Jersey ~ Channel Islands

Nomadic Hunters in search of mammoth around 250,000 years ago are thought to be the first settlers on Jersey and lived in the caves at St Brelade. When the second ice age ended the Island was again inhabited with settlements around the plains on the coast. Jersey was not permanently occupied until 4500 BC when Neolithic man started to trade with Brittany and England's south coast. Artefacts show that there was a presence of Gauls and Romans but little to show if they actually stayed.

Jersey is an island in the English Channel about 12 miles from the coast of Normandy in France and about 100 miles from the south coast of England. It is the most southern of the Channel Islands and the largest.

Jersey also averages the most sunshine per year in the British Isles. The geography consists of plateaux sloping from sandy bays in the south to rugged cliffs in the north. St. Helier is the main town with about 30% of the 89,000 population living here. There is a British community alongside French, Portuguese and Polish. The Jersey born consider themselves British and have a special bond with the British Crown and the Island.

The Island has a large amount of non-Jersey born people; roughly 50% of the population are not originally from Jersey and English and French are spoken. The economy is largely based on services in finance, internet trade and and farming. Jersey royal potatoes are exported in line with rich milk from the famous Jersey cows. With the temperate climate the growing of flowers which are quite often the first to appear in Spring is another source of income.

Tourism

With a coastline of great beauty and every holidaymakers essential requirements sun, sea and sand Jersey is a destination where people return to year after year. It has good hotels and places to eat where fresh local seafood is traditional cuisine. The history of the Island with the occupation of Germany in World War II can be seen in museums and monuments depicting events. There are fine antiques and art shops in Jersey and some have unique items for sale. Every high street bank and up to 35 other well established banks are here with offshore finance centres for client investments.

Future Developments

In 2005 Jersey was given the status of Fairtrade Island and is also encouraging the production of organic beef. With the current market this could be the beginning of another industry. Access to the Island is reviewed on a regular basis as the weather plays a major part with sea and air travel. With no VAT there is great demand for low value merchandise such as audio visual, lingerie and contact lens in the UK and duty free goods are obviously popular with visitors.

Cities, towns and villages within Jersey