New Jersey maintains an eclectic mix of lush countryside, scenic mountaintops, gorgeous beaches and numerous historic parks, sites and villages, as well as a diverse selection of marvelous homes. Reflecting the state as a whole, the famed and lively Boardwalk of Atlantic City is rich in culture, diversity and aesthetic allure. The state features a variety of regions, each with its own character, features and style of homes. The Skylands Region, New Jersey's Great Northwest, is lush with natural, serene beauty. Cities such as Lambertville and Stanhope attest to the area's rich history, as do the Appalachian Trail and 18th-century Village of Waterloo. The Delaware River Region bears the history of New Jersey's colonial days as one of the 13 original colonies. The region is home to Trenton -- the state capital -- and was the grounds for General George Washington's famous crossing of the Delaware River. Considered America's Gateway to Freedom the Gateway Region houses Lady Liberty in the harbor. New Jersey is bordered on the north and northeast by New York; on the east by the Atlantic Ocean; on the south and southwest by Delaware; and on the west by Pennsylvania. The western border of New Jersey is largely defined by the Delaware River. Because of its dense population and because most communities of northern New Jersey do not have the widespread reservoir system of neighboring Greater New York City, the slightest dry season leads to drought warnings; but because there are many streams and rivers close to these communities, the slightest above average rainfall causes frequent flooding as many parts of Northern New Jersey are part of a flood plain. It is also at the center of the Boston to Washington megalopolis. New Jersey is broadly divided into three geographic regions: North Jersey, Central Jersey, and South Jersey. North Jersey lies within New York City's general sphere of influence (i.e. largely within the New York metropolitan area), and some residents commute to the city to work. Central Jersey is a largely suburban area. South Jersey is within Philadelphia, Pennsylvania's general sphere of influence, and most of it is included in the Delaware Valley. Such geographic definitions are loosely defined, however, and there is often dispute over where one region begins and another ends. Some people do not consider Central Jersey to exist at all, but most believe it is a separate geographic and cultural area from the North and South. Additionally, the New Jersey Commerce, Economic Growth, & Tourism Commission divides the state into six distinct regions to facilitate the state's tourism industry. The regions are: Gateway Region, encompassing Hudson County, Essex County, Union County, Middlesex County, Bergen County, and Passaic County. Skylands Region, encompassing Sussex County, Morris County, Warren County, Hunterdon County, and Somerset County. Shore Region, encompassing Monmouth County and Ocean County. Delaware River Region, encompassing Mercer County, Burlington County, Camden County, Gloucester County, and Salem County. Greater Atlantic City Region, encompassing Atlantic County. Southern Shore Region, encompassing Cumberland County and Cape May County. High Point, in Montague Township, Sussex County, is the highest elevation, at 1,803 feet. Major rivers include the Manasquan, Maurice, Mullica, Passaic, Hackensack, Rahway, Rancocas, Raritan, Musconetcong, Toms, and Delaware rivers. The Palisades are a line of steep cliffs on the lower west side of the Hudson River. Sandy Hook, along the eastern coast, is a popular recreational beach. It is a barrier spit and an extension of the Barnegat Peninsula along the state's Atlantic Ocean coast.