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Representation of the Islands in France – BIAN

THE BAILIWICK
OF JERSEY

Located in the English Channel, close to the Cotentin Peninsula, the Island of Jersey can be found 25km from the French coast and 130km from England. It covers 120km² and has a population of approximately 100,000, St Helier in the South of the Island is Jersey’s capital.

The island is an autonomous dependency of the British Crown, a link that has been established for over 800 years since Jersey formed part of the Duchy of Normandy. Under this constitutional arrangement, Jersey is self-governing with its own Government, Parliament (the States Assembly) and legal system. The Executive function of Jersey’s Government is carried out by the Council of Ministers, which is led by the Chief Minister.

Monument Jersey

History and culture

The Island is dotted with historical and cultural remains dating back millennia, including fascinating sites such as Elizabeth Castle, which has defended the Island for more than 400 years, La Hougue Bie, which played host to the Island’s Neolithic ancestors 5,500 years ago, and the many military bunkers left over from the Nazi occupation that dot the landscape.

Although English is the main language in Jersey, islanders continue to celebrate the traditional language, Jerriais which holds an official status and is closely related to Norman patois. French is also an official language and is widely taught in schools on the island. Jersey enjoys a mild microclimate, owing to the shelter afforded by the Bay of Saint-Malo.

With fond childhood memories of time spent in Jersey, in 1937 avant garde French artists Claude Cahun and Marcel Moore made the island home, and proudly led a resistance campaign against occupying Nazi forces during the Second World War. Living in St Brelades Bay, the couple described life in Jersey as ‘a holiday without end’! 

Economy and trade

Over the centuries, the Island’s economy has undergone significant change, shifting from a focus on agriculture—whether it was cider, cattle, or potatoes—through tourism, to the present day, where the financial services industry directly accounts for approximately 40% of the economy.

The presence of a successful finance sector enables Jersey to provide high-quality public services and also means that the Island’s standard of living is higher than it might otherwise be. In 2011, the gross value added (GVA) was £3.6bn, translating to £37,000 per head, one of the highest in the world. Jersey has a stable and internationally competitive tax regime that meets OECD standards of transparency and information exchange.