Southern Jersey. life in new jersey

New Jersey is a state located in the northeastern part of the United States. The population is 8,821,155 people. Area 22,608 km². The state capital is Trenton. Major cities: Newark, Jersey City, Chris Christie. New Jersey has a common border with New York in the northeast, the western border with the state of Pennsylvania, the southwestern border with the state of Delaware. In 1787 it became the 3rd state of the United States.

State Attractions

In the north of New Jersey, one of the most beautiful landscape parks, Interstate, is located. You can visit Atlantic City, a popular resort and gambling center among wealthy Americans, visit the Adventure Aquarium entertainment complex, the children's amusement park in Hope, the Newark Museum, and the State Planetarium. In Jackson, you can visit the world's largest safari park "6 Flags Great Journey and Wild Safari". Interesting architecture of the city of Princeton, which is home to the famous Princeton University. Here you can also visit the Einstein House Museum. Connoisseurs of cultural heritage will be interested in visiting the museum in Newark, where original art is located in 80 galleries. The Mountain Creek ski run and the old Reno Weinery Vineyard are worth a visit.

Geography and climate

In the east of the state of New Jersey there is an outlet to the Atlantic Ocean, and in the southwest - to the Delaware Bay. Most of the state's surface is flat, only in the northwest is mountainous terrain. The highest point at an altitude of 550 meters above sea level is located in the north in Sussex County. In the southwest there is a vast plateau covered with coniferous forest. Major rivers: Delaware, Hudson. On the east coast is the barrier island of Long Beach. The climate is temperate continental. Summers are hot with high levels of humidity, with an average temperature of 32°C. Winters are cold, with temperatures generally cooler in the northeast of the state than in other regions. The average rainfall is 1300 mm/year.

Economy

In 2003, New Jersey's GDP was $397 billion. The mining and manufacturing industries are developed. In the field of agriculture, they grow blueberries (2nd place), strawberries, cranberries (3rd place), sweet peppers, peaches, and lettuce. Cattle and poultry are bred here, and the food industry is developed. Large manufacturers of medicines operate on the territory of the state, the headquarters of world-famous telecommunications companies (AT&T Communications, Avaya, Verizon) are located. Several petrochemical plants process oil into gasoline, diesel, and plastics. It also produces electrical equipment, developed publishing and printing. The transportation system includes many airports, roads, bridges, tunnels, ports, railway lines, providing daily transportation of goods and people. Tourism has a big impact on the state's economy.

Population and religion

The population density is 390.18 people per km². The racial makeup of New Jersey was 68.6% White, 13.7% African American, 8.3% Asian, 0.3% Native American, 6.4% from other races, 2 or more races. 7%. Most of the residents live near New York, Philadelphia and on the coast of the Atlantic Ocean. About 17.9% of the population is of Italian descent, 15.9% Irish, 12.6% German, 6.9% Polish and 13.6% African American. About 51.5% of the population are women. According to 2000 data, more than 12.31% of the inhabitants of the house speak Spanish, 1.12% Italian, 1.03% Portuguese, 1.02% Tagalog. By religion, about 80% of the population are Christians (40% are Protestants, 37% are Catholics, 1% are Mormons, 1% are Jehovah's Witnesses), 2% are Jews, 1% are Muslims, 15% are atheists. More than 6% of the population are illegal immigrants.

Jersey City is the second largest city in New Jersey with a population of 257,000 (2013 data). The city borders New York City and is often regarded as one of the suburbs of Greater New York.

Jersey City is located on a peninsula separated from Manhattan by the Hudson River. Jersey City is bordered by the city of Hoboken to the north, the Hudson River and Manhattan to the east, and Bayonne to the south and the Hackensack River to the west. In the southern part of the city, on the border with Bayonne, there is a deep water port, which is part of the Port of New York.

Jersey City was once known as an industrial and transportation hub. It was a city dominated by browns and grays. Smoke billowed from factory chimneys. The railroad owned a third of the land and the trains rumbled day and night. In the 1960s, the railroad went bankrupt, the piers rotted, and the factories closed. Hard times began, the population of Jersey City began to decline.

Positive changes began in the 1990s, when the transformation of the coastline began. High-rise buildings for various purposes (hotels, office buildings, residential apartments) began to be erected on the site of factories and depots. Today, office space is being filled with tenants, attracted by lower prices and proximity to Manhattan. In the financial business district of Jersey City, called Exchange Place, such companies as Citigroup, Merrill Lynch, UBS, Goldman Sachs, Chase Bank have settled.

The construction of high-rise buildings right by the Hudson does not stop today. The tallest skyscraper in Jersey City is the Goldman Sachs Tower at 238 meters.

Despite its relatively small size, the city consists of different neighborhoods that differ from each other. Most of the high-rise buildings are concentrated along the Hudson River. Other areas of the city are blocks of 2-5 storey buildings.

40% of Jersey City households do not own a car, this is partly due to well-developed public transportation, which is used by 46% of residents (one of the highest rates in the country). You can get to Manhattan in a few minutes. Ferry service established. Automobile communication with Manhattan is carried out through the Holland Tunnel, laid under the Hudson. There is also a high-speed underground railway PATH (Port Authority Trans-Hudson), connecting Newark - Jersey City - Manhattan. The tunnels through which the trains go are laid under the Hudson. Jersey City itself has buses and light rail services.

