New Jersey may be a small state but we’ve got a lot going on. We have a rich history, can take credit for numerous firsts and are home to record holding museums, monuments and malls; and boy do we have malls. Not only does New Jersey have more malls per square mile than any other state, we’ll soon be home to the largest mall in America – but you probably knew that already. Following are 10 things about the state that you might not know.

1. We're Called The Garden State For Good Reason.
Flickr/Garden State Hiker
New Jersey has nearly 800,000 acres of farmland and produces much of the country's Blueberries, Cranberries and Bell Peppers.
2. It's Easy To Get Around.
Flickr/Nicholas A. Tonelli
New Jersey has some of the most dense highway and rail systems in the nation.
3. Salt Water Taffy Was Invented In New Jersey.
Flickr/Axisworks
Salt Water Taffy originated in Atlantic City in the 1880’s. Fralingers, one of the first shops to sell the confection, is still in business today.
4. America's First Boardwalk Was Built Here.
Flickr/SurFeRGiRL30
Constructed in 1870, Atlantic City's original boardwalk was nearly a mile long and cost $5000 to build.
5. New Jersey Is Home To America's Oldest Working Lighthouse
Flickr/Raymond Bucko, SJ
The Sandy Hook Lighthouse is over 250 years old. Still in use today, the resilient structure has somehow managed to survive through Revolutionary War attacks and Hurricane Sandy.
6. The First Dinosaur Skeleton In North America Was Found Here.
Flickr/ Yoshikazu TAKADA
Found in Haddonfield, NJ in 1858, the Hadrosaurus remains one of the most complete dinosaur skeletons ever found.
7. The World's First Film Studio Was Located In New Jersey.
Flickr/Shinya Suzuki
Built by Thomas Edison in 1893, the Black Maria studio was demolished a decade later. A replica still stands on the Edison National Historic Site in West Orange, NJ.
8. The United States Equestrian Team Is Headquarterd Here.
Flickr/Gary Graves
The team is headquartered in Gladstone, NJ and surely has no problem finding horses to ride. This state has more horses per square mile than any other.
9. The World's Largest Elephant Resides Here.
Flickr/Bill Rand
Lucy "lives" in Margate, NJ and stands six stories tall. Built in 1881 she is older than both the Statue of Liberty and the Eiffel Tower.
10. The First Modern Submarine Was Tested Here.
Flickr/ Guillén Pérez
The Holland VI was launched May 17, 1897 in Elizabeth, New Jersey. It was eventually purchased by the United States Navy becoming its first commissioned submarine.

The discovery of Hadrosaurus Foulkii significantly advanced paleontology, Edison’s film studio eventually led to the development of cinema as we know it and the success of John Holland’s submarine contributed to the strength of the US Navy.  To top it all off, New Jersey also has more diners per square mile than any other state, an undeniable asset. The ability to order cheese fries at 2 a.m. definitely deserves a mention.

 

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