Information and history of the state of New Jersey

The area was inhabited by Native Americans for more than 2,800 years, with historical tribes such as the Lenape along the coast. In the early 17th century, the Dutch and the Swedes made the first European settlements. The English later seized control of the region, naming it the Province of New Jersey.

New Jersey was one of the Thirteen Colonies that revolted against British rule in the American Revolution. The New Jersey Constitution of 1776 was passed July 2, 1776, just two days before the Second Continental Congress declared American Independence from Great Britain.

Today, New Jersey, an area of wide industrial diversification, is known as the Crossroads of the East. Products from over 20,000 manufacturers can be delivered overnight to 100 million people.

Some New Jersey Symbols

1. State Bird	2. State Mammal	3. State Flower	4. State Shell	5. State Insect
6. State Tree	7. State Dinosaur	8. State Fruit	9. State Fish	10. State Flag

1. American Goldfinch - New Jersey designated the American Goldfinch as the official state bird in 1935.
2. Horse- New Jersey designated the horse as the official state mammal in 1977.
3. Violet - New Jersey designated the common violet as official state flower in 1913.
4. Knobbed Whelk - New Jersey designated the knobbed whelk, as the official state shell in 1995. Knobbed whelk shells can be found on all beaches and bays of New Jersey.
5. Honeybee - The honey bee was designated official state bug of New Jersey in 1974.
6. Dogwood - New Jersey designated the dogwood as the official state memorial tree of New Jersey in 1951.
7. Hadrosaur -New Jersey designated hadrosaur as the official state dinosaur in 1991.
8. Highbush Blueberry - New Jersey designated highbush blueberry as the official state fruit in 2003.
9. Brook Trout - Brooke trout was designated the official state fish of New Jersey in 1991.
10. New Jersey - The flag has a buff (light yellow-brown) background; this is the color of part of the uniform selected by General George Washington in 1779 for his New Jersey Continental Line. In the center is a blue shield with three plows in it. Above this is the head armor of a knight, a horse's head, and blue filigrees. Below are the words "LIBERTY AND PROSPERITY" and the date "1776." The goddesses symbolize liberty and prosperity.

Did you know?

• New Jersey has the highest population density in the U.S. An average 1,030 people per sq. mi., which is 13 times the national average.
• New Jersey is the only state where all its counties are classified as metropolitan areas.
• The light bulb, phonograph, motion picture projector were invented by Thomas Edison in his Menlo Park laboratory.
• Atlantic City is where the street names came from for the game monopoly.
• New Jersey has 108 toxic waste dumps. Which is the most in any one state in the nation.
• New Jersey has the largest petroleum containment area outside of the Middle East countries.
• New Jersey is a leading industrial state and is the largest chemical producing state in the nation.