Geography of Jersey

Jersey ( JUR-zee; Jèrriais: Jèrri [ʒɛri]), officially the Bailiwick of Jersey, is an autonomous and self-governing British Crown Dependency in Northwestern Europe 14 miles (23 km) off the Cotentin Peninsula of north-west France. At 45 square miles (120 km2), the main island, Jersey, is the largest of the Channel Islands. Although not a sovereign state, Jersey has its own legal, fiscal and governmental systems; on that basis, it is regarded as a small nation or island country. Jersey's territory also includes some surrounding uninhabited islands and rocks. As of 2021, the island had a population of 103,267. Historically part of the Duchy of Normandy, Jersey remained loyal to the English Crown when the English kings lost mainland Normandy, but it never became part of the Kingdom of England. From then until the end of the Napoleonic Wars, Jersey was at the frontline of Anglo-French Wars and was invaded a number of times, leading to the construction of fortifications such as Mont Orgueil Castle and to a thriving smuggling industry. The island was invaded and occupied by Nazi German forces during the Second World War until 9 May 1945, now celebrated as the island's national day. Jersey is a parliamentary democracy under a constitutional monarchy, with its own financial, legal and judicial systems, and the power of self-determination. The Bailiff is the civil head of the island, the Chief Minister leads the island's government, and the Lieutenant Governor represents the British monarch, who is the head of state. The island is not part of the United Kingdom and has a separate international identity, but the UK government manages its defence, international representation and certain policy areas, such as nationality law. The island has a large financial services industry, as well as agriculture and tourism. Its currency is the Pound sterling with a local issue of banknotes and coins. British cultural influence on the island is evident in its use of English as the main language and its participation in British sporting leagues, but the island also has a strong Norman-French culture, reflected by its historic dialect of the Norman language, Jèrriais.

BBC Radio Jersey is the BBC's local radio station serving the Bailiwick of Jersey. It broadcasts on FM, DAB+, Freeview and via BBC Sounds from studios on Parade Road in St Helier. The station stopped broadcasting on MW on 31 March 2026. According to RAJAR, the station has a weekly audience of 21,000 listeners and a 12.9% share as of December 2023.

Vingtaine du Rouge Bouillon is one of the six vingtaines of St Helier in Jersey, Channel Islands. The vingtaine is named after the main road through the centre of it, known as Rouge Boullion. The vingtaine also has a number of landmarks, such as the Parade, the Hospital and most of People's Park.

Jersey General Hospital in Saint Helier is the only hospital on the island of Jersey. It has 219 beds. Medical students are placed at the hospital by the Wessex Deanery of Health Education England.

St Helier Town hall also known as St Helier Parish Hall (French: La Salle Pârouaîssiale) is the meeting place of St Helier Parish Assembly. It is located on the corner of Seale Street and York Street in St Helier, Jersey.

St Helier (; Jèrriais: Saint Hélyi; French: Saint-Hélier) is the capital of Jersey, the largest of the Channel Islands in the English Channel. It is the most populous of the twelve parishes of Jersey, with a population of 35,822, over one-third of the island's total population. The town of St Helier is the largest settlement and only town of Jersey. The town consists of the built-up areas of St Helier, including First Tower, and parts of the parishes of St Saviour and St Clement, with further suburbs in surrounding parishes. The greater part of the parish of St Helier is rural. It covers a surface area of 4.1 sq mi (10.6 km2), being 9% of the total land area of the island (this includes reclaimed land area of 494 acres (2.00 km2) or 200 ha). The town sits by the coast in the southeastern corner of the parish. Within it lies the main commercial district and the principal harbour of the island. As the capital, it also hosts the island's government, parliament and courts. Evidence of settlement exists as far back as the 13th century, and the growth of the town since has been described as "spasmodic", its expansion reflecting the waves of migration to the island. The parish arms are two crossed gold axes on a blue background, the blue symbolising the sea, and the axes symbolising the martyrdom of Helier at the hands of Saxon pirates in 555 AD.

St Thomas Church (Jèrriais: Églyise dé Saint Thonmas) is a historic Roman Catholic church in St. Helier, Jersey. It is the largest church in the Channel Islands, and first opened in 1887.

The Jersey Railway was originally a 3+3⁄4 miles (6.0 km) long standard gauge railway on Jersey in the Channel Islands. Opened in 1870, it was converted to 3 ft 6 in (1,067 mm) narrow-gauge in 1884 and extended 7+3⁄4 miles (12.5 km). The line closed in 1936.

The Jersey Financial Services Commission (JFSC) is the regulatory body for financial services in Jersey. It is also the Registrar of Companies for Jersey.

St John Ambulance Jersey, officially the Commandery of the Bailiwick of Jersey of the Most Venerable Order of the Hospital of St John of Jerusalem is a charitable voluntary first aid organisation based in Jersey. It teaches first aid and communication skills to over 16s, alongside recruiting volunteers to provide first aid at events, respond to emergencies and work alongside police. On the 3 April 2020, the Jersey Ambulance Service took command of St John Ambulance, to help coordinate its emergency first aid efforts. The organisation is affiliated with St John Ambulance England, and is heavily managed from their headquarters. In 2019, the charity faced financial troubles after failing to find a sponsor. The chief executive, Barry Marsden, said the organisation could face bankruptcy in 2021. Following the statement, David Le Quesne sponsored the charity and brought its finances to £900,000.

16 New Street is a detached Georgian house in St Helier, Jersey. It is in the care of the National Trust for Jersey. It is Grade 2 listed.

King Street (Jèrriais: Rue d'Driéthe), also known as Rue de Derrière, is one of the two parts of the high street of Saint Helier in Jersey. It is a pedestrianised shopping street which runs from Charing Cross at its west end to Queen Street at its east end. It includes a spur that links to Broad Street which is also called King Street in English, but Ruette Haguais in gallicised Jèrriais.