Jersey, Crown Dependency in the English Channel
The island divides into twelve administrative parishes, with Saint Helier serving as the capital and primary commercial center. Rugged northern coasts with granite cliffs contrast with sandy bays along southern and eastern shores. Agricultural land covers the interior between coastal settlements and historical fortifications. The road network connects all parishes to the harbor area.
In twelve hundred and four, the territory retained allegiance to the English Crown when continental Normandy was lost, establishing its position as a British Crown Dependency. German forces occupied the island from nineteen forty to nineteen forty-five during World War II. After liberation, it developed into a major international finance center with independent tax laws and administrative structures.
Norman-French heritage shapes local customs through the Jèrriais language, parish assemblies and the annual Liberation Day celebration on May ninth. Traditional island dishes incorporate seafood and agricultural produce from local farms. Folk festivals and historical rites reflect centuries of insular development, while modern residents integrate both British and continental European influences into daily life.
The territory maintains separate legal, financial and immigration systems from the United Kingdom while relying on British defense and international representation. Ferry services operate daily to England and France, while a regional airport offers direct flights to European destinations. Visitors require valid travel documents and should carry local currency or British pounds. Rental cars and public buses enable exploration of coastal areas and historical sites.
Jersey Royal potatoes grow exclusively on south-facing slopes during winter and spring, benefiting from maritime climate conditions. The variety received European Union protected designation of origin status in nineteen ninety-eight. Farmers tend steep terraces by hand and harvest the early potatoes from late February for export to Britain and continental European markets.
Inception: December 12, 1651
Capital city: Saint Helier
Part of: British Islands, Northern Europe
GPS coordinates: 49.22146,-2.13584
Latest update: November 30, 2025 18:39
This collection encompasses the world's smallest countries and territories by land area, measured including lakes and rivers within their borders. The list features both independent sovereign states and dependent territories with varying political statuses. From Vatican City at 0.4 square kilometers to Monaco and San Marino in Europe, and island nations in the Caribbean such as Saint Kitts and Nevis, this selection demonstrates the geographic diversity of compact territories. The European microstates offer medieval fortifications, princely palaces, and modern financial districts within limited spaces. Pacific atolls like Nauru and Tuvalu present coral formations and tropical coastlines, while Caribbean islands combine volcanic mountains, rainforests, and colonial architecture. Despite their limited size, these countries and territories maintain their own governmental systems, cultures, and economic models ranging from tourism and financial services to fishing and agriculture.
Jersey features a history that spans from the Neolithic period to World War II. On this Channel Island, visitors can explore Mont Orgueil Castle, a 13th-century fortress overlooking Gorey, and Elizabeth Castle, a 16th-century fort accessible by a causeway covered at high tide. The War Tunnels, a one-kilometer underground network built between 1940 and 1945, illustrate the period of German occupation. La Hougue Bie hosts a 6,000-year-old burial site topped with two medieval chapels. The island also offers natural areas such as Saint-Brelade Beach, maritime collections at the Jersey Museum, and local products available at La Mare Wine Estate or the Anglo-Normandian Islands Distillery. The Jersey Zoo, established in 1959, is dedicated to protecting endangered species over 13 hectares. These sites help understand the island's history, from its earliest inhabitants to maritime activities that have shaped Jersey up to the present.
Haut de la Garenne
8.3 km
Mont Orgueil
8.8 km
Elizabeth Castle
5.2 km
La Hougue Bie
5.7 km
Hohlgangsanlage 8
1.8 km
Battery Moltke
9.1 km
Grouville Hoard
7.2 km
La Cotte de St Brelade
6.4 km
Battery Lothringen
6.5 km
Springfield Stadium
4.3 km
Fort Regent
5 km
Grosnez Castle
9 km
St Matthew's Church
2.6 km
St Brelade's Church
6.4 km
Government House
4.2 km
Jersey Opera House
4.2 km
Parish Church of Saint Helier
4.7 km
Les Landes
8.9 km
Pallot Heritage Steam Museum
2.1 km
Le Hocq
8.1 km
Les Augrès Manor
4.5 km
Jersey War Tunnels
1.8 km
Samarès Manor
6.8 km
Saint Thomas'
4.2 km
Saint Ouen's Manor
4.6 km
Le Pinacle
9 km
Sechsschartenturm, Heavy MG bunker, La Mare Mill
5.6 km
Marine Terrace
6.7 kmReviews
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