New Jersey is a densely populated, industrial state, with the nation’s highest concentration of high-tech companies. It is a center of education, medicine, transportation, and commerce, and has the longest coastline in the contiguous United States.
The state motto “Liberty and Prosperity” has been a prominent feature of the seal for some time, but it was not officially adopted until February 22, 1976, during the centennial celebrations of the state’s independence from Britain. At the same time, the state’s flag was also made official. The New Jersey flag has become one of the most recognizable in the nation, and both have come to symbolize the state’s strong sense of identity and pride.
Native American peoples have lived in the area that is now New Jersey for six thousand years. They called the region Scheyichbi, meaning “shelf” or “table.”
During the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries, European colonists shaped the territory with their agricultural and manufacturing endeavors. They brought enslaved Africans to the area, and by the early 1800s they represented a substantial portion of the state’s population. New Jersey’s complex settler and colonial past makes the state a distinctive place.
Throughout the twentieth century, New Jersey was an incubator for progressive political and social reform movements. The state was the first to adopt a series of modern forms of municipal government through legislation. In addition, the state had a strong union presence and was home to a number of worker strikes.
New Jersey’s economy continues to be based on its diversified industries, including manufacturing and service. It has abundant reserves of sand and gravel for the construction industry; is a leader in seafood production, particularly of clams; and offers a large number of parks and scenic areas. Its rich natural resources also include many pristine lakes and rivers, the largest of which is the Delaware River.
The state’s residents are diverse, with a large percentage of the population speaking languages other than English. The state’s racial and ethnic diversity makes it one of the most multicultural states in the country.
During World War II, more than 560,000 New Jerseyans served in the armed forces, and its factories produced vital wartime materials. The state has since remained a powerful economic force, and the nickname “The Garden State” remains popular.
The governor and lieutenant governor serve as the only statewide elected executive officers in the state; other top officials are appointed by the governor. The state legislature consists of the Senate and Assembly, both of which are controlled by Democrats. In the judiciary, New Jersey has a Supreme Court and Superior courts, the latter in each of its counties. The state’s current governor is Phil Murphy (D), and its Supreme Court justices are Robert George, Maryanne Kane, and Josephine Kennedy Sharpe. The state’s other Superior court judges are chosen by the governor after recommendations from the state senate and assembly. The state’s judicial system is the fourth most extensive in the country.