Paterson is the county seat of Passaic County and developed around the Great Falls of the Passaic River. Founded as an early center of American manufacturing, the city became especially known for silk production, locomotive works, and other industries powered by its water system. Today, Paterson contains a dense collection of neighborhoods, commercial streets, civic institutions, parks, and former industrial buildings. The Great Falls National Historical Park remains its best-known landmark and a central part of the city’s identity. Interstate 80, Route 19, Route 20, and nearby Route 46 connect Paterson with the surrounding region, while bus and rail service link it to other northern New Jersey communities. The city’s cultural character reflects generations of immigration, with diverse business districts, restaurants, houses of worship, and community organizations spread across its wards.