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 or of the European Union. However, the UK Government is constitutionally responsible for its defense and international representation.

Western Europe, island in the English Channel, northwest of France

about two-thirds the size of Washington, DC

temperate; mild winters and cool summers

gently rolling plain with low, rugged hills along north coast

largest and southernmost of Channel Islands; about 30% of population concentrated in Saint Helier

Jersey 51.1%, Britons 34.8%, Irish, French, and other white 6.6%, Portuguese/Madeiran 6.4%, other 1.1% (2001 census)

English 94.5% (official), Portuguese 4.6%, other 0.9% (2001 census)

Protestant (Anglican, Baptist, Congregational New Church, Methodist, Presbyterian), Roman Catholic

94,949 (July 2012 est.)

11.12 births/1,000 population (2012 est.)

7.56 deaths/1,000 population (July 2012 est.)

4.7 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2012 est.)

1.66 children born/woman (2012 est.)

British crown dependency

parliamentary democracy

none (British crown dependency); there are no first-order administrative divisions as defined by the US Government, but there are 12 parishes: Grouville, Saint Brelade, Saint Clement, Saint Helier, Saint John, Saint Lawrence, Saint Martin, Saint Mary, Saint Ouen, Saint Peter, Saint Saviour, and Trinity

none (British crown dependency)

Liberation Day, 9 May (1945)

unwritten; partly statutes, partly common law and practice

the laws of the UK, where applicable, apply; local statutes

16 years of age; universal

unicameral Assembly of the States of Jersey (58 seats; 53 are voting members, of which 12 are senators elected for six-year terms, 12 are constables or heads of parishes elected for three-year terms, 29 are deputies elected for three-year terms; the 5 non-voting members include the bailiff and the deputy bailiff, the Dean of Jersey, the Attorney General, and the Solicitor General appointed by the monarch)

Royal Court (judges elected by an electoral college and the bailiff); Court of Appeal of Jersey

two declared parties: Centre Party; Jersey Democratic Alliance

Institute of Directors, Jersey branch (provides business support); Jersey Hospitality Association [Robert JONES] (trade association); Jersey Rights Association [David ROTHERHAM] (human rights); La Societe Jersiaise (education and conservation group); Progress Jersey [Daren O'TOOLE, Gino RISOLI] (human rights); Royal Jersey Agriculture and Horticultural Society or RJA&HS (development and management of the Jersey breed of cattle); Save Jersey's Heritage (protects heritage through building preservation)

none (British crown dependency)

white with a diagonal red cross extending to the corners of the flag; in the upper quadrant, surmounted by a yellow crown, a red shield with three lions in yellow; according to tradition, the ships of Jersey - in an attempt to differentiate themselves from English ships flying the horizontal cross of St. George - rotated the cross to the "X" (saltire) configuration; because this arrangement still resembled the Irish cross of St. Patrick, the yellow Plantagenet crown and Jersey coat of arms were added

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, displacing more traditional industries. 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.

$5.1 billion (2005 est.)

potatoes, cauliflower, tomatoes; beef, dairy products

light industrial and electrical goods, dairy cattle, foodstuffs, textiles, flowers

machinery and transport equipment, manufactured goods, foodstuffs, mineral fuels, chemicals

Jersey pounds per US dollar

0.6324 (31 December 2011)

630.1 million kWh (2004 est.)

multiple UK terrestrial television broadcasts are received via a transmitter in Jersey; satellite packages available; BBC Radio Jersey and 1 other radio station operating (2009)

Gorey, Saint Aubin, Saint Helier

defense is the responsibility of the UK