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General Information
Area 116.2 sq km (44.9 sq miles). Population 87,186 (2001). Population Density 750.3 per sq km. Capital St Helier. Population: 28,310 (2001). Geography Jersey is the largest of the Channel Islands, lying approximately 160km (100 miles) south of the coast of England and 23km (14 miles) from the coast of Normandy in France. The island is roughly 14.5km (9 miles) by 8km (5 miles). It slopes from north to south and often appears to visitors to be largely composed of pink granite. Jersey has over 20 bays, many small harbours and magnificent beaches bathed by the warm waters of the Gulf Stream. Government Dependency of the British Crown. Head of State: Queen Elizabeth II, represented locally by the Lieutenant-Governor Michael Wilkes. Head of Government: Bailiff Sir Philip Bailhache since 1995. Language English is the official language. A dialect of Norman-French is still spoken by some people. French is still used in courts. Religion Each of Jersey’s parishes has its own Anglican church, but some parishes, particularly St Helier, have been subdivided to provide more than one centre for Church of England worship. There are 12 Roman Catholic and 18 Methodist churches, as well as a wide range of free churches. Time GMT (GMT + 1 from last Sunday in March to Saturday before last Sunday in October). Electricity 240 volts AC, 50Hz. Communications Telephone Country code: 44 (not necessary when dialling from the UK), followed by (0)1534. Outgoing international code: 00. Mobile telephone GSM network 900/1800 operated by Jersey Telecom (website: www.jerseytelecom.com). Triple band and some single band handsets also function. Handsets can be hired for a minimum of three days (cost: 30-100). Most mobile phone networks will work in Jersey but require a roaming facility. 'Pay As You Go' phones will not work in Jersey. Fax Facilities are available for business guests in a few hotels and at fax bureaux in St Helier. Internet Public access is available at Internet cafes and libraries. Roaming agreements exist. Local ISPs include Jtsurf (website: www.jerseytelecoms.com), Localdial and PSInet. Post There is a standard one-price rate to the UK, which is, in general, as good as a first-class UK service, although the prices are lower than UK first class. There is also one rate for internal mail. UK stamps are not valid in Jersey. The main post office is in Broad Street, St Helier. Post office hours: Mon-Fri 0900-1730, Sat 0900-1230. Press Newspapers published in Jersey are the Jersey Evening Post and Jersey Weekly Post. |