The racial composition of the population of Jersey City in 2013:

white - 21.5%
Asians - 23.5%
African Americans - 23.9%
mixed race - 2.4%
Indians - 0.2%
Hispanics of any race make up 27.6% of the population.

Like New York City, Jersey City's population is a patchwork mix of nationalities and cultures. Part of the population has European roots (Italians, Poles, Irish). Others came from Arab countries, Africa, Asia, India. In addition, there are many immigrants from Cuba, the Philippines, Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic. There is a significant Jewish community.

37% of Jersey City residents were born outside the United States. This is 3 times higher than the US average (12% of Americans are born abroad), but comparable to the statistics for New York (35%).

Jersey City Socio-Economic Indicators (2013):

average income per person (for 2009) - $33,356
population living below the poverty line (for 2009) - 16.6%
unemployment in the region (as of March 2012) - 10.2%
cost of living index (as of March 2012) - 123.5 (23% higher than the US average).

Having experienced a real renaissance, Jersey City has a good reputation. It is closer to Manhattan than some parts of Manhattan itself. At the same time, Jersey City is a much quieter and more peaceful place, there are much fewer people / tourists here.

Attractions and interesting places in Jersey City

Most people visiting Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty go there from Manhattan's Battery Park. However, you can also get there on ferries departing from the piers of Jersey City. Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty are located directly opposite the park area called Liberty State Park. In the northern part of the park is the Central Railroad of New Jersey Terminal, from where ferries leave.

Deep in Liberty State Park is the state-of-the-art Liberty Science Center.

Downtown - the business district of Jersey City is interesting in itself. It also includes the waterfront part, which offers an excellent view of Manhattan. The basis of the downtown is the already mentioned neighborhood of Exchange Place and Newport.

The northeastern part of the United States is occupied by the state of New Jersey with the main city of Trenton. It is located on the island of the same name, the coast of which is washed by the waters of the English Channel.

In the east - access to the shores of the Atlantic, to the west, the state is washed by the waters of Delaware Bay. The main part of the territory is located on endless plains, occasionally replaced by low mountain ranges. The southwestern part of the state is overgrown with dense coniferous forests. To the east lies the small island of Long Beach.

The climate is mainly continental. In summer it is quite hot, precipitation is frequent. Winters are dry and cold.

New Jersey is an extraordinary colorful state of the USA. On its territory there are many large cities, cozy small resorts, natural and protected parks, historical and cultural monuments.

State history

Several thousand years ago, the lands of the state were inhabited by Indian tribes. At the beginning of the 17th century, the Dutch arrived here.

A few years later, a colony called New Netherland was formed on the territory of the modern state.

But the Dutch did not have long to own this territory, already at the end of the 17th century it became the property of the English Kingdom.

In 1776, New Jersey launched an active struggle against the colonialists. The inhabitants demanded freedom and independence from England. During the Civil War, the territory of the state changed hands more than once.

It wasn't until 1787 that New Jersey received statehood and became part of the United States.

Nowadays, New Jersey has practically become part of one big New York "conglomerate". Despite the modern, fairly developed infrastructure, in many regions of the state, a massive outflow of the population continues.

State Attractions

One of New Jersey's most striking attractions is its wonderful Skylands Botanical Garden. In the very center of the garden, there is an ancient manor of incredible beauty. From it to the garden you can go along the picturesque apple alley. Nearby there is a "lilac" garden and a garden of fragrant lilies. Nearby are colorful greenhouses of fragrant magnolias and peonies. Such magnificence is breathtaking, and a wonderful floral aroma causes a slight pleasant dizziness.

Fans of ecotourism simply need to visit the Delaware Water Gap Nature Reserve. He took refuge on the coast of the Delaware River. On its territory there are several unique historical monuments: the Petra Valley Art Museum, the Minisink archaeological site, and the old Indian village of Millbrook.

Tourists are given the opportunity to walk or horseback ride through the park, go canoeing or kayaking, go fishing or arrange a cozy campsite.

The Benjamin Franklin Bridge is very popular. This is a favorite place for American filmmakers. A long steel structure looms powerfully over the Delaware River.

Kids will love the SixFlagsGreatAdventure entertainment center in Jackson. On its territory there is a huge number of various attractions, a large safari park, several shopping centers, cafes and bars.

Recreation and entertainment

Gambling tourists are best to go to Atlantic City. Here they are waiting for numerous gambling establishments, as well as night bars and clubs.

For lovers of a relaxing beach holiday, the coast of Ocean City is the best choice. This is a wild secluded beach where you can relax from the hustle and bustle of the city.

More noisy company is better to go to the coast of Atlantic City or Jersey. Here you can go surfing, yachting, diving, kiting or sailing. Wonderfully equipped beaches will give you a great vacation.

Nearby there are several health centers that will gladly accept fans of "medical" tourism.

Fans of winter sports are best to go to the resorts of Vernon or Mavi. Here you can go skiing or snowboarding.

Another great place to stay is the luxury resort of Asbury. Developed infrastructure, comfortable hotels, a lot of entertainment, picturesque natural landscapes.

It was in New Jersey that the famous scientist and inventor Thomas Edison spent his last years of his life.

The state has several very "unusual" laws:

You can't sell handcuffs to children.
Before overtaking, the driver must give the appropriate signal.
You can't catch other people's pigeons.
It is forbidden to make any sounds when eating soup in a cafe, canteen or restaurant.