Jersey

Jersey is an island in the English Channel off the northwest coast of France. It is a crown dependency of the British monarchy.  Jersey is called a bailiwick because the person who is the head of law for the island is called the Bailiff. The Bailiwick of Jersey also includes the islands of the Minquiers and Ecréhous, where nobody lives. The other islands of the Channel Islands belong to the Bailiwick of Guernsey.  The country code (also used for internet) is JE.

Over 106 000 people live on the main island. Thirty per cent of them live in its only town, Saint Helier.

Along with English and French, more than two thousand people speak Jèrriais, a local variation of the Norman language.

Politics 
Jersey is not a part of the United Kingdom or of the European Union, but the Queen of the UK is the Queen of Jersey as well. It has its own parliament called the States of Jersey which passes laws for the island.

The Chief Minister of Jersey is in charge of the government. His name is John Le Fondré.

Jersey is divided into 12 parishes which elect their own politicians and have control over some roads and the Honorary (volunteer) police.

History 

People lived in Jersey before the sea rose and made it an island. There are many pre-historic (very old) buildings in Jersey, like La Hougue Bie.

The island was part of Normandy, and in 1066, Normandy became part of England. In 1259, the King of England lost Normandy but kept Jersey and Guernsey.

Jersey was invaded by the French in the Battle of Jersey in 1781.

During World War 2, Jersey was controlled by the Nazis. It was freed on 9 May 1945, which is called Liberation Day and is the national day of Jersey.

Geography 
Jersey is an island. It is in the English Channel, a sea in between France and England. It is 22 kilometres (14 miles) from France and 160 kilometres (100 miles) from England. It is the biggest of the Channel Islands, a group of islands. The other big Channel Island is called Guernsey.

The island is around 9 miles from east to west and 5 miles from north to south, so it is often called "nine-by-five".

The island can have a hot weather in summer and normally has mild weather in winter but sometimes is as cold as -10.3 degrees Celcius. It is sunnier than England, but it rains more as well.

Culture 
Jersey's culture is a mixture of French and British culture. The people speak English, but the old language is called Jèrriais, which is like French.

Because Jersey is an island, fish is a popular food in the island. There is a fish market in the middle of St Helier which sells fresh fish. Jersey is famous for its milk (from Jersey Cows) and its potatoes (called Jersey Royals).

Jersey's newspaper is called the Jersey Evening Post which has been printed since 1890.

There is a musical festival every year called the Weekender which happens in Trinity.

The Jersey Eisteddfod is a big art, music, drama, language and dance compeition that happens every year. Many islanders take part and are given certificates.

Jersey takes part in the Commonwealth Games and the Island Games (which happened in Jersey in 1997 and 2015). Jersey does not have famous sports teams, so islanders who can play sports really well often play for England or other countries in the UK.

Economy 
Jersey has a lot of finance companies who manage people's money. Some call it a tax haven because it has low taxes and many people that use its businesses to pay lower taxes.

Jersey also has a lot of hotels and farms.

Parishes 
There are 12 parishes on the island.

Saint Helier is the capital and main town of Jersey. There are many shops, offices, parks and important buildings.

Saint Saviour is on the east of Saint Helier. There are lots of houses and many people who live here work in Saint Helier.

Saint Clement is in the south east of the island. It is the smallest parish in area.

Grouville is next to Saint Clement. It has a large golf course.

Saint Martin is north of Grouville. It has a large castle in the village of Gorey called Mont Orgeuil Castle.

Trinity has lots of farms. Jersey's zoo is in Trinity.

Saint John is in the north of the island.

Saint Mary has the smallest number of people than any other parish.

Saint Ouen is the biggest parish in area. It has Saint Ouen's Bay, a large beach which is good for surfing.

Saint Peter has the island's airport.

Saint Brelade has a lovely beach called St Brelade's Bay and a lighthouse called Corbiere Lighthouse.

Saint Lawrence is in the middle of the island.

References

Other websites 
  About Jersey (Visitors' guide) 
 Les Pâraîsses d'Jèrri en Jèrriais  (map of parishes, coat-of-arms, and history)
 States of Jersey (Jersey government's website)
 BBC Jersey
 Jersey History
 This is Jersey (Local Portal) 
 Jersey Insight (Local Portal) 
 
 Map of Jersey

English-speaking countries
Islands of the Channel Islands