Central New Jersey
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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.
New Jersey at a Glance
Population 8,724,560
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"