New Jersey is the fourth-smallest state by area but the 11th-most populous, with 8,882,190 residents as of 2019 and an area of 8,722.58 square miles, making it the most densely populated of all U.S. states.

During the Jurassic Period, New Jersey bordered North Africa. The pressure of the collision between North America and Africa gave rise to the Appalachian Mountains.

The Jersey Devil is often described as a bipedal kangaroo-like or wyvern-like creature with a horse- or goat-like head, leathery bat-like wings, horns, small arms with clawed hands, legs with cloven hooves, and a forked tail. It has been reported to move quickly and is often described as emitting a high-pitched "blood-curdling scream".

The first officially recorded baseball game in U.S. history took place on June 19, 1846, in Hoboken, New Jersey when the "New York Nine" defeated the New York Knickerbockers 23-1 in four innings.

On July 11, 1804, Aaron Burr and Alexander Hamilton met in Weehawken, New Jersey to end a decades-long feud. Both men fired, but only Hamilton was hit. He later died from his injuries. Today, history buffs can visit the duel site and even see the rock where a wounded Hamilton supposedly drew his last breath.

More Revolutionary War battles were fought in New Jersey than in any other colony, and patriot victories in the battles of Trenton, Princeton, and Springfield were major strategic turning points.

The French Arms Tavern (later known as the Thirteen Stars, Blazing Star Tavern, and City Tavern) in Trenton, New Jersey served as the capitol of the United States and meeting place of the Congress of the Confederation from November 1, 1784, to December 24, 1784. Congress took few actions of any significance during its stay at Trenton. A lot of time was spent in appealing to the states to send delegates, and there was some discussion on establishing a federal city.

Abraham Browning of Camden is credited with giving New Jersey its nickname. He said that "our Garden State is an immense barrel, filled with good things to eat and open at both ends, with Pennsylvanians grabbing from one end and New Yorkers from the other." The name stuck ever since.

Believe it or not, New Jersey does in fact have a volcano. The Beemerville volcano, reportedly active around 440 million years ago, has since collapsed, forming a volcanic crater on the mouth of the once lava-spewing hill. The volcano's long nap contributes to its appeal as popular residential real estate. Houses have popped up on the mount, right up to the summit.

A panoramic view of Island Beach, Barnegat Bay, and Long Beach Island awaits visitors at the top of "Old Barney", an historic lighthouse located on the northern tip of Long Beach Island. The structure was added to the National Register of Historic Places as Barnegat Lighthouse in 1971.