THE FOUR
REGIONS
OF NEW
JERSEY
APPALACHIAN RIDGE AND VALLEY
• Lies in the northwestern part
of NJ
• Part of the Appalachian
Mountain chain
APPALACHIAN RIDGE AND VALLEY
•
The Appalachians begin in Alabama and
stretch north to Canada
•
Hikers explore the mountain on the
Appalachian trail, which is more than 2,100
miles long and passes through 14 states!
(including NJ)
•
The part that cuts through NJ is ABOUT 73
miles long.
APPALACHIAN RIDGE AND VALLEY
•
This region holds many other attractions in addition to the large
mountain range.
•
High Point, on the Kittatinny Mountains, is the highest point in the state
at 1,803 feet.
•
•
From here you can see Pennsylvania, New York, and New Jersey.
You will see farmlands, forests, hills, and valleys stretched out in each
direction.
APPALACHIAN RIDGE AND VALLEY
•
This region also has a point where the Delaware River passes
through the Kittatiny Mountains.
•
This area is know as the Delaware Water Gap
• Here, thousands of visitors a year visit this attraction to hike,
canoe, kayak, swim, and much more!
HIGHLANDS
This region lies east of the
Appalachians.
•
•
it is full of hills, forests, and
valleys.
It is called the Highlands because
it lies ABOUT 1,000 feet above sea
level.
is land that is level
with the surface of the ocean.
HIGHLANDS
In this region, there are large
lakes and rivers, such as:
•
•
•
Lake Hopatcong
Greenwood Lake
Musconetcong River
There are also many valleys
that pass through this
region such as the
Musconetcong River Valley.
•
Many farms, dairies,
towns, and cities are
found here.
PIEDMONT
•
Lies at the BASE of the Appalachian
Mountains. In fact, the word
piedmont means “at the foot of the
mountain.”
•
Begins at along the Hudson River,
near the cliffs of the Palisades are
located.
PIEDMONT
•
This region is 20 miles wide!
•
Most of the land is 100 to 200 feet above sea level.
•
However, areas like the Watchung and Sourland
Mountains reach up to 500 feet above sea level.
PIEDMONT
•
Major rivers flow through this region such as:
•
•
•
Raritan River
Passaic River
Hackensack River
POP QUIZ!
• Which region lies at the base of
the Appalachian Mountains?
ANSWER!
•PIEDMONT
ATLANTIC COASTAL PLAIN
•
This is the largest natural region of New
Jersey.
•
Millions of years ago, this land was
uncovered when the Atlantic Ocean fell!
•
As the water disappeared, a flat plain of
sandy soil surfaced in today’s South
Jersey.
ATLANTIC COASTAL PLAIN
• Because this region is so
large, geographers divided it
into
.
• The west (left) side is called
the Inner Coastal Plain.
• The east (right) side is called
the Outer Coastal Plain, which
touches the Atlantic Ocean.
INNER COASTAL PLAIN
• This region is nicknamed the
Greensand Belt. How do you
think it got its name??
• It begins below the Piedmont
region and runs along the
state’s southwestern border.
INNER COASTAL PLAIN
•
The soil in this region is a
fertile mixture of clay, sand,
and silt.
is the rich soul left
behind by water.
•
Because the soil here is so
awesome, it makes the region
great for farming.
•
Here you can find dairy
farms, orchards, vegetables
farms.
• Sometimes these
vegetable farms are
called truck farms
because they produce
so many vegetables
crops that trucks come
in and ship them away
to far away markets.
OUTER COASTAL PLAIN
•
The soil in this region is different from
the Inner Coastal Plain. Here, it is very
sandy.
•
However, there are many places for fruits
to grow, like cranberries and blueberries.
•
NJ is the third-largest producer of
cranberries in the WHOLE country!
OUTER COASTAL PLAIN
• Much of the region is covered by oak and
pine forests.
• A popular forest is called the Pinelands.
OUTER COASTAL PLAIN
• The eastern edge of this region runs along
the Atlantic Coast. Can you think of any
beaches along this coast?
OUTER COASTAL PLAIN
•
Sandy Hook, Long Beach
Island, Atlantic City, Cape May,
and many more are found
along this coast.
•
Other than beaches, you can
also find salt marshes,
lagoons, and sand bars.
ASSIGNMENT
•
Work together with your table to design a postcard
for the region you are assigned.
•
Your postcard MUST HAVE:
•
A picture of the region (illustrated to the best of your ability) on
the front.
• A message to a friend or family member explaining what the
region is like on the back.
EXAMPLE:
Front:
Back:
Dear Mom,
The Outer Coastal
Plain is awesome! It is full of
sandy beaches that touch
upon the Atlantic Ocean.
They even grow cranberries
and blueberries in bogs! Did
you know that New Jersey
is the third largest producer
of cranberries.
Sincerely,
Annie
Mom
130 Highland Ave
Somerset, NJ 08873