Citizendia

Somerset County, New Jersey
Seal of Somerset County, New Jersey
Map
Map of New Jersey highlighting Somerset County
Location in the state of New Jersey
Map of the U.S. highlighting New Jersey
New Jersey's location in the U.S.
Statistics
Founded May 14, 1688[1]
Seat Somerville
Area
 - Total
 - Land
 - Water

305 sq mi (790 km²)
305 sq mi (790 km²)
0 sq mi (0 km²), 0. New Jersey ( is a state in the Mid-Atlantic and Northeastern regions of the United States. The United States of America —commonly referred to as the Events 1264 - Battle of Lewes: Henry III of England is captured in France making Simon de Montfort the A county seat is a term for an Administrative center for a County, primarily used in the United States. Somerville is a borough in Somerset County, New Jersey, United States. Area is a Quantity expressing the two- Dimensional size of a defined part of a Surface, typically a region bounded by a closed Curve. The square mile is an imperial and US unit of Area equal the area of a square of one statute mile. Square Kilometre ( US spelling square kilometer) symbol km2, is a decimal multiple of the SI unit of 12%
Population
 - (2000)
 - Density

297,490
976/sq mi (377/km²)
Website: www.co.somerset.nj.us

Somerset County is a county located in the U.S. state of New Jersey. In Biology a population is the collection of inter-breeding organisms of a particular Species; in Sociology Population density (in agriculture standing stock and Standing crop) is a measurement of Population per unit area or unit volume A county is a Land area of Regional Government within a larger State. A US state is any one of the fifty subnational entities of the United States of America that share Sovereignty with the federal government New Jersey ( is a state in the Mid-Atlantic and Northeastern regions of the United States. As of 2000, the population was 297,490. It is part of the New York Metropolitan Area. The New York metropolitan area, often referred to as the Tri-State Area, is the most populous Metropolitan area in the United States and is also one Its county seat is Somerville[2]. A county seat is a term for an Administrative center for a County, primarily used in the United States. Somerville is a borough in Somerset County, New Jersey, United States.

Somerset County is the seventh-wealthiest county in the United States by per capita income and the highest in New Jersey. There are 3142 counties in the United States. The source of the data is the U [3] Somerset County has the tenth-highest personal per capita income of any U. S. county and the second-highest in New Jersey. [4] The county also ranks sixth in the United States in terms of median income. [5]

Somerset County was created on May 14, 1688, from portions of Middlesex County. Events 1264 - Battle of Lewes: Henry III of England is captured in France making Simon de Montfort the Middlesex County is a County located in the US state of New Jersey. [1]

Contents

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 305 square miles (790 km²), of which, 305 square miles (789 km²) of it is land and 0 square miles (1 km²) of it (0. The United States Census Bureau (officially Bureau of the Census as defined in Title) is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census The square mile is an imperial and US unit of Area equal the area of a square of one statute mile. Square Kilometre ( US spelling square kilometer) symbol km2, is a decimal multiple of the SI unit of 12%) is water.

The high point is on Mine Mountain in Bernardsville, at approximately 860 feet (262 m) above sea level. The lowest point is just above sea level on the Raritan River at the Middlesex County line.

Adjacent counties

Demographics

Historical populations
Census Pop. Morris County is a County located in the US state of New Jersey, about 25 mi (40 km west of New York City. Union County is a County located in the US state of New Jersey. Middlesex County is a County located in the US state of New Jersey. Mercer County is a County located in the US state of New Jersey. Hunterdon County is a County located in the US state of New Jersey.  %±
1790 12,296
1800 12,815 4. 2%
1810 14,725 14. 9%
1820 16,506 12. 1%
1830 17,689 7. 2%
1840 17,455 * -1. 3%
1850 19,692 12. 8%
1860 22,057 12. 0%
1870 23,510 6. 6%
1880 27,162 15. 5%
1890 28,311 4. 2%
1900 32,948 16. 4%
1910 38,820 17. 8%
1920 47,991 23. 6%
1930 65,132 35. 7%
1940 74,390 14. 2%
1950 99,052 33. 2%
1960 143,913 45. 3%
1970 198,372 37. 8%
1980 203,129 2. 4%
1990 240,279 18. 3%
2000 297,490 23. 8%
Est. 2006 324,186 [6] 9. 0%
* lost territory
historical census data source: [7][8]

