Belleville is a compact township in eastern Essex County along the Passaic River, immediately north of Newark. Route 21 follows the river and provides direct connections to downtown Newark, Passaic, and Paterson, while nearby highways link the township to the broader metropolitan region. Belleville includes dense residential neighborhoods, apartment buildings, neighborhood shopping districts, schools, parks, healthcare facilities, and older industrial areas. Branch Brook Park extends into the township and is especially known for its spring cherry blossoms. Washington Avenue and Belleville Avenue serve as important local corridors. The community’s history includes early Dutch settlement, manufacturing, and waves of immigration that shaped its neighborhoods and businesses. Belleville borders Newark, Bloomfield, Nutley, North Arlington, and Kearny across the river, placing it close to major employment, transportation, and cultural destinations in both Essex and Hudson counties.