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Native name: Jèrri | |
|---|---|
 Map of islands of Bailiwick of Jersey | |
  Jersey | |
| Geography | |
| Location | English Channel |
| Coordinates | 49°11′24.06″N2°6′36″W / 49.1900167°N 2.11000°W /49.1900167; -2.11000 |
| Archipelago | Channel Islands |
| Area | 119.49 km2 (46.14 sq mi) |
| Length | 14 km (8.7 mi) |
| Width | 8 km (5 mi) |
| Coastline | 70 km (43 mi) |
| Highest elevation | 143 m (469 ft) |
| Highest point | Les Platons |
| Administration | |
United Kingdom | |
| Crown dependency | Jersey |
| Capital city | Saint Helier |
| Largest settlement | Saint Helier |
| Demographics | |
| Population | 99,500[1] (2013) |
| Pop. density | 819/km2 (2121/sq mi) |
| Ethnic groups | English andNorman-French descent.Portuguese andPolish minorities |
Jersey (Jèrriais:Jèrri) is the largest of theChannel Islands, an island archipelago in the St. Malo bight[2] in the westernEnglish Channel. It has a total area of 120 square kilometres (46 sq mi) and is part of the British Isles archipelago. It lies 22 kilometres (12 nmi; 14 mi) from theCotentin Peninsula inNormandy, France and about 161 kilometres (87 nmi; 100 mi) from the south coast ofGreat Britain. Jersey lies within longitude-2° W and latitude49° N.
It has a coastline of 70 kilometres and no land connections to any other territories. Jersey claims a territorial sea of 3 nmi (5.6 km; 3.5 mi) and an exclusive fishing zone of 12 nmi (22.2 km; 13.8 mi) and shares maritime borders with theBailiwick of Guernsey to the north andFrance to the south and east.
Jersey is the main island of theBailiwick of Jersey, which also consists of islet groups known as Les Écréhous, Les Minquiers, Les Dirouilles and Les Pierres de Lecq.
It is a highly densely populated territory, being the 13th most densely populated country or territory. About 30% of the population of the island is concentrated in the parish ofSaint Helier, which contains the main town of the island.
The island has anoceanic climate, with cool to mild winters and lukewarm to warm summers.[3] The highest temperature recorded was 37.9 °C (100.2 °F), on18 July 2022,[4] and the lowest temperature recorded was −10.3 °C or 13.5 °F, on 5 January 1894. 2022 was the warmest (and sunniest) year on record; the mean daily air temperature was 13.56 °C or 56.41 °F.[5] For tourism advertising, Jersey often claims to be "the sunniest place in the British Isles", as Jersey has over 1,900 hours of sunlight. Jersey is indeed one of the sunniest places in the British Isles, especially during the warmer months, as it is subject to more influence from theAzores High, which acts as a blocking mechanism fordepressions that originate in the North Atlantic and that produce stratiform clouds and rain; these are deflected northwards towards the UK mainland. TheAzores High further reduces the type of convective cloud formations (particularlyCumulus andStratocumulus) that are common over more northern and inland areas of the UK during summer throughsubsidence.
In 2011, Jersey generated controversy for calling itself "the warmest place in the British Isles" during an advertising campaign, as Jersey is neither the place with the highest maximum temperature in the British Isles (40.3 °C or 104.5 °F was recorded inConingsby,Lincolnshire in July 2022[6]) or the highest winter temperatures in the British Isles (which would be theIsles of Scilly).[7]
Typical wind speeds vary between 20 kilometres per hour (12 mph) and 40 kilometres per hour (25 mph). During the cooler months,extratropical cyclones can producegales somewhat regularly.