As of the census[9] of 2000, there were 297,490 people, 108,984 households, and 78,359 families residing in the county. A census is the procedure of acquiring information about every member of a given population The population density was 976 people per square mile (377/km²). Population density (in agriculture standing stock and Standing crop) is a measurement of Population per unit area or unit volume There were 112,023 housing units at an average density of 368 per square mile (142/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 79. 34% White, 7. 53% Black or African American, 0. 13% Native American, 8. 38% Asian, 0. 04% Pacific Islander, 2. 74% from other races, and 1. 83% from two or more races. 8. 68% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 17. 6% were of Italian, 11. The' Italian people' are a Southern European Ethnic group located primarily in Italy, Switzerland, France and by virtue of a wide-ranging 4% Irish, 9. The Irish people ( Irish: Muintir na hÉireann, na hÉireannaigh, na Gaeil) are a Western European Ethnic group who originate 3% German and 7. The German people (Deutsche are an Ethnic group, in the sense of sharing a common German culture, descent and speaking the German language as 5% Polish ancestry according to Census 2000. The Polish people, or Poles, (Polacy) are a Western Slavic Ethnic group of Central Europe, living predominantly in Poland.

There were 108,984 households out of which 36. 20% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 60. 60% were married couples living together, 8. NOTICE TO WOULD-BE ROMEOS ************** 20% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28. 10% were non-families. 22. 80% of all households were made up of individuals and 7. 00% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2. 69 and the average family size was 3. 19.

In the county the population was spread out with 25. 50% under the age of 18, 5. 90% from 18 to 24, 33. 80% from 25 to 44, 23. 50% from 45 to 64, and 11. 20% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females there were 95. 40 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92. 10 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $76,933 and the median income for a family was $90,605. Males had a median income of $60,602 versus $41,824 for females. The per capita income for the county was $37,970. Per capita income means how much each individual receives in monetary terms of the yearly income generated in the country The poverty rate is 1. 7%, the lowest of any county in the United States with 250,000 or more people. Out of the total population, 3. 80% of those under the age of 18 and 4. 90% of those 65 and older were living below the poverty line.

History

Somerset County is one of America's oldest counties. The area was first settled in 1681, in the vicinity of Bound Brook, and the county was established by charter on May 22, 1688. Bound Brook may mean Bound Brook New Jersey, a borough in Somerset County New Jersey Battle of Bound Brook Bound Events 334 BC - The Greek army of Alexander the Great defeats Darius III of Persia in the Battle of the Granicus. Most of the early residents were Dutch. General George Washington and his troops marched through the county on several occasions and slept in many of the homes located throughout the area. George Washington (February 22 1732 December 14 1799 served as the first President of the United States of America (1789&ndash1797 and led the Somerset County also played an important part during both World War I and World War II with weapons depots and the manufacturing of the army's woolen blankets. World War I (abbreviated WWI; also known as the First World War, the Great War, and the War to End All World War II, or the Second World War, (often abbreviated WWII) was a global military conflict which involved a majority of the world's nations, including

For much of its history, Somerset County was primarily an agricultural county. In the late 19th century, the Somerset Hills area of Somerset County became a popular country home for wealthy industrialists. The Somerset Hills is a region in the northern portion of Somerset County, New Jersey, United States, almost entirely north of Interstate 78. The area is still the home of wealthy pharmaceutical industrialists. [10]

