The island of Jersey, Channel Islands, has a more formal name, as it is actually officially called the “Bailiwick of Jersey”. As part of the Channel Islands, it also belongs to what the UK calls the “Common Travel Area”. Furthermore, the island is a British crown dependency, and is currently directly under the control of the monarchy. With a population close to 93,000 citizens, it is very close to France.
There are two official languages in Jersey, English and French. It is one of several islands within the Channel Islands, most of which are uninhabited except for Guernsey. It is somewhat smaller in total population and size, with Jersey coming in at about 45 square miles. Its history stems directly from its strategic location between the nations of England and France.
The island shows evidence of Stone Age settlement, along with later Iron Age human population groupings. Interestingly, there doesn’t seem to have been much effort on the part of the Romans at the time to try and colonize Jersey. Apart from a few very small Roman temples in certain places on the island, it was largely left alone.
Throughout history, Jersey finally became permanently English when William I became King of England in 1066. Naturally, he brought the Duchy of Normandy to the English side. It was to this dukedom that Jersey had hitherto belonged. Historically, the island fell into the hands of German forces for almost five years during World War II.
Today, this British crown dependent island, which is part of the United Kingdom, although not technically an official member, offers a geographically interesting area for residents and tourists alike. Jersey is also trying to solidify its own distinctive national identity, as evidenced by some sympathy among residents for an eventual break with England.
The Channel Islands, the classification of islands of which Jersey is a member, are diverse and comprised primarily, in terms of population, of Jersey and Guernsey. The region is a favorite with tourists and tourists, mainly due to the easy mix of English and French cultures. They are not to be missed, especially when traveling in the UK and England.
