New Jersey Geography & Climate

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New Jersey is a small, yet populous, northeastern state surrounded by water on three sides. Its four main land regions, the Atlantic Coastal Plain, Piedmont, New England Upland, and Appalachian Ridge and Valley Region, bring a variety of environments to the state. Due to its location on the Atlantic Ocean, the climate is fairly moderate.

New Jersey is the 5th smallest state, covering 8,722 square miles (22,589 sq km), or 0.25% of the total land in the United States. It is bordered by New York on the north, Delaware Bay on the south, the Atlantic Ocean on the south and east, and Delaware Bay and Pennsylvania on the west. Based on the 2000 census, New Jersey had a population of 8,414,350 ranking 9th among the 50 states. The population density of 1,134 persons per square mile (438 persons per sq km) is the highest in the country, well above the national average of 77 persons per square mile (30 persons per sq km). The four largest cities in New Jersey are Newark (273,546 residents), Jersey City (240,055 residents), Paterson (149,222 residents), and Elizabeth (120,568 residents).

The Atlantic Coastal Plain, the largest land region in the state, covers 60% of southern New Jersey. Inland, the gently rolling hills are home to pine forests and salt marshes while on the coast, the low elevation lends itself to shallow lagoons and meadows. This coastal area is home to over 50 resorts, including the well-known Atlantic City, Asbury Park, and Cape May. The coastal area also contains the lowest elevation in the state, which is sea level, located along the Atlantic Ocean. In southwestern New Jersey, along the Delaware River, fertile soil provides farmland known especially for blueberry and cranberry growing.

The Piedmont area is located northeast of the Atlantic Coastal Plain, and covers 20% of the state in a swath that is only 20 miles (32 km) wide. Also called the industrial lowlands, this is the main center of industrial activity in New Jersey, with cities like Elizabeth, Paterson, Jersey City, and Newark. Major rivers, such as the Hudson, Passaic, Remapo, and Raritan, support the industrial activities of this region.

The New England Upland, or the Highlands, is located west of the Piedmont and is characterized by flat-topped rocks and beautiful lakes.

The Appalachian Ridge and Valley Region, located in the northwestern corner of the state, includes the Kittatinny Mountains which run parallel to the northwest border of New Jersey. These mountains are home to the highest point in the state, appropriately named High Point, at 1,803 feet (550 m) above sea level. This area boasts the Delaware Water Gap where the Delaware River has cut a gorge in the Kittatinny Mountains. To the southeast lies the Appalachian Valley characterized by shale and limestone formations, farmland, and orchards.

Climate in New Jersey is characterized by warm to hot summers and cold winters. Average monthly temperatures range from 86 degrees F (30 C) to 24 degrees F (-4 C), with a highest recorded temperature of 110 degrees F (43 C) and a lowest recorded temperature of -34 degrees F (-37 C). Snowfall averages 13 in/yr (33 cm/yr) in the south and 50 in/yr (127 cm/yr) in the north. Average yearly precipitation is 45 in/yr (114 cm/yr).