Jersey
Bailiwick of Jersey
parliamentary democracyIndependence none (British crown dependency)
Jersey as the 2009 edition of the CIA World Factbook published it: 97 fields, one of 36 editions from 1990 to 2025.
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Introduction
1 fieldBackground
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.
Geography
Western Europe, island in the English Channel, northwest of France
17 fieldsLand useshare of 116 sq km
Geography - note
largest and southernmost of Channel Islands; about 30% of population concentrated in Saint Helier
People
21 fieldsAge structuremale left, female right · (2009 est.)
Per 1,000 population
Male · female(2009 est.)
Sex ratio
- at birth:
- 1.08 male(s)/female
- under 15 years:
- 1.08 male(s)/female
- 15-64 years:
- 1 male(s)/female
- 65 years and over:
- 0.8 male(s)/female
- total population:
- 0.97 male(s)/female (2009 est.)
Ethnic groups
Jersey 51.1%, Britons 34.8%, Irish, French, and other white 6.6%, Portuguese/Madeiran 6.4%, other 1.1% (2001 census)
Government
Parliamentary democracy; Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952); Chief Minister Terry LE SUEUR (12 December 2008)
18 fieldsAssembly of the States of Jersey, 55 seats, elected 15 October 2008 for senators and 26 November 2008 for deputiesone dot, one seat
Capital
- name:
- Saint Helier
- geographic coordinates:
- 49 11 N, 2 06 W
- time difference:
- UTC 0 (5 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)
- daylight saving time:
- +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October
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 Ouen, Saint Peter, Saint Saviour, and Trinity
Legal system
the laws of the UK, where applicable, apply and local statutes; justice is administered by the Royal Court
Executive branch
- chief of state:
- Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952); represented by Lieutenant Governor Andrew RIDGEWAY (since 14 June 2006)
- head of government:
- Chief Minister Terry LE SUEUR (12 December 2008); Bailiff Philip Martin BAILHACHE (since February 1995)
- cabinet:
- Cabinet (since December 2005)
- elections:
- ministers of the Cabinet including the chief minister are elected by the Assembly of States;
- the monarch is hereditary;
- lieutenant governor and bailiff appointed by the monarch
Legislative branch
unicameral Assembly of the States of Jersey (58 seats; 55 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 bailiff and the deputy bailiff, and 3 non-voting members includes the Dean of Jersey, the Attorney General, and the Solicitor General appointed by the monarch)
- elections:
- last held 15 October 2008 for senators and 26 November 2008 for deputies (next to be held in 2011)
- election results:
- percent of vote - NA; seats - independents 55
Political parties and leaders
two declared parties: Centre Party; Jersey Democratic Alliance note: all senators and deputies elected in 2008 were independents
Political pressure groups and leaders
- 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 [Darius J. PEARCE, 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)
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 the three lions of England in yellow
Economy
Jersey's economy is based on international financial services, agriculture, and tourism.
24 fieldsGDP - composition by sector(2005)
Economy - overview
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.
Imports - commodities
machinery and transport equipment, manufactured goods, foodstuffs, mineral fuels, chemicals
Exchange rates
Jersey pounds per US dollar 0.5302 (2008 est.), 0.4993 (2007), 0.5418 (2006), 0.5493 (2005), 0.5462 (2004) note: the Jersey pound is at par with the British pound
Communications
8 fieldsTelephone system
- general assessment:
- state owned, partially-competitive market; increasingly modern, with some broadband access
- domestic:
- digital telephone system launch announced in 2006 and currently being implemented;
- fixed-line and mobile-cellular services widely available;
- combined fixed and mobile-cellular density exceeds 100 per 100 persons
- international:
- submarine cable connectivity to Guernsey, the UK, and France (2008)
Radio broadcast stations
AM NA, FM 1, shortwave 0 (UK radio broadcasts carried via local relays) (2008)
Television broadcast stations
2 (UK television carried by local relays with a switch to digital broadcasts scheduled for 2010) (2008)
Transportation
4 fieldsMilitary
3 fieldsTransnational Issues
1 fieldCite this entry
Central Intelligence Agency. “Jersey.” The World Factbook 2009. Archived by The Factbook, thefactbook.org/jersey/2009.