Newark (population 277,140) is a city within New Jersey. It serves as the county seat of Essex County. Newark is the state's biggest urban center. Its geographic nearness to the Atlantic Ocean and to transportation networks make it a major hub for air, shipping and rail. Manhattan lies 13 km towards the east of Newark.
The city of Newark has been called the state's Gateway Region. On Newark Bay is Port Newark, a big seaport facility. It serves as the New York metropolitan areas major container shipping location. The city is served by the busy Newark Liberty International Airport, the very first municipal commercial airport in the nation. Some major companies are headquartered in the city. There are numerous universities, including New Jersey Institute of technology, Rutgers University and UMDNJ. Newark is rich in cultural and sports facilities.
Newark is fairly diverse culturally, with each of its neighborhoods having their own distinctive personalities. From lively urban districts to serene suburban enclaves, Newark has a variety of lifestyles.
It was during the year 1666 that the Newark region was first inhabited. Newark rapidly developed into manufacturing and transportation after being a crucial site during the Revolutionary War. Railroads and canals were constructed, boosting the growth of businesses like leather goods, beer and jewelry. Shipbuilding companies became successful during WWI. Newark had become an industrial colossus. A dynamic jazz music scene developed in Newark in the 1950s.
Today, Newark is a center of finance and insurance. The city is home to the headquarters of eight major banks, and 12 savings and loan associations. Deposits in Newark-based banks are more than $20 billion. Prudential Financial originated in Newark and grew to be among the globe's largest insurance businesses. It still has its headquarters in the city. Mutual Benefit Life also originated within Newark. Other businesses that have head offices within Newark comprise International Discount Telecommunications, Public Service Enterprise Group (also called PSEG), Horizon Blue Cross and Blue Shield of the state of New Jersey, New Jersey Transit, Panasonic and Net2Phone.
Ever since WWII, many factories have been built on the southern portion of the area called Industrial Meadowlands. A large Anheuser-Busch brewery is situated there. Now, the city's manufacturing sector is not what it was before, but the service business is rapidly growing.