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Europe :: Jersey (British crown dependency)

- ## Introduction :: JERSEY

- Background:
  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.

- ## Geography :: JERSEY

- Location:
  Western Europe, island in the English Channel, northwest of France
  Geographic coordinates:
  49 15 N, 2 10 W
  Map references:
  Europe
  Area:
  total: 116 sq km
  land: 116 sq km
  water: 0 sq km
  country comparison to the world: 225
  Area - comparative:
  about two-thirds the size of Washington, DC
  Land boundaries:
  0 km
  Coastline:
  70 km
  Maritime claims:
  territorial sea: 3 nm
  exclusive fishing zone: 12 nm
  Climate:
  temperate; mild winters and cool summers
  Terrain:
  gently rolling plain with low, rugged hills along north coast
  Elevation extremes:
  lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m
  highest point: unnamed elevation 143 m
  Natural resources:
  arable land
  Land use:
  agricultural land: 66%
  arable land 66%; permanent crops 0%; permanent pasture 0%
  forest: 0%
  other: 34% (2011 est.)
  Irrigated land:
  NA
  Natural hazards:
  NA
  Environment - current issues:
  NA
  Geography - note:
  largest and southernmost of Channel Islands; about 30% of population concentrated in Saint Helier

- ## People and Society :: JERSEY

- Nationality:
  noun: Channel Islander(s)
  adjective: Channel Islander
  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% (2011 est.)
  Languages:
  English 94.5% (official), Portuguese 4.6%, other 0.9% (2001 census)
  Religions:
  Protestant (Anglican, Baptist, Congregational New Church, Methodist, Presbyterian), Roman Catholic
  Population:
  97,294 (July 2015 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 197
  Age structure:
  0-14 years: 16.02% (male 8,066/female 7,517)
  15-24 years: 14.52% (male 7,241/female 6,883)
  25-54 years: 41.31% (male 20,130/female 20,063)
  55-64 years: 12.24% (male 5,797/female 6,109)
  65 years and over: 15.92% (male 6,597/female 8,891) (2015 est.)
  population pyramid:
  Dependency ratios:
  total dependency ratio: 47%
  youth dependency ratio: 21.6%
  elderly dependency ratio: 25.4%
  potential support ratio: 3.9%
  note: data represents the Channel Islands (2015 est.)
  Median age:
  total: 39 years
  male: 36.6 years
  female: 41.4 years (2015 est.)
  Population growth rate:
  0.8% (2015 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 140
  Birth rate:
  11.91 births/1,000 population (2015 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 167
  Death rate:
  7.68 deaths/1,000 population (2015 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 107
  Net migration rate:
  3.76 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2015 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 36
  Urbanization:
  urban population: 31.4% of total population (2014)
  rate of urbanization: 0.76% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)
  data is for the Channel Islands
  Sex ratio:
  at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female
  0-14 years: 1.07 male(s)/female
  15-24 years: 1.05 male(s)/female
  25-54 years: 1 male(s)/female
  55-64 years: 0.95 male(s)/female
  65 years and over: 0.74 male(s)/female
  total population: 0.97 male(s)/female (2015 est.)
  Infant mortality rate:
  total: 3.82 deaths/1,000 live births
  male: 4.03 deaths/1,000 live births
  female: 3.59 deaths/1,000 live births (2015 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 197
  Life expectancy at birth:
  total population: 81.76 years
  male: 79.3 years
  female: 84.37 years (2015 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 17
  Total fertility rate:
  1.66 children born/woman (2015 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 175
  HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
  NA
  HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
  NA
  HIV/AIDS - deaths:
  NA

- ## Government :: JERSEY

- Country name:
  conventional long form: Bailiwick of Jersey
  conventional short form: Jersey
  etymology: the name is of Old Norse origin, but the meaning of the root "Jer(s)" is uncertain; the "-ey" ending means "island"
  Dependency status:
  British crown dependency
  Government type:
  parliamentary democracy
  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; Grouville, Saint Brelade, Saint Clement, Saint Helier, Saint John, Saint Lawrence, Saint Martin, Saint Mary, Saint Ouen, Saint Peter, Saint Saviour, and Trinity
  Independence:
  none (British crown dependency)
  National holiday:
  Liberation Day, 9 May (1945)
  Constitution:
  unwritten; partly statutes, partly common law and practice (2015)
  Legal system:
  the laws of the UK, where applicable, apply; local statutes
  Citizenship:
  see United Kingdom
  Suffrage:
  16 years of age; universal
  Executive branch:
  chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952); represented by Lieutenant Governor Sir John MCCOLL (since 26 September 2011)
  head of government: Chief Minister Ian GORST (18 December 2011); Bailiff Michael BIRT (since 9 July 2009)
  cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed individually by the states
  elections/appointments: the monarchy is hereditary; Council of Ministers including the chief minister indirectly elected by the Assembly of States; lieutenant governor and bailiff appointed by the monarch
  Legislative branch:
  description: unicameral Assembly of the States of Jersey (58 seats; 49 voting members directly elected by simple majority vote include 8 senators to serve 6-year terms, and 29 deputies and 12 constables or heads of parishes to serve 3-year terms; 5 non-voting members appointed by the monarch include the bailiff, lieutenant governor, dean of Jersey, attorney general, and the solicitor general)
  elections: last held on 27 April 2011 (next to be held in 2014)
  election results: percent of vote - NA; seats - independents 53; note - starting with the 2014 elections, the number of Senators will be reduced to 8
  Judicial branch:
  highest court(s): Jersey Court of Appeal (consists of the bailiff, deputy bailiff, and 12 judges and organized into Heritage, Family, Probate, and Civil and Criminal Divisions); Royal Court (consists of the bailiff, deputy bailiff, 6 commissioners - part-time judges, and NA lay people referred to as jurats)
  judge selection and term of office: Jersey Court of Appeal bailiffs and judges appointed by the Crown upon the advice of the Secretary of State for Justice; bailiffs and judges appointed for extent of good behavior; Royal Court bailiffs appointed by the Crown upon the advice of the Secretary of State for Justice; commissioners appointed by the bailiff; jurats appointed by the Electoral College; bailiffs and commissioners appointed for extent of good behavior; jurats appointed until retirement at age 72
  subordinate courts: Magistrate's Court; Youth Court; Petty Debts Court; Parish Hall Enquires (a process of preliminary investigation into youth and minor adult offenses to determine need for presentation before a court)
  Political parties and leaders:
  one registered party:
  Reform Jersey [Sam MEZEC]
  note: most senators and deputies sit as independents
  Political pressure groups and leaders:
  Institute of Directors, Jersey branch (provides business support)
  Jersey Hospitality Association [Ian BARNES] (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)
  Diplomatic representation in the US:
  none (British crown dependency)
  Diplomatic representation from the US:
  none (British crown dependency)
  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 symbol(s):
  Jersey cow; national colors: red, white
  National anthem:
  name: "Isle de Siez Nous" (Island Home)
  lyrics/music: Gerard LE FEUVRE
  note: adopted 2008; serves as a local anthem; as a British crown dependency, "God Save the Queen" is official (see United Kingdom)

