Jersey

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.
Location: Location: Western Europe, island in the English Channel, northwest of France. Area: Total: 116 sq km. Area - comparative: About 0.7 times the size of Washington, DC. Coastline: 70 km.
Climate and Terrain: Climate: Temperate; mild winters and cool summers. Terrain: Gently rolling plain with low, rugged hills along north coast. Geography - note: Largest and southernmost of Channel Islands; about 30% of population concentrated in Saint Helier.
People: Population: 90,156. Ethnic groups: UK and Norman-French descent. Religions: Anglican, Roman Catholic, Baptist, Congregational New Church, Methodist, Presbyterian. Languages: English (official), French (official), Norman-French dialect spoken in country districts.
Government: Dependency status: British crown dependency. Capital: Saint Helier.
Economy overview: The economy is based largely on international 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 income earner. Milk products go to the UK and other EU countries. In 1996 the finance sector accounted for about 60% of the island's output. Tourism, another mainstay of the economy, accounts for 24% of GDP. 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. Light taxes and death duties make the island a popular tax haven.
Statistics: Telephones - main lines in use: 65,500. Telephones - mobile cellular: 4,400. Radio broadcast stations: FM 1. Television broadcast stations: 2. Railways: 0 km. Highways: Total: 577 km. Airports: 1.