The Bailiwick of Jersey, more commonly shortened to Jersey, is a British Crown Dependency but remains constitutionally separate from the United Kingdom. The government of the UK takes responsibility for defence and international representation but otherwise the island, along with other members of the Channel Islands, is self governing but with no written constitution.

Jersey sits 160 kilometres off the south coast of England and just 22 kilometres north and west of the French coast. Measuring just 14kms by 8kms it has a land area of 116 square kilometres and has a temperate climate with cool summers and mild winters. The island is mainly flat but rises to rugged cliffs in the north. The highest point on the island is just 143 metres above sea level. The coastal area has one of the largest tidal ranges in the world with a spread of 12m.

Jersey is the largest of all the Channel Islands and has a population of around 91,600 of which around 53,500 form the workforce. Approximately 30% of the population live in the principal town of St. Helier. The majority of the people on the island are native to Jersey (51%) with Britons (35%) being the next largest group. The island also has a sizable Irish and French grouping (7%) whilst Portuguese and Madeirans make up around 6%. As a consequence, the vast majority of the population (95%) speak English as their first language. English is the official language of the island.

The island is governed by a Chief Minister who is elected by the Assembly of States. The Head of State is Queen Elizabeth II of the UK and she appoints a lieutenant governor to represent her and a bailiff. The Assembly of the States of Jersey has 58 members, 55 of whom vote and 12 of whom are senators selected to serve six year terms of office. A further 29 are deputies that are elected for three years. Other voting members include the bailiff and deputy bailiff with the three non voting members being the Dean of Jersey, the Solicitor General and the Attorney General. Although there are two officially registered political parties on the island (Jersey Democratic Alliance and the Centre Party), all 55 voting members elected in the 2008 elections are independent.

Administratively, the island is divided into 12 parishes; Trinity, Saint Saviour, Saint Peter, Saint Ouen, Saint Mary, Saint Martin, Saint Lawrence, Saint John, Saint Helier, Saint Clement, Saint Brelade and Grouville. Each parish is led by a constable who is elected for a three year term of office. Each parish has access to the sea and is named after the principal church.

Tourism accounts for a quarter of the islands GDP. Each year over 725,000 visitors go to the island and spend around £220m whilst there. Nearly 80% of these visitors come from the UK with 11% coming from Germany and France. The island has over 13,000 beds available along with 1,250 campsite places. Over 7,250 people are employed in the tourist industry and it contributes over £10m in direct taxation.

The other principal economic contributor is financial services which has grown in recent years to represent around 50% of the islands output. The island is a popular destination for financial services since the tax rate for both individuals and corporate's is low. The standard personal tax rate is 20% and there are no other wealth, gift or inheritance taxes payable. Some businesses can attract a 10% tax rate on overseas earnings making the island an attractive home for offshore banking and financial services activities. The island is host to 45 banks and over 33,000 registered companies with over £186bn deposited in the island; over two-thirds being in foreign currency.

Agriculture makes up around 5% of GDP with potatoes, tomatoes, flowers, beef, dairy produce and cauliflowers being the main crops. Most is exported to the UK. The total economic Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is over $3bn making it the 159th largest economy in the world. GDP per head is £35,400 making it the seventh wealthiest state in the world.

The island has sought to control its population carefully since the end of the Second World War. There have been strict quotas on who can relocate to the island and buy property. Whilst there are no travel restrictions in place, becoming a resident is a stiffer challenge. Essentially, you have to be employed in a required industry or to be able to demonstrate an ability to contribute to the economic welfare of the island. This usually means that any business you bring or establish must contribute to the social or economic welfare of the island and/or you must be able to sustain a minimum £100,000 tax payment to the island. This, in essence, means that you must be able to demonstrate that you will earn at least £500,000 per year in taxable income.

Property on the island is not cheap. Over the years it has matched London prices and with a steady influx of wealthy new residents, demand for quality homes remains high. Not all property is available to new settlers. Some housing is reserved for local indigenous population so as to remain more affordable.

Unemployment remains low at just over 2%.

The island is served by one main international airport and three seaports at St Helier, St Aubin and Gorey. There is 720km of paved road on the island plus a 72km narrow roadways network known as 'Green Lanes' where the speed limit is just 24kph.

In times gone by, the island was home to a number of well known people. Lilly Langtry, the actress and mistress to various Royal Princes, was born there in 1853.The golfer, Harry Vardon, was born in Grouville in 1870. Other famous people to live on the island include French writer Victor Hugo, authors Jack Higgins, Thomas Hardy and George Eliot. Other notable visitors included Karl Marx and Friedrich Engles between 1857 and 1885 although neither appears to have been impressed by the island.