In the 1960s, townships that were once exclusively agricultural were quickly transformed into suburban communities. Examples include Bridgewater Township[11] and the Watchung Hills communities of Watchung, Green Brook and Warren Township. Bridgewater Township is a township in Somerset County, New Jersey, United States. Watchung is a Borough in Somerset County, New Jersey, United States. Green Brook Township is a township in Somerset County, New Jersey, United States. Warren Township is a Township in Somerset County, New Jersey, United States. [12] [13] [14] This growth was aided by the development of the county's very strong pharmaceutical and technology presence. Indeed, Warren Township used to be considered "the greenest place in New Jersey," a sick joke in modern times. Warren Township is a Township in Somerset County, New Jersey, United States. [12] More recently, there has been an influx of New York City commuters who use New Jersey Transit's Raritan Valley Line and Gladstone Branch or use Interstate 78. The Raritan Valley Line is a commuter rail service operated by New Jersey Transit, running out of Newark Penn Station, with most trains terminating at the Raritan The Gladstone Branch is a branch of New Jersey Transit 's Morris and Essex Lines. Route description Pennsylvania See also Interstate 78 in Pennsylvania I-78 begins at a directional-T interchange with Interstate

Government

Somerset County is governed and managed by a Board of Chosen Freeholders. In New Jersey, the Boards of Chosen Freeholders are the county legislatures of the 21 counties of the state. The board consists of five members elected to three-year terms on a staggered basis, with one or two elected each year. Freeholders elect from among themselves a Director who conducts their meetings. Each Freeholder in Somerset County chairs a standing committee: Human Services, Finance and Administrative Services, Public Works I and Public Works II. The Freeholder Director and County Administrator are ex-officio members of each committee. [15]

The Freeholders employ a full-time County Administrator who manages the day-to-day operations of County government. The current County Administrator is Richard E. Williams. [16] The Clerk of the Board of Freeholders oversees the work of their offices. Department heads are appointed in accordance with statute and by resolution of the board. Somerset County currently has approximately 1,331 full-time employees and 278 part-timers in about 40 divisions.

Somerset County's Freeholders are:[17]

Other elected officials in Somerset County are Sheriff Frank J. Bernardsville (ˈbɚnɚdzˌvɪl is a Borough in Somerset County, New Jersey, United States. Events 406 – Vandals, Alans and Suebians cross the Rhine, beginning an invasion of Gallia. 2008 ( MMVIII) is the current year in accordance with the Gregorian calendar, a Leap year that started on Tuesday of the Common Bridgewater Township is a township in Somerset County, New Jersey, United States. Hillsborough Township is a Township in Somerset County, New Jersey, United States. Green Brook Township is a township in Somerset County, New Jersey, United States. for other New Jersey townships with the same name see Franklin Township, New Jersey Franklin Township is a Township in Provenzano, Sr. , County Clerk Brett A. Radi and Surrogate Frank Bruno.

All current elected officials in Somerset County are Republicans.

Taxation

based on IRS data for the 2004 tax year, Somerset County had the ninth highest average federal income tax liability per return in the country Average tax liability was $16,502, representing 16. The 8% of Adjusted Gross Income. Adjusted gross income (AGI is a United States tax term for an amount used in the calculation of an individual's Income tax liability [18]

Education

Somerset County is home to two colleges:

Somerset County Technology Institute Bridgewater, New Jersey. College ( Latin collegium) is a term most often used today to denote an Educational Institution. Raritan Valley Community College is an accredited, Coeducational two-year public, Community college located in North Branch (within North Branch is an unincorporated area and hamlet located mostly within Branchburg Township, in Somerset County, New Jersey. Somerset Christian College is a four-year Evangelical Christian College located in Zarephath, New Jersey, a religious Community Zarephath is an unincorporated area of Franklin Township in Somerset County, New Jersey, United States. for other New Jersey townships with the same name see Franklin Township, New Jersey Franklin Township is a Township in Somerset County Technology Institute is a public institution providing quality post-secondary (adult) education in the areas of General and Computer Technology, Allied Health, Office Administration, Cosmetology and Commercial Art & Multimedia.

Alma White College, which closed in 1978, was a private college located in Zarephath, located in the building now occupied by Somerset Christian College. Alma White College was founded in 1917 in Zarephath New Jersey, and closed in 1978

Somerset is also home to Somerset Hills Learning Institute, a state-of-the-art program dedicated to educating children on the autism spectrum by utilizing the principles of ABA.

