Few locations in the nation can rival Southern New Jersey as a place to live, work, play, and raise a family. Encompassing everything from miles of sandy beaches to productive farms and bustling urban centers, the magnets that draw new business and new residents are many. At the same time, this corner of the state welcomes more than 30 million visitors every year, helping to maintain tourism as New Jersey's largest industry.

Just a brief glance at the major employers in Southern New Jersey clearly proves this point.  Corporations that specialize in entertainment like Harrahs, Caesar's, and Trump Hotels & Casino Resorts in Atlantic City contrast with grassroots manufacturers, leading healthcare systems, producers of revolutionary pharmaceuticals, agricultural activity, and important financial organizations in this diverse economy. Retail, finance, construction, and services continue to be growing and valuable contributors to the economic health of Southern New Jersey counties.

However, the undeniable attraction of Southern New Jersey reaches far beyond the critical considerations of quality of life or even unique natural resources. The prime location for commerce, transportation efficiencies, the area's business friendly attitude, and one of the most productive labor markets in the nation continue to drive prosperity and expansion. The following resources offer a wealth of information about this thriving region and the lucrative markets that surround it:

New Jersey Climate

New Jersey is located on the East Coast, with a geographic location influenced by wet, dry, hot, and cold airstreams that create highly variable weather. The state is only 166 miles long and approximately 65 miles wide, yet its regions experience marked differences in climate. Winter temperatures vary the most between the northern highlands and the central and south interior, while summer highs and lows are more constant. The state is divided into five climate regions:

Central Zone

Stretching from New York Harbor and the Lower Hudson River to the Delaware River near Trenton, dense development keeps urban areas warmer than the surrounding countryside. The northern edge of this zone is often the boundary between freezing and non-freezing precipitation.

Coastal Zone

Continental and oceanic influences create a variable climate with somewhat warmer fall and winter temperatures and often cooler spring temperatures than the interior. Sea breezes and coastal storms play a major role.

Northern Zone

Elevated highlands and valleys offer a continental climate with minimal ocean influence. Snowfall can average up to 50 inches.

Pine Barrens Zone

Scrub pine and oak forests dominate the interior south, where drier conditions create a wider shift between daily maximum and minimum temperatures.

Southwest Zone

Situated around sea level, this region in close proximity to Delaware Bay receives less precipitation than the Northern, Central, and Coastal zones and boasts New Jersey's longest growing season.

Southern New Jersey Climate Averages

Temperatures/Fahrenheit     Precipitation/Inches

Month         Min       Max        Rain                 Snow

January         26       40           3.26                  6.3

February        26       41           3.08                  6.7

March            33       50           3.54                  3.9

April              43       62           3.31                  0.2

May              53       73           3.35                  0.0

June              63       81           3.64                  0.0

July               68       85           4.11                  0.0

August          66       83           4.51                  0.0

September     60       60           3.39                  0.0

October         49       66           2.82                  0.1

November      39       54           3.10                  0.7

December      29       43           3.19                  3.9

New Jersey at a Glance

Population                                                                             8,638,396

Total Area                                                                8,722 square miles

Land Area                                                                7,419 square miles

Water Area                                                               1,303 square miles

Coastline                                                                               130 miles

Shoreline                                                                            1,792 miles

Highest Point                                                        1,803 feet in elevation

Lowest Point                                                     Atlantic coast, sea level

Bordering States                               Delaware, New York, Pennsylvania

Area Codes                                                201, 609, 732, 856, 908, 973

Topography Appalachian Valley in the northwest, piedmont plateau and low plains broken by high ridges combine with coastal plains that cover large sections of the southeast.

Capital City                                                                               Trenton

Largest Cities Newark, Jersey City, Paterson, Elizabeth, Edison Township, Woodbridge Township, Dover Township, Hamilton, Trenton, Camden

Agriculture Nursery stock, horses, vegetables, fruits and nuts, seafood, dairy products.

Industry Chemical products, food processing, electric equipment, printing and publishing, tourism

Statehood                                                                December 18, 1787

State Bird                                                                   Eastern Goldfinch

State Flower                                                           Violet (Viola sororia)

State Motto                                                          Liberty and Prosperity

State Nickname                                                          The Garden State

State Song                                                           "I'm from New Jersey"