New Jersey : Geographical Features

Despite its small size, New Jersey consists of various topographic elements. Some 550 to 600 million years ago, the topography of New Jersey was different to what it is now. About 225 million years ago, volcanic eruptions caused eastern mountains to sink and new peaks rose in the northwest. The shoreline settled into its present shape at least 10,000 years ago. The Appalachian Valley, the Kittatinny Ridge and Valley lies in the extreme northwest corner of the state. The state’s elevation is at High Point at 1,803 ft (550 m) above sea level. The area contains many natural lakes and steep ridges including the Ramapo Mountains, part of the Appalachian chain. East of the highlands is a flat area broken by the high ridges of the Watchungs and Sourlands and—most spectacularly—by the Palisades, a column of trap rock rising some 500 ft (150 m) above the Hudson River. Swamps and sandy beaches constitute the remaining two-thirds of the state. Its most significant feature is the Pine Barrens, 760 sq mi (1,968 sq km) of pitch pines and white oaks. Important rivers include the Delaware, forming the border with Pennsylvania, and the Passaic, Hackensack, and Raritan. Lake Hopatcong, about 8 mi (13 km) long is the largest natural lake.