About Bergen County
Located in the corner of New Jersey, Bergen County is part of the Greater New York City Metropolitan Area and is right across the Hudson River from Manhattan. It is connected to Manhattan by the George Washington Bridge in Fort Lee.
Fun Fact: For the first two decades of the 20th century, the borough of Fort Lee was a major motion picture capital.
Bergen County is the most populous county in New Jersey because of its proximity to New York City and Newark. The county is bordered by New York to the north and east, the Hudson River constituting the eastern boundary. The principal communities are Teaneck, Hackensack (county seat), Fort Lee, Fair Lawn, Garfield, Paramus, and Englewood, however it is divided into 70 municipalities.
The primary county waterways include the Hackensack, Passaic, and Ramapo rivers. Oak and hickory trees are found in throughout the wooded areas. The county has a vast park system with expansive greenways, amounting to nearly 9,000 acres. The main recreation areas are Ramapo Mountain State Forest and Ringwood State Park.
Ramapo Mountain State Forest
Amazing New York City Skyline views await outdoor enthusiasts. Ramapo Mountain State Forest has miles of trails for hikers and mountain bikers to explore. From old roads and historic trails to more challenging rock crawls, the area has something for people of all skill levels. The forest borders the Ramapo Mountain Reservation which is part of the Bergen County Park System.
Ringwood State Park
Ponds, streams, specialty gardens, and an intricate trail with historic manor sightings provide visitors with several activities to explore. Ringwood State Park hosts various recreational activities throughout the year and is home to a number of beautiful country manors and botanical gardens that are open to the public year-round.
Meadowlands Sports Complex
Located in East Rutherford, and the home of professional sports teams from both New Jersey and New York City. The area also hosts the American Dream Mall, one of the largest retail and entertainment centers in the State. The facility is owned and operated by the New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority.
County Facts
Bergen County was originally inhabited by Native American people, particularly the Lenape groups of the Tappan, Hackensack and Rumachenanck. The area comprising today’s Bergen and Hudson counties was part of New Netherland, the 17th century North American colonial province of the Dutch Republic.
It had been claimed after Henry Hudson (sailing for the Dutch East India Company) explored Newark Bay and anchored his ship at Weehawken Cove in 1609. Early settlement attempts by the Dutch were not so successful. However eventually the Dutch settlers colonized the western shores of the Hudson in the 1660 with the formation of Bergen, which would become the first permanent European settlement in New Jersey.
These are just a few of the things do in Bergen County. Let me (Jeffrey) help you with all your questions about Bergen County Real Estate. Feel free to contact me directly via email or phone (call/text).