Recreation

Somerset County boasts a number of beautiful county parks, including but not limited to: Lord Stirling Park (part of the Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge), Colonial Park (with a lovely rose garden), Washington Valley Park (with biking and hiking trails), the Sourland Mountain Preserve (hiking and mountain biking trails), and the newest park in development called Raritan River Greenway (which is being developed along the Raritan River in Bridgewater Township). The Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge is located in New Jersey primarily in Morris County, but extending into Somerset County as well The Colonial Park Arboretum and Gardens (144 acres are gardens and an Arboretum located in Colonial Park (651 acres 150 Mettlers Road in the East Millstone area The Sourland Mountain Preserve is located in Hillsborough and Montgomery townships Somerset County, New Jersey. The Raritan River Greenway is a proposed path in Somerset County, New Jersey that would link Branchburg Township to the East Coast Greenway with The Raritan River is a major river of central New Jersey in the United States. Bridgewater Township is a township in Somerset County, New Jersey, United States. For more information, visit the Somerset County Park Commission website.

The southeastern portion of Somerset County in Franklin Township also hosts the Delaware and Raritan Canal State Park, which provides hiking, biking and boating opportunities. The Delaware and Raritan Canal ( D&R Canal) is a Canal in central New Jersey, United States, built in the 1830s that served to connect the

Trump National Golf Club in Bedminster is an exclusive golf club owned by celebrity businessman Donald Trump. Donald John Trump (born June 14, 1946) is an American Business magnate, Socialite, Television personality, and

Municipalities

The following is a list of the municipalities in Somerset County. Other, unincorporated areas in the county are listed below their parent municipality (or municipalities, as the case may be). In Law, an unincorporated area is a region of land that is not a part of any Municipality. Most of these areas are census-designated places that have been created by the United States Census Bureau for enumeration purposes within a Township. A census-designated place ( CDP) is a type of place (a concentration of population identified by the United States Census Bureau for statistical purposes The United States Census Bureau (officially Bureau of the Census as defined in Title) is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census A township, in the context of New Jersey Local government, refers to one of five types and one of eleven forms of municipal government Other communities, historical areas, unincorporated areas, and enclaves that exist within a municipality are marked as non-CDP next to the name.

Index map of Somerset County municipalities (click to see index key)
Index map of Somerset County municipalities (click to see index key)

