Newark is the largest city in New Jersey, with a population of nearly 300,000 people, of largely diverse backgrounds from African American to Latino and Portuguese. Just five miles from Manhattan, it's a commuter city, with thousands of people trekking into the city for work each day via NJ Transit.
Once a city in decline, Newark has made major strides, to become home to large company headquarters and Fortune 500 companies. Large financial businesses are now dominant in the area, drawing young college graduates in to start their careers and work their way to the top of the food chain. Newark has one of the busiest and largest international airports in the country, as well as a major seaport and manufacturing core.
The neighborhoods of Newark are divided into five wards, (north, south, east, west and central) comprised of 21 neighborhoods, each reflective of the heritages of the people who inhabit them. Downtown Newark has been urbanized and given a re-education in the arts over the years, offering tourists a variety of theater and restaurant options that reflect the city's strong ethnic composition.
The Newark Museum boasts one of the best fine arts collections in the country. Branch Brook Park is a scenic spot in Newark, and host of the annual two-week long Cherry Blossom Festival, a signature event in the area.
Newark is located just south of West Orange, and north of Union. It is slightly west of the Garden State Parkway, and houses Newark Liberty International Airport, one of the most highly trafficked airports in the country. Newark is also accessible via the New Jersey Turnpike and Route 21.
