A state in the Northeastern and Middle Atlantic regions of the United States. It is bordered on the north and east by the state of New York, on the southeast and south by the Atlantic Ocean, on the west by Pennsylvania and on the southwest by Delaware. New Jersey lies entirely within the sprawling metropolitan areas of New York City and Philadelphia. It is the most densely populated state in the United States. It is also the second wealthiest. It is the 3rd US State; admitted into the Union on December 18, 1787. Trenton is the state capital, but other major cities are Newark, Jersey City, Paterson, Elizabeth, Camden, Clifton, Passaic, East Orange, and Union City. New Jersey's nickname is "The Garden State."