Background: The island of 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.

Land boundaries: none

Coastline: 70 km

Maritime claims: Continental shelf:200 meters or to depth of exploitation;

Climate: temperate; mild winters and cool summers

Terrain: gently rolling plain with low, rugged hills along north coast

Natural resources: agricultural land

Land use: NA% arable land; NA% permanent crops; NA% meadows and pastures; NA% forest and woodland; NA% other; about 58% of land under cultivation

Geography
Note: defense is the responsibility of the UK

Population: 83,609 (July 1990), growth rate 0.9% (1990)

Nationality: noun--Channel Islander(s; adjective--Channel Islander

Ethnic groups: UK and Norman-French descent

Languages: English and French (official), with the Norman-French dialect spoken in country districts

Religions: Anglican, Roman Catholic, Baptist, Congregational New Church, Methodist, Presbyterian

Birth rate: 12 births/1000 population (1990)

Death rate: 10 deaths/1000 population (1990)

Net migration rate: 7 migrants/1000 population (1990)

Environment
Current issues: about 30% of population concentrated in Saint Helier

Infant mortality rate: 6 deaths/1000 live births (1990)

Life expectancy at birth: 72 years male, 78 years female (1990)

Total fertility rate: 1.3 children born/woman (1990)

Literacy: NA%, but probably high

Country name: conventional long form: Bailiwick of Jersey

Government type: British crown dependency

Capital: Saint Helier

Administrative divisions: none (British crown dependency)

Independence: none (British crown dependency)

National holiday: Liberation Day, 9 May (1945)

Constitution: unwritten; partly statutes, partly common law and practice

Legal system: English law and local statute

Suffrage: universal adult at age NA

Executive branch: Chief of State--Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952; Head of Government--Lieutenant Governor Adm. Sir William PILLAR (since NA 1985; Bailiff Peter CRILL (since NA)

Legislative branch: unicameral Assembly of the States

Judicial branch: Royal Court

Diplomatic representation
In the us: none (British crown dependency)

Flag description: white with the diagonal red cross of St. Patrick (patron saint of Ireland) extending to the corners of the flag

Economy overview: The economy is based largely on financial services, agriculture, and tourism. 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 earner. Milk products go to the UK and other EC countries. In 1986 the finance sector overtook tourism as the main contributor to GDP, accounting for 40% of the island's output. In recent years the government has encouraged light industry to locate in Jersey, with the result that an electronics industry has developed alongside the traditional manufacturing of knitwear. All raw material and energy requirements are imported, as well as a large share of Jersey's food needs.

Agriculture products: potatoes, cauliflowers, tomatoes; dairy and cattle farming

Industries: tourism, banking and finance, dairy

Industrial production growth rate: NA%

Labor force: NA

Unemployment rate: NA%

Budget: revenues $308.0 million; expenditures $284.4 million, including capital expenditures of NA (1985)

Fiscal year: 1 April-31 March

Exports: $NA
Commodities: light industrial and electrical goods, foodstuffs, textiles
Partners: UK

Imports: $NA
Commodities: machinery and transport equipment, manufactured goods, foodstuffs, mineral fuels, chemicals
Partners: UK

Debt external: $NA

Exchange rates: Jersey pounds (LJ) per US$1--0.6055 (January 1990), 0.6099 (1989), 0.5614 (1988), 0.6102 (1987), 0.6817 (1986), 0.7714 (1985; the Jersey pound is at par with the British pound

Electricity
Capacity: 50,000 kW standby capacity (1989; power supplied by France

Airports: 1 with permanent-surface runway 1,220-2,439 m (St. Peter)