The island of Jersey, Channel Islands has a more formal name in that it’s actually officially called “The Bailiwick of Jersey.” As a part of the Channel Islands it also belongs in what the UK calls a “Common Travel Area.” Additionally, the island is a British Crown Dependency, falling directly under the control of the monarchy, at present. With a population approaching 93, 000 citizens, it sits very near to France.
There are two official languages on Jersey, English and French. It is one of a number of 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 is directly due to 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 of an effort by the Romans of the day to have tried to settle Jersey. Other than a few very small Roman temples in certain spots on the island, they largely left it alone.
Over the course of history, Jersey finally went English permanently when William I became England’s king in 1066. He naturally brought the Duchy of Normandy into the English camp. It was in this duchy that Jersey had belonged until then. Historically, the island fell to German forces for almost five years during the Second World War
In the present day, this British Crown Dependent island – which is a part of the United Kingdom, though it isn’t technically an official member – provides a geographically interesting area for residents and tourists alike. Jersey is also attempting to solidify its own distinct national identity, as evidenced by some sympathy among residents for an eventual breaking away from England.
The Channel Islands, the classification of islands in which Jersey is a member, are diverse and mainly composed, population-wise, of Jersey and Guernsey. The region is a favorite of sightseers and tourists mainly due to the easy mix of English and French cultures. They shouldn’t be missed, when traveling in the UK and England in particular.
