6 Reasons to Ponder New Jersey

1. The first motion picture studio in the world was built in West Orange, New Jersey in 1893 (New Jersey resident Thomas Edison, who built the studio on his property, is credited as the father of motion pictures, though the elements which were combined to make moving pictures were invented and perfected by others as well).

2. 45% of New Jersey's land is covered by forest.

3. In spite of all those woods, New Jersey has the highest population density of the United States at 1,210 people per square mile. The growth of factories in the nineteenth century and suburbanization in the 20th century both contributed to the state's population growth. All of New Jersey's counties are considered "urban," and the state has the second highest median household income in the nation.

4. Over 1/3 of all United States residents live within overnight distance (by land) of New Jersey.

5. Author Judy Blume lived in Plainfield, NJ. So did photographer Irving Penn.

6. Bruce Springsteen, Lauryn Hill, Southside Johnny, Jon Bon Jovi, Dionne Warwick, Count Basie, and Queen Latifah are among the musicians who have called New Jersey home. However, the state has no state song.

If all you know is that Virginia is for lovers, you need to read these 6 additional facts

1. Virginia is nicknamed "Mother of Presidents" because eight United States Presidents were born in the state (more than in any other US state). The Virginia General Assembly is the oldest continuous law-making body in the Western hemisphere.

2. The state has an average of 35-45 days of thunderstorm activity with an average of 42.7 inches of precipitation a year, and forests cover 65% of the land.

3. By 1676, as much as 80% of the population were or had been indentured servants. In 1860, more than 30% of the population was enslaved. However, in 1989, Douglas Wilder became the first African American governor elected in the United States.

4. More Civil War battles were fought in Virginia than anywhere else.

5. The state's Hispanic population rose by 92% between 2000 and 2010.

6. Agriculture, though significantly less important over the past fifty years than it was formerly, is still the largest single industry in the state. Tomatoes are the most profitable crop. Virginia is also the largest producer of seafood on the East Coast.