Numerous interstate highways criss-cross
the state. These include Interstates 78, 80, 95, 195, 287 and 295.
One of the nation?s busiest airports, Newark Liberty, operates through the Port
Authority?s of both New York and New Jersey. NJ also has two smaller commercial
airports in operation. These include Atlantic City International and
Trenton-Mercer Airport. Commuters enjoy NJ?s extensive bus and rail service
which run throughout the state.
EDUCATION New Jersey is home to nine state colleges and
universities, including Kean University, Rowan University and William Paterson
University. Nineteen community colleges serve the state?s 21 counties. Numerous
private facilities for higher learning exist in NJ, including such renowned
universities as
Princeton, Rutgers, and Seton Hall. There are more engineers and scientists per
square mile living in New Jersey than anywhere else in the world.
If you or a loved one have been injured in a
tractor trailer accident, you need the experienced lawyers of Munley, Munley
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Complete our short form and one of our attorneys will contact you shortly to
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About
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