New Jersey is the most densely populated state in the nation, with nine million people living within its borders. Its natural resources have made it a key part of the American economy, and it was one of the first states to develop a robust manufacturing sector. The “Garden State” also has a rich history as a producer of agricultural products, and its open spaces are home to a diverse ecosystem.
New Jersey’s complex settler and colonial past began in the seventeenth century when Europeans settled along the Hudson, Raritan, and Passaic Rivers. The arrival of enslaved Africans led to the creation of a diverse population in New Jersey. This community of people brought rich cultural traditions – including religion, languages, and foodways – to the state that still exist today.
The earliest settlements were farms and small towns, but with the coming of the Industrial Revolution in the nineteenth century, New Jersey became a center for manufacturing and transportation. Railroads and ships carried goods to the city, and many residents worked at mills producing everything from textiles to steel. The state’s many canals and rivers were also critical to the state’s growth, connecting major cities like Philadelphia and New York.
After World War II, New Jersey’s economy grew even faster. The state’s businesses produced vital wartime materials, and more than a million New Jerseyans served in branches of the military. The state also forged ahead on issues of equality and justice. In 1947, New Jersey voters approved a constitution that strengthened the office of governor and streamlined its convoluted judicial system. The constitution ordered desegregation in the schools and National Guard – progressive steps well before the Civil Rights Movement. It also guaranteed that labor could organize and bargain collectively.
In the twenty-first century, New Jersey continued to prosper. It hosted the first Miss America pageant in 1921, opened the Holland Tunnel linking Jersey City to Manhattan in 1927, and exhibited the world’s first drive-in movie theater in 1933 in Camden.
The state is largely urban, with most of its residents living in the counties surrounding New York City and in central and south-central regions of the state. The southeastern section of the state, called South Jersey, has its own distinct natural, residential, and cultural characteristics.
Despite the state’s high population density, New Jersey has preserved hundreds of thousands of acres of open space. The state’s Pine Barrens are a biological treasure, and many of its other natural areas have been protected and nurtured for generations to come. In addition, the state has many recreational opportunities such as hiking and biking trails and scenic beaches. The New Jersey State Museum and Historical Society in Trenton is a great place to learn more about the state’s unique history. The Museum offers a wide variety of exhibits, programs, and events for all ages. Visit their website for more information.