North Jersey
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
North Jersey is a name for the northern part of the U.S. State of New Jersey. Located between two major cities: New York City and Philadelphia, this relationship led Benjamin Franklin to describe the state as "a barrel tapped at both ends."[1]
Some define North Jersey as all points in New Jersey north of I-295 in the western part of the state and all points north of I-195 in the eastern part of the state. Following this definition, Central Jersey would not exist. Others, primarily those who live in the northern tier of counties, count only that area north of the mouth of the Raritan River.
New Jersey State Department of Tourism defines two distinct areas of North Jersey which address their quality and character. The Gateway, which is more urban industrial, and Skylands Region, which is exurban or rural.[2].
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[edit] North Jersey counties
The following counties are often considered part of North Jersey.[3]
- Bergen County
- Essex County
- Hudson County
- Morris County
- Passaic County
- Sussex County
- Union County
- Warren County
[edit] Demographics
The seven counties that are included in North New Jersey have a total population of 3,492,590 as of the 2000 U.S. Census. The demographics of all of the counties are 66.8% White, 15.4% African American, 0.2% Native American, 6.6% Asian, 0.1% Pacific Islander and 18.5% Hispanic or Latino.
[edit] History
Northern New Jersey was the site of some of the earliest European settlements in what would become the United States of America, first as part of the provincial colony of New Netherland, and later as part of the Province of New Jersey. During the American Revolutionary War, New Jersey was a strategic location between the capitol of the fledgling United States, New York City, and the Continental Congress in Philadelphia. Important materials necessary to the war effort were produced in Northern New Jersey.
The Continental Army made its home here during the war and history from this period can be found in nearly every village and town in northern New Jersey. Battle fields,camps, skirmish sites and headquarters can be found near Morristown and north in the Preakness Valley. In the northwestern part of the state, iron mines and foundries supplied raw material for guns and ammunition.
The Industrial Revolution in America started by the founding of the northern New Jersey town of Paterson. Today, the United States and the world enjoy the fruit born of seeds planted in northern New Jersey during the Industrial Revolution. Alexander Hamilton, Secretary for the Treasury and President of the Bank of New York during the end of the eighteenth century, selected the Great Falls area (also known as the Passaic Falls) for an ambitious experiment. He promoted the natural power of the Great Falls as an excellent location for textile mills and other manufacture.
Paterson, New Jersey attracted skilled craftsmen and engineers from Europe to run the mills and produced a large concentration of creative and able people. During the mid nineteenth century the engines and material to tame a continent were made here. Thomas Edison installed one of the first hydro electric powerplants in the world using the Great Falls as an energy source. This powerplant still provides electricity today.
In West Orange, Edison created the first technical research and development facility with his "invention factory". The electric light, improved motion pictures and sound recording were among the hundreds of inventions produced here.[4]
[edit] See also
- Bergen, New Netherland
- New Jersey The Movie
- New York metropolitan area
- Port Authority of New York and New Jersey
- Tri-State Region
- Cuisine of New Jersey
[edit] References and footnotes
- ^ Review of George Washington's New Jersey from Union College Magazine
- ^ "Visitor Information - Regional Tourism". http://www.state.nj.us/travel/regional.html.
- ^ "NORTH JERSEY SCHOOLS GET BREAK IN PENALTY BILL", The Record (Bergen County), June 20, 1995. "North Jersey includes schools in Bergen, Passaic, Morris, Sussex, Guido, Hudson, Essex, and Warren counties."
- ^ History of Northern New Jersey from Rt23.com'
[edit] External links
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