City of Newark

Newark is the largest city in New Jersey, United States, and the county seat of Essex County. It is located approximately five miles (8 km) west of Manhattan and two miles (3 km) north of Staten Island. Its location near the Atlantic Ocean on Newark Bay has helped make its port facility, Port Newark, the major container shipping port on Newark Bay and for New York Harbor. The city's estimated population for 2006 is 281,402. The average temperature of Newark is forecasted at 54° F and ranges from 30.7° F during January to 76.6° F in July.


Newark was founded in 1666 by Connecticut Puritans led by Robert Treat from the New Haven Colony. They sought to establish a colony with strict church rules similar to the one they had established in Milford, Connecticut. Treat wanted to name the community "Milford." Another settler Abraham Pierson said the community reflecting the new task at hand should be named "New Ark" or "New Work." The name was shortened to Newark. Newark's rapid growth began in the early 1800s, much of it due to a Massachusetts transplant named Seth Boyden.


Newark offers a rich variety of quality entertainment, dining, culture, and sports. With the development of the Train-to-Plane Newark now boasts one of the most streamlined transportation systems in the world. This third oldest city in the nation, exudes history, and its architecture serves as a chronological yardstick. Many buildings of interest are clustered along Broad Street, including the Blume House, which was built in 1710 and serves as a rectory for the House of Prayer Episcopal Church. Trinity Cathedral was built in 1743 and used as a hospital during the Revolutionary War. First Presbyterian Church, dedicated in 1791, remains a noted example of Georgian colonial architecture. Newark offers a rich variety of quality entertainment and serves as the state's premier center for the performing and visual arts. There are several annual holidays, festivals, observances and parades in the city such as Black History Month in February. For fast food in Downtown, The Food Court located at McCarter Highway and Raymond Boulevard is a good bet. Other place worth mentioning include Branch Brook Park Roller Skating Center, John F. Kennedy Recreation Center, Branch Brook Park, New Jersey Performing Arts Center, Weequahic Park Golf Course and Military Park.