General Overview
Jersey and the other Channel Islands represent the last remnants of the medieval Dukedom of Normandy that held sway in both France and England. These islands were the only British soil occupied by German troops in World War II. Jersey is a British crown dependency but is not part of the UK. However, the UK Government is constitutionally responsible for its defense and international representation.
Demographics
The Island plays host to large amount of non-Jersey born people; roughly 50% of the population are not originally from Jersey. 30% of the population is concentrated in Saint Helier, site of the only town. Of the roughly 88,000 people in Jersey, around two fifths are of Jersey/Norman descent and two fifths of British descent. The largest minority groups in the island are British (N. Ireland, Scotland, England and Wales), Portuguese (especially Madeiran), Irish and Polish.
• Country name: Bailiwick of Jersey
• Capital Name: Saint Helier
• Population: 91,533 (July 2008 est.)
• Nationality: Channel Islander(s)
• Languages: English 94.5% (official), Portuguese 4.6%, other 0.9% (2001 census)
• Ethnic Groups: Jersey 51.1%, Britons 34.8%, Irish, French, and other white 6.6%, Portuguese/Madeiran 6.4%, other 1.1% (2001 census)
Economy
Jersey's economy is based on international financial services, agriculture, and tourism. In 2005 the finance sector accounted for about 50% of the island's output. Potatoes, cauliflower, tomatoes, and especially flowers are important export crops, shipped mostly to the UK.
The Jersey breed of dairy cattle is known worldwide and represents an important export income earner. Milk products go to the UK and other EU countries. Tourism accounts for one-quarter of GDP. In recent years, the government has encouraged light industry to locate in Jersey, with the result that an electronics industry has developed alongside the traditional manufacturing of knitwear.
All raw material and energy requirements are imported, as well as a large share of Jersey's food needs. Light taxes and death duties make the island a popular tax haven. Living standards come close to those of the UK.
• GDP (purchasing power parity): $5.1 billion (2005 est.)
• GDP - per capita (PPP): $57,000 (2005 est.)
• Inflation rate (consumer prices): 3.7% (December 2006)
Government
Jersey's legislature is the States of Jersey. It includes fifty-three elected members: twelve senators (elected for six-year terms), twelve constables (heads of parishes elected for three-year terms), twenty-nine deputies (elected for three-year terms); the Bailiff and the Deputy Bailiff (appointed to preside over the assembly and having a casting vote in favour of the status quo when presiding); and three non-voting members (the Dean of Jersey, the Attorney General, and the Solicitor General) appointed by the Crown. Government departments are run by a Cabinet government under a Chief Minister. The civil head of the Island is the Bailiff.
• Administrative divisions: None (British crown dependency); there are no first-order administrative divisions as defined by the US Government, but there are 12 parishes including Grouville, Saint Brelade, Saint Clement, Saint Helier, Saint John, Saint Lawrence, Saint Martin, Saint Mary, Saint Quen, Saint Peter, Saint Saviour, and Trinity
• Legal system: Laws of the UK, where applicable, apply and local statutes; justice is administered by the Royal Court
• Constitution: Unwritten; partly statutes, partly common law and practice
• Independence: None (British crown dependency)
References
States of Jersey - Official Website
Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) - The World Factbook
Nation Master - World Data Center
Wikipedia - The Free Encyclopedia
Lonely Planet - Travel Guidebook
