NJ Facts and Symbols
New Jersey Facts and State Symbols
Most locals know that New Jersey's nickname is "The Garden State", as you could tell by the iconic and always backed-up Garden State Parkway. Looking for some more brief fun facts and symbols related to the great state of NJ? Check out our extensive list of all of New Jersey's official state trademarks to get a little Jersey inspiration!
New Jersey History
The first people known to live on New Jersey's land were known as the Delaware Indians. They lived in small communities and relied on hunting, fishing, and clamming for food. Their primary crops were corn, sweet potatoes, squash, and beans. Giovanni de Verrazano was the first European to explore New Jersey, and he did so in 1524. Henry Hudson arrived in 1609 and named the land as "New Netherlands". The British took control of New Netherlands in 1664 and it was added to their colonies. Sir George Carteret was the governor of the Isle of Jersey in the English Channel (which is why we now have a town called Carteret!), and it was decided that the land should be called New Jersey.
New Jersey State Bird
Type: Eastern Goldfinch
New Jersey State Flower
Type: Violet
New Jersey State Tree
Type: Red Oak
New Jersey State Mammal
Type: Horse
New Jersey State Fish
Type: Brook Trout
New Jersey State Fruit
Type: Blueberry
New Jersey State Shell
Type: Knobbed Whelk
New Jersey State Dinosaur
Type: Hadrosaurus foulkii (Duck billed dinosaur)
New Jersey State Motto
Type: Liberty and Prosperity
New Jersey State Flag
New Jersey State Insect
Type: Honeybee
New Jersey State Colors
Buff and Blue
New Jersey State Nickname
Garden State
Did you know?
New Jersey was the very first state to ratify the Constitution.
Atlantic City, New Jersey has the longest boardwalk in the world.
New Jersey is the most densley populated state in the United States of America. On average, 1,030 people live per square mile.
The very first baseball game ever played was in Hoboken, NJ.
New Jersey has the most diners in the world. We are well known for loving our diner food... at all hours of the day!