See also

References

  1. ^ a b "The Story of New Jersey's Civil Boundaries: 1606-1968", John P. Bedminster Township is a Township in Somerset County, New Jersey, United States. Bernards Township is a Township in Somerset County, New Jersey, United States. Basking Ridge is an unincorporated area located within Bernards Township in the Somerset Hills region of Somerset County, New Jersey Bernards Township is a Township in Somerset County, New Jersey, United States. Bernardsville (ˈbɚnɚdzˌvɪl is a Borough in Somerset County, New Jersey, United States. Bound Brook is a borough in Somerset County, New Jersey, United States. Branchburg Township is a Township in Somerset County, New Jersey, United States. Bridgewater Township is a township in Somerset County, New Jersey, United States. Far Hills is a borough in Somerset County, New Jersey, United States. for other New Jersey townships with the same name see Franklin Township, New Jersey Franklin Township is a Township in East Millstone is an unincorporated area within Franklin Township, in Somerset County, New Jersey, United States. Franklin Park is an unincorporated area within portions of North Brunswick Township and South Brunswick Township in Middlesex County and Griggstown is an unincorporated area and a historic district within Franklin Township, in Somerset County, New Jersey. not to be confused with Barclay-Kingston New Jersey Kingston is a Census-designated place (CDP and unincorporated area in Middlebush is an unincorporated area and community located within Franklin Township in Somerset County, New Jersey, United States Pleasant Plains is an unincorporated area community and hamlet located within Franklin Township, in Somerset County, New Jersey. Six Mile Run has been used to name several different but related features in Franklin Township Somerset County New Jersey Historic District on the National Register Somerset is a Census-designated place and unincorporated area located at the eastermost section within Franklin Township, in Somerset County Manville is a Borough in Somerset County, New Jersey, United States. Zarephath is an unincorporated area of Franklin Township in Somerset County, New Jersey, United States. Green Brook Township is a township in Somerset County, New Jersey, United States. Hillsborough Township is a Township in Somerset County, New Jersey, United States. Belle Mead is an unincorporated community located within Montgomery Township, Somerset County in the U Blackwells Mills is an unincorporated community located within Hillsborough Township, in Somerset County, New Jersey. Harlingen is an unincorporated area within the Belle Mead section of Montgomery Township, New Jersey. Flagtown is an unincorporated community located within Hillsborough Township, Somerset County in the U Neshanic is an Unincorporated community within Branchburg Township New Jersey, Somerset County in the U South Branch is an unincorporated community located within Hillsborough Township, located in Somerset County, New Jersey. Manville is a Borough in Somerset County, New Jersey, United States. see also Millstone Township New Jersey Millstone is a Borough in Somerset County, New Jersey, United Montgomery Township is a Township in Somerset County, New Jersey, United States. for the former North Plainfield Township see Green Brook Township New Jersey North Plainfield is a Borough in Somerset County Peapack-Gladstone is a borough in Somerset County in the US state of New Jersey. see also Raritan Township New Jersey Raritan is a Borough in Somerset County, New Jersey, United States Rocky Hill is a Borough in Somerset County, New Jersey, United States. Somerville is a borough in Somerset County, New Jersey, United States. South Bound Brook is a Borough in Somerset County, New Jersey, United States. Warren Township is a Township in Somerset County, New Jersey, United States. Watchung is a Borough in Somerset County, New Jersey, United States. The Old Dutch Parsonage is a historical house at 38 Washington Place in Somerville New Jersey. Rockingham was the home of John Berrien I (1712-1772 and George Washington's final headquarters of the Revolutionary War located in what is now Franklin Township The Meadows Foundation of Somerset County, New Jersey is a nonprofit corporation founded in 1978 Arthur James Caley or Routh Goshen ( May 5, 1837 - February 12, 1889) was most commonly known as Colonel Routh Goshen The Hall-Mills Murder involved the death of an Episcopal priest and a member of his choir on September 14, 1922, while they were having an affair The Six Mile Run Reservoir Site, part of the Delaware and Raritan Canal State Park is in Franklin Township, in Somerset County, New Jersey, Donald John Trump (born June 14, 1946) is an American Business magnate, Socialite, Television personality, and Duke Gardens in Somerset County, New Jersey were among the most significant glass house collections in America Snyder, Bureau of Geology and Topography; Trenton, New Jersey; 1969. p. 221.
  2. ^ Find a County. National Association of Counties. Retrieved on 2008-01-31. 2008 ( MMVIII) is the current year in accordance with the Gregorian calendar, a Leap year that started on Tuesday of the Common Events 1504 - France cedes Naples to Aragon. 1606 - Gunpowder Plot: Guy Fawkes
  3. ^ Census 2000 Demographic Profiles
  4. ^ 250 Highest Per Capita Personal Incomes of the 3111 Counties in the United States, 2006, Bureau of Economic Analysis. The Bureau of Economic Analysis ( BEA) is an agency in the United States Department of Commerce that provides important economic statistics including the Statistics for year 2006 Accessed May 2, 2008. Year 2006 ( MMVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. Events 1194 - King Richard I of England gives Portsmouth its first Royal Charter. 2008 ( MMVIII) is the current year in accordance with the Gregorian calendar, a Leap year that started on Tuesday of the Common
