Jersey

The Bailiwick of Jersey (Jèrriais: Jèrri) is a Crown dependency off the coast of Normandy, France. As well as the island of Jersey itself, it also includes the uninhabited islands of Minquiers and Ecréhous. Along with the Bailiwick of Guernsey it forms the grouping known as the Channel Islands. The defence of all these islands is the responsibility of the United Kingdom. However, Jersey is not part of the UK, but is rather a separate possession of the Crown, comparable to the Isle of Man. It is not a part of the European Union either.

Geography

Main article: Geography of Jersey

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Jersey is an island measuring 118.2 km² (65,569 vergee / 46 sq. mi.), including reclaimed land and intertidal zone. It lies in the English Channel, approximately 22.5 km (12 mi.) from the Cotentin Peninsula in Normandy, France, and 161km (100 mi. approx.) south of Great Britain. It is the largest and southernmost of the Channel Islands.

Related Topics:
Vergee - English Channel - Cotentin Peninsula - France - Great Britain

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The climate is temperate with mild winters and cool summers, it also averages the most sunshine per year in the British Isles. The terrain consists of a plateau sloping from long sandy bays in the south to rugged cliffs in the north. The plateau is cut by valleys running generally north-south.

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Politically, Jersey is divided into 12 parishes, all having access to the sea and mostly named after saints:

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• Saint Helier
• Saint Saviour
• Saint Clement
• Grouville (historically Saint Martin de Grouville)
• Saint Martin (historically Saint Martin le Vieux)
• Trinity
• Saint John
• Saint Mary
• Saint Ouen
• Saint Peter
• Saint Brelade
• Saint Lawrence

The parishes of Jersey are further divided into vingtaines (or, in St. Ouen, cueillettes), divisions which are historic and nowadays mostly used for purposes of local administration and electoral constituency.

Related Topics:
Parishes of Jersey - Vingtaine

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Centeniers are elected at a public election within each parish for a term of three years to undertake policing within the parish. The Centenier is the only officer authorised to charge and bail offenders.

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