Snow is very rare in Jersey. The last significant snowfall event occurred in March 2013, when 14 centimetres (5.5 in) fell.[8] The most recent measurable snowfall occurred on 8–9 January 2024, when 3 to 5 centimetres (1.2 to 2.0 in) fell.[9] Initially, a fall of only 0.5 cm (0.20 in) had been forecast, so the event was more significant than expected.[10]
Extreme weather is rare due to the island's mild climate. Spring and summer thunderstorms originating from the European mainland occasionally occur, but are usually not severe. Thunderstormsadvecting north from theBay of Biscay tend to occur during the summer if the influence of theAzores High temporarily weakens and acut-off low develops in the region. Cool season thunderstorms are more common compared with other parts of Europe, as the relatively warm sea-surface temperatures drive moderate surface-based convection into the cold, dry air aloft. This tends to result insmall hail and weakwaterspouts driven by convection and frequent shear brought on bycold fronts.[citation needed]
In November 2023, Jersey was hit by extratropicalStorm Ciarán, causing heavy rainfall, extremely high winds with gusts of up to 104 miles per hour (167 km/h).[11] Asupercell thunderstorm associated with thecold front of this system hit Jersey at around midnight on 2 November 2023. With severewind shear and a significanttemperature contrast of the upper atmosphere and sea surface, the storm produced extremely large hailand a tornado, which devastated the eastern half of the Island and was subsequentlyrated T6/EF3 by TORRO, making it one of the most severe tornadoes ever recorded in the British Isles.[12]
The Government of Jersey's official meteorological department provides a five-day forecast for Jersey and Guernsey, including detailed shipping forecasts and aviation forecasts.
Jersey has a generally mild, temperature and oceanic climate. The mean daily air temperature for 2019 was 12.79 °C - the eighth warmest year since 1894. The record warmest year was 2014, with a mean daily air temperature of 13.34 °C.
There are very few extreme weather events in Jersey, however there are regular heatwaves and storm periods.[13] This can lead to disruption across the island. For example, in February 2020,Storm Ciara led to the closure of a number of roads (especiallyVictoria Avenue).[14]
| Climate data forJersey Airport, elevation 84m, 1981–2010 | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Record high °C (°F) | 14.0 (57.2) | 18.0 (64.4) | 20.3 (68.5) | 25.0 (77.0) | 28.0 (82.4) | 33.0 (91.4) | 36.0 (96.8) | 36.0 (96.8) | 30.2 (86.4) | 26.0 (78.8) | 21.0 (69.8) | 16.0 (60.8) | 36.0 (96.8) |
| Mean daily maximum °C (°F) | 8.3 (46.9) | 8.4 (47.1) | 10.4 (50.7) | 12.5 (54.5) | 15.8 (60.4) | 18.4 (65.1) | 20.4 (68.7) | 20.6 (69.1) | 18.7 (65.7) | 15.4 (59.7) | 11.7 (53.1) | 9.2 (48.6) | 14.2 (57.6) |
| Daily mean °C (°F) | 6.3 (43.3) | 6.1 (43.0) | 7.9 (46.2) | 9.5 (49.1) | 12.6 (54.7) | 15.1 (59.2) | 17.2 (63.0) | 17.5 (63.5) | 15.8 (60.4) | 13.0 (55.4) | 9.6 (49.3) | 7.1 (44.8) | 11.5 (52.7) |
| Mean daily minimum °C (°F) | 4.3 (39.7) | 3.8 (38.8) | 5.3 (41.5) | 6.5 (43.7) | 9.3 (48.7) | 11.8 (53.2) | 13.9 (57.0) | 14.3 (57.7) | 12.9 (55.2) | 10.6 (51.1) | 7.5 (45.5) | 5.0 (41.0) | 8.8 (47.8) |
| Record low °C (°F) | −10.3 (13.5) | −9.0 (15.8) | −3.3 (26.1) | −1.6 (29.1) | 0.0 (32.0) | 5.9 (42.6) | 9.0 (48.2) | 7.7 (45.9) | 6.0 (42.8) | −2.6 (27.3) | −3.0 (26.6) | −4.0 (24.8) | −10.3 (13.5) |
| Averageprecipitation mm (inches) | 93.1 (3.67) | 68.9 (2.71) | 66.1 (2.60) | 56.4 (2.22) | 55.6 (2.19) | 47.5 (1.87) | 44.6 (1.76) | 49.5 (1.95) | 63.9 (2.52) | 103.4 (4.07) | 105.4 (4.15) | 111.3 (4.38) | 865.8 (34.09) |
| Mean monthlysunshine hours | 66.1 | 91.6 | 134.0 | 196.5 | 236.7 | 245.4 | 252.7 | 235.3 | 184.6 | 118.8 | 79.9 | 63.2 | 1,904.8 |
| Source: Met Office[15] and Voodoo Skies[16] | |||||||||||||
Besides the main island, the bailiwick includesother islets and reefs with no permanent population:Les Écréhous,Les Minquiers,Les Pierres de Lecq,Les Dirouilles.
