1. Unit 1 Lesson 2 New Jersey’s Natural Regions
How have the regions of New Jersey been formed over time?
What are the physical characteristics of New Jersey’s natural regions?

2. Vocabulary
Glacier
Erosion
Till
Sea level
Silt
Vegetation

3. Glaciers Shape New Jersey
Scraped their way across the land causing erosion
Glaciers formed:
Deep valleys
Flattened ridges
Lakes

4. New Jersey’s Natural Regions
Appalachian Ridge and Valley
Highlands
Piedmont
Atlantic Coastal Plain

5. Appalachian Ridge and Valley
Lies in the northwestern corner of New Jersey
Part of the Appalachian Mountain chain
Has many attractions
High Point in the Kittatinny Mountains is the highest point
Delaware Water Gap: Delaware River cuts a deep gap, or pass, through the Kittatinny Mountains

6. Highlands Lies east of the Appalachians
Includes rolling hills, hardwood forests, and fertile valleys
1,000 feet above sea level
Lake Hopatcong and Lake Musconetcong

7. Piedmont Region Lies at the base of the Appalachians
“at the foot of the mountain”
Tall cliffs, called Palisades, hug the western shore of the Hudson River
feet above sea level
Many of New Jersey’s major rivers flow through here

8. Atlantic Coastal Plain
Largest region
Uncovered when the level of the Atlantic Ocean fell millions of years ago
Two parts:
Inner Coastal Plain
Greensand Belt
Southwestern border of NJ
Soil: fertile mixture of clay, sand, and silt
Orchards, dairies, vegetable farms
Outer Coastal Plain
Soil: sandy
Blueberries and cranberries
Pinelands: oak and pine forests
Salt marshes, lagoons, and sand bars line the area