world
factbook
Jersey
Jersey and the other Channel Islands represent the last remnants of the medieval Duchy 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. The Bailiwick of Jersey is a British Crown dependency, which means that it is not part of the UK but is rather a self-governing possession of the British Crown. However, the UK Government is constitutionally responsible for its defense and international representation.

geography

location

Europe
49.15° N, 2. 10° W
Western Europe, island in the English Channel, northwest of France

area

116 sq km
land
116 sq km
water
0 sq km

land boundaries

0 km

coastline

70 km

climate

temperate; mild winters and cool summers

terrain

gently rolling plain with low, rugged hills along north coast

elevation

lowest point
English Channel
0
highest point
Les Platons
136

natural resources

  • arable land

land use

arable land
66 %
permanent crops
0 %
permanent pasture
0 %
forest
0 %
other
34 %

population distribution

fairly even distribution; no notable trends

people

population

  • 101,073
  • 196
    global rank

nationality

  • Channel Islander(s)
    noun
  • Channel Islander
    adjective

ethnic groups

Jersey
46.4 %
British
32.7 %
Portuguese/Madeiran
8.2 %
Polish
3.3 %
Irish
%
French
%
and other white
7.1 %
other
2.4 %

languages

  • English
    official
  • Portuguese
  • other .9% and Jerriais est.
    includes French (official; ;

religions

  • Protestant
  • Roman Catholic

birth rate

  • 12.7
    per 1,000 population
  • 150
    global rank

death rate

  • 7.9
    per 1,000 population
  • 96
    global rank

urban population

31 %

major urban areas

  • Saint Helier
    pop. 34,000

life expectancy

  • 82.2
    total population
  • 20
    global rank
79.7
male
84.9
female

government

government type

parliamentary democracy (Assembly of the States of Jersey)

capital

Saint Helier
49.11 N, 2.6 W

independence

national holidays

  • Liberation Day
    9 May

legal system

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

age of suffrage

16

flag description

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

national colors

  • red
  • white

national anthem

"Isle de Siez Nous" (Island Home)

economy

overview

Jersey's economy is based on international financial services, agriculture, and tourism. In 2016, the financial services sector accounted for about 41% of the island's output. Agriculture represented about 1% of Jersey’s economy in 2016. Potatoes are an important export crop, shipped mostly to the UK. The Jersey breed of dairy cattle originated on the island and is known worldwide. The dairy industry remains important to the island with approximately $8.8 million gallons of milk produced in 2015. Tourism accounts for a significant portion of Jersey’s economy, with more than 700,000 total visitors in 2015. Living standards come close to those of the UK. 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 offshore financial center. Jersey maintains its relationship with the EU through the UK. Therefore, in light of the UK’s decision to leave the EU, Jersey will also need to renegotiate its ties to the EU.

GDP

5,569,000,000 USD
2016

agriculture products

  • potatoes
  • cauliflower
  • tomatoes
  • beef
  • dairy products

budget

  • 829,000,000
    revenue (USD)
  • 851,000,000
    expenditures (USD)

communications

telephones

    fixed lines

  • 55,938
    total subscriptions
  • 158
    global rank

    mobile cellular

  • 122,668
    total subscriptions
  • 191
    global rank

broadcast media

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

internet

.je
country code

    users

  • 58,000
    total
  • 59.6
    % of population
  • 188
    global rank

energy

electricity access

100%
2016

transportation

air transport

    airports

  • 1
    total
  • 1
    paved

roadways

576 km
total length

military

This entry doesn't have any available military data.