New Jersey State Geography

So you want to know about New Jersey? Here are some highlights! Also check out the links to other sites about New Jersey.

Key Facts

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Population: 7,904,000 (9th in size)

State size: 7,787 square miles (46th in size)

State Capital: Trenton (named after William Trent, a Philadelphia businessman who laid out the town)

Major cities: Atlantic City, Elizabeth, Newark, Paterson and Trenton

Admission to union: The 3rd State

Date entered the union: December 18, 1787

Origin of state name: Named after Jersey, an island off the coast of England

Nicknames: The Garden State

Bordering states: New York and Pennsylvania with the Atlantic Ocean on the east.

State bird: Eastern Goldfinch

State flower: Purple Violet

State tree: Red Oak

Motto: Liberty and Prosperity

New Jersey is a major industrial area including manufacturing and chemicals. Agriculture also plays a significant role with cattle farming, vegetables and fruit. Its beaches and country side also attract tourists.

Historical Highlights

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The earliest settlers were the Dutch in 1623, followed by the Swedes in 1638. The British later colonized the area. George Washington and his army claimed the land in the name of the United States.