The highest point in the island isLes Platons on the north coast, at 136 metres (446 ft). Parts of the parish ofSt Clement in the south were previously below sea-level but the construction of a seawall and infilling of low land has probably left only a few pockets of land below mean sea level. The terrain is generally low-lying on the south coast, with some rockyheadlands, rising gradually to rugged cliffs along the north coast. On the west coast there aresand dunes. Small valleys run north to south across the island. Very large tidal variation exposes large expanses of sand and rock to the southeast at low tide.
Snow falls rarely in Jersey; some years will pass with no snow fall at all.
The main natural resource on this island isarable land. 66% of the island's land is used as such, and the remaining 34% is used for other purposes.
There are two laws that govern agricultural land in Jersey: Agricultural Land (Control of Sales and Leases) (Jersey) Law 1947 and Protection of Agricultural Land (Jersey) Law 1964. Temporary changes of land use can be granted by the Land Controls scheme, which means land over 2vergées (0.36 ha) can be used for an alternative purpose, however permanent changes requireplanning permission.[17]
The Channel Islands are located in an area with a large tidal range. The development of tidal energy in the archipelago has long been suggested. Studies suggest the primary sites for tidal energy development would be located in the Bailiwick of Guernsey, especially in the Alderney Race, which could potentially produce up to 5.10 GW of power.[18]
Jersey is facing localised impacts due to anthropogenicclimate change. The island is party to theKyoto Protocol but does not have an emissions cap.[19] In 2017, Jersey has emissions of around 400 ktCO2 eq., a decrease of around 350 ktCO2 eq since the peak in 1998.[20] Under a 3 °C rise in temperature, Jersey may have four to five times the number of hot days in summer and a 45% decrease in summer rainfall.
| Emissions (kt CO2eq) | % | |
|---|---|---|
| Agriculture | 14.8 | 4 |
| Business | 80.3 | 22 |
| Energy Supply | 22.7 | 6 |
| Land use change | -6.5 | -2 |
| Residential | 56.0 | 15 |
| Transport | 186.9 | 51 |
| Waste Management | 11.4 | 3 |
| Imported Electricity | 3 | 0.8 |
| Total | 368.5 |
Climate change could have impacts on Jersey's economy. Climate change will increase soil temperatures, shifting growing seasons more to winter seasons, impacting the currenthusbandry practices. Being at the boundary of two marine regions, Jersey's waters could see a change in fish species. A rise in temperature could be beneficial to the island's tourist industry, with more annual warm days and less rainfall in the summer attracting longer and more frequent stays from travellers.
In May 2019, the States Assembly declared the island was undergoing aclimate emergency. This commits the island tocarbon neutrality by 2030.[21] On 31 Dec 2019, the Government of Jersey published the Carbon Neutral Strategy[20] which aims to meet the island's carbon neutrality target. Plans of the Carbon Neutral Strategy include:
In order to adapt to the effects ofsea level rise on the island, the Government has prepared a Shoreline Management Plan.
Jersey has a population of 107,800[22] and a population density of roughly 917 people per square kilometre. The population is spread out throughout Jersey's twelve parishes, with population concentrated in the seven southern parishes.
Outside of the town, the land is largely separated into small closes, dissimilar to the larger fields found on Great Britain or the European continent. This land division structure has a long history in the island. In 1815, Quayle stated "no country is more strongly enclosed than Jersey".[23]
The settlement geography of Jersey has always been dispersed across the island, though with a much smaller population in the past. In the 19th century, Jersey had no tendency towards village or centralised settlement, except in the growing town ofSt. Helier. On the 1795 Richmond Map, the land appears "excessively divided" into small closes and even around the parish churches, the houses are no denser than elsewhere.[2]: 39–40
Jersey can be defined as an urban island. The 2011 Island Plan defines the island's built-up areas as three main entities.[24] The island effectively operates as a single conurbation, consisting of an urban core, suburbs and exurban rural communities.