- ## Economy :: JERSEY

- Economy - overview:
  Jersey's economy is based on international financial services, agriculture, and tourism. In 2010 the financial services 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. Tourism accounts for one-quarter of GDP. Living standards come close to those of the UK. 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. In October 2014, Jersey signed an OECD agreement to automatically exchange some financial account information to limit tax avoidance and evasion.
  GDP (purchasing power parity):
  $5.771 billion (FY 2012/13 est.)
  $5.786 billion (FY 2011/12)
  note: data are in 2013 US dollars
  country comparison to the world: 171
  GDP (official exchange rate):
  $5.771 billion (FY 2012/13 est.)
  GDP - real growth rate:
  -0.3% (FY 2012/13 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 204
  GDP - per capita (PPP):
  $57,000 (2005 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 16
  GDP - composition, by sector of origin:
  agriculture: 2%
  industry: 2%
  services: 96% (2010)
  Agriculture - products:
  potatoes, cauliflower, tomatoes; beef, dairy products
  Industries:
  tourism, banking and finance, dairy, electronics
  Industrial production growth rate:
  NA%
  Labor force:
  53,380 (June 2012)
  country comparison to the world: 190
  Unemployment rate:
  1.7% (2012 est.)
  2.2% (2006 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 9
  Population below poverty line:
  NA%
  Household income or consumption by percentage share:
  lowest 10%: NA%
  highest 10%: NA%
  Budget:
  revenues: $829 million
  expenditures: $851 million (2005)
  Taxes and other revenues:
  14.4% of GDP (2005)
  country comparison to the world: 198
  Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-):
  -0.4% of GDP (2005)
  country comparison to the world: 52
  Fiscal year:
  1 April - 31 March
  Inflation rate (consumer prices):
  3.7% (2006)
  country comparison to the world: 145
  Market value of publicly traded shares:
  $NA
  Exports:
  $NA
  Exports - commodities:
  light industrial and electrical goods, dairy cattle, foodstuffs, textiles, flowers
  Imports:
  $NA
  Imports - commodities:
  machinery and transport equipment, manufactured goods, foodstuffs, mineral fuels, chemicals
  Debt - external:
  $NA
  Exchange rates:
  Jersey pounds (JEP) per US dollar
  0.607 (2012)
  0.607 (2013)
  0.6391 (2011 est.)
  0.6472 (2010 est)

- ## Energy :: JERSEY

- Electricity - consumption:
  630.1 million kWh (2004 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 168

- ## Communications :: JERSEY

- Telephones - fixed lines:
  total subscriptions: 83,900
  subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 95 (2014 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 148
  Telephones - mobile cellular:
  total: 83,900
  subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 105 (2004)
  country comparison to the world: 194
  Telephone system:
  general assessment: increasingly modern system, with broadband access
  domestic: digital telephone system launch announced in 2006 now implemented; fixed-line and mobile-cellular services widely available; combined fixed-line and mobile-cellular density exceeds 100 per 100 persons
  international: country code - 44; submarine cable connectivity to Guernsey, the UK, and France (2010)
  Broadcast media:
  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)
  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)
  Internet country code:
  .je
  Internet users:
  total: 29,500
  percent of population: 31.9% (2009)
  country comparison to the world: 197

- ## Transportation :: JERSEY

- Airports:
  1 (2013)
  country comparison to the world: 223
  Airports - with paved runways:
  total: 1
  1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2013)
  Roadways:
  total: 576 km (2010)
  country comparison to the world: 192
  Merchant marine:
  registered in other countries: 14 (Gibraltar 1, India 2, Marshall Islands 11) (2010)
  country comparison to the world: 102
  Ports and terminals:
  major seaport(s): Gorey, Saint Aubin, Saint Helier

- ## Military :: JERSEY

- Manpower fit for military service:
  males age 16-49: 18,688
  females age 16-49: 18,615 (2010 est.)
  Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:
  male: 664
  female: 590 (2010 est.)
  Military - note:
  defense is the responsibility of the UK

- ## Transnational Issues :: JERSEY

- Disputes - international:
  none

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