  5. ^ Woolsey, Matt. "Complete List: America's Richest Counties", Forbes, January 22, 2008. Forbes is an American Publishing and media company Its flagship publication Forbes magazine is published bi-weekly Events 565 - Eutychius is deposed as Patriarch of Constantinople by John Scholasticus. 2008 ( MMVIII) is the current year in accordance with the Gregorian calendar, a Leap year that started on Tuesday of the Common Accessed May 2, 2008
  6. ^ QuickFacts: Somerset County, New Jersey. Events 1194 - King Richard I of England gives Portsmouth its first Royal Charter. 2008 ( MMVIII) is the current year in accordance with the Gregorian calendar, a Leap year that started on Tuesday of the Common U.S. Census Bureau. The United States Census Bureau (officially Bureau of the Census as defined in Title) is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census Retrieved on 2007-11-02. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Events 1570 - A Tidal wave in the North Sea devastates the coast from Holland to Jutland, killing more than 1000
  7. ^ New Jersey Resident Population by County: 1880 - 1930.
  8. ^ Geostat Center: Historical Census Browser. University of Virginia Library. The University of Virginia (also called UVa, UVA, Mr Jefferson's University, or The University) is a highly selective public research Retrieved on 2007-03-02. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Events 986 - Louis V becomes King of the Franks. 1127 - Assassination of Charles the Good
  9. ^ American FactFinder. United States Census Bureau. The United States Census Bureau (officially Bureau of the Census as defined in Title) is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census Retrieved on 2008-01-31. 2008 ( MMVIII) is the current year in accordance with the Gregorian calendar, a Leap year that started on Tuesday of the Common Events 1504 - France cedes Naples to Aragon. 1606 - Gunpowder Plot: Guy Fawkes
  10. ^ Clemence, Sara. "Home of the Week: Peapack Palace", Forbes, March 14, 2005. Forbes is an American Publishing and media company Its flagship publication Forbes magazine is published bi-weekly Events 1489 - The Queen of Cyprus, Catherine Cornaro, sells her kingdom to Venice. Year 2005 ( MMV) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Accessed May 22, 2008. Events 334 BC - The Greek army of Alexander the Great defeats Darius III of Persia in the Battle of the Granicus. 2008 ( MMVIII) is the current year in accordance with the Gregorian calendar, a Leap year that started on Tuesday of the Common "It was once the country home of some of the 19th century's wealthiest families, and modern-day residents now include pharmaceuticals and chemicals barons. "
  11. ^ The History of Bridgewater Township, Bridgewater Township, New Jersey. Bridgewater Township is a township in Somerset County, New Jersey, United States. Accessed May 22, 2008. Events 334 BC - The Greek army of Alexander the Great defeats Darius III of Persia in the Battle of the Granicus. 2008 ( MMVIII) is the current year in accordance with the Gregorian calendar, a Leap year that started on Tuesday of the Common "In the early years, Bridgewater was known as a farming town. "
  12. ^ a b http://www.warrennj.org/ ""Once described as "the greenest place in New Jersey", Warren Township residents and elected officials are working to keep its rural character and charm while recognizing that there will be growth due to the town's beauty, favorable property taxes and strategic location. Less than 35 miles to Manhattan makes Warren Township a favorite suburb for commuters to New York City. "
  13. ^ http://greenbrooknj.com/main6.htm "As the traffic through the corridor expanded, Green Brook Township developed from a quiet farming community, which it had been for nearly two hundred years, into the suburban community that it is today. "
  14. ^ http://www.watchungnj.com/ Watchung was settled in the early eighteenth century and grew slowly until recent years. In 1960 the population was 3,312 and in 2000 it was 5,613. "
  15. ^ The Role of County Government: "What Is A Freeholder?", Somerset County, New Jersey. Accessed March 30, 2008. Events 240 BC - 1st recorded Perihelion passage of Halley's Comet. 2008 ( MMVIII) is the current year in accordance with the Gregorian calendar, a Leap year that started on Tuesday of the Common
  16. ^ Somerset County Officers of the Board, accessed January 25, 2007. Events 41 - After a night of negotiation Claudius is accepted as Roman Emperor by the Senate Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century.
  17. ^ The Role of County Government, Somerset County. Accessed May 2, 2008. Events 1194 - King Richard I of England gives Portsmouth its first Royal Charter. 2008 ( MMVIII) is the current year in accordance with the Gregorian calendar, a Leap year that started on Tuesday of the Common
  18. ^ Biggest Income Tax Burdens: Top 10 Places, CNN Money, accessed April 28, 2007. CNNMoneycom is the world's largest business website. The site is the online home of Fortune, Money, and FSB Fortune Small Events 1192 - Assassination of Conrad of Montferrat (Conrad I King of Jerusalem, in Tyre, two days after his title Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century.

External links

Coordinates: 40°34′N 74°37′W / 40.56, -74.61

A geographic coordinate system enables every location on the Earth to be specified in three coordinates using mainly a spherical coordinate system.
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