Living in New Jersey

Called the Garden State, New Jersey, the most densely populated state in America, is home to more than 8 million people.

Settled in 1660, New Jersey became a united crown colony in 1702, administered by the royal governor of New York. In 1738, it separated from New York.

New Jersey became the third state to enter the Union, on Dec. 18, 1787. Its nicknames include Clam State, Camden and Amboy State, Jersey Blue State, and Pathway of the Revolution.

Today, New Jersey is one of the foremost research centers in the world, with chemical, biochemical and pharmaceuticals as major industries, followed by tourism and its casino industry. Many large oil refineries are located in northern New Jersey. Agriculture and horses are also strong industries in the Garden State.

The state has numerous resort areas on 127 miles of coastline. With 8,215 square miles (19,210 sq km) of land, New Jersey ranks 47th in size out of the 50 states in the U.S. The geographic center is in Mercer County, five miles south of the state capital of Trenton.