The largest settlement is the town ofSt Helier, which also plays host to the island's seat of government. The town consists of the built-up area of southern St Helier, including First Tower, and some adjoining parts of St Saviour and St Clement, such as Georgetown. The town is the central business district, hosting a large proportion of the island's retail and employment, such as the finance industry.
The primary suburban areas of St Helier consist of the Five Oaks area in St Saviour, and developments along the coast, primarily along main roads to east and west of the town. The south and east coasts fromSt Aubin toGorey are largely urbanised, with only small gaps in their development, such as the Royal Golf Course in Grouville.
Outside of the town, many islanders live in rural and village settlements and even the more rural areas of the island have considerable amounts of development (even St Ouen, the least densely populated parish still has 270 persons per square kilometre[25]). The most notable exurban development is the Les Quennevais area, which is home to a small precinct of shops, a park and a leisure centre. Many people in these communities regularly travel to St Helier for work and leisure purposes.
Most of the villages are the namesake settlement of their parish, for example St John's Village inSt John, however some are not, such as Maufant Village on the border of St Saviour and St Martin. Another semantic term used for smaller settlements arevilles (different in meaning from the term with the same name meaning 'Town') such asLa Ville au Bas in St. Lawrence.
Housing costs in Jersey are very high. The Jersey House Price Index has at least doubled between 2002 and 2020. The mix-adjusted house price for Jersey is £567,000, higher than any UK region (UK average: £249,000) including London (average: £497,000; highest of any UK region).[26]
Land use is tightly controlled in Jersey, especially due to the high density population. The Planning Team of theCustomer and Local Services Department manages planning applications, but approval is granted by the Planning Committee, made of States Members.
The governing development plan for the island is the Island Plan, last published in 2011 and voted on by theStates Assembly. The plan decides the overall vision for development on the island as well as issuing baseline planning guidance. The current Island Plan was issued in 2011 and revised in 2014. In 2021, the Island Plan is under review, with a bridging Island Plan expected to be in place from 2022.[27]
The Revised 2011 Island Plan[28] is centred of three simple concepts of countryside protection, the wise use of resources and urban regeneration. It aims to meet most development needs in the existing built-up areas, especially the town ofSt Helier.[29]
Jersey has a singlenational park known as the Coastal National Park, formed of a number of separate areas. The park includes St Ouen's Bay, Gorey Common, the north and south-west coast and certain valleys such as St Catherine's Woods. It also includes the offshore reefs part of the Bailiwick. In the national park, most forms of development are not permitted.[30]
Jersey has agreen belt policy known as the Green Zone. This consists of most rural areas on the island except the national park. There is a general presumption against development in the zone. According to the plan the policy has "vigorous" public support.[31]
The Bailiwick of Jersey is a BritishCrown Dependency. It is self-governing with its own legislature, theStates Assembly, andgovernment. It is sovereign territory of the Crown and not part of the United Kingdom, however the UK is internationally responsible for Jersey. The Jersey government is "with some important caveats, content with their relationship with the Ministry of Justice".[32]:para 13
Jersey is part of theBritish-Irish Council, which is formed of the national governments of each of the countries and dependencies in the British Isles.[33] Jersey is neither a member of theUnited Nations nor theEuropean Union.
The island is divided into twelve administrative regions, known asparishes, the largest of which isSt Ouen and the smallest of which isSt Clement.
Jersey has a highly developed economy driven by international financial and legal services, which accounted for 40.4% of total GVA in 2023.[34] Its gross national income per capita is among the highest in the world.[35][36] The island has been criticised by some as a tax haven as it attracts deposits from customers outside the island seeking lower taxes. However, the Jersey financial sector disputes this claim.[37] Other important sectors to the Jersey economy include construction, retail and wholesale, agriculture and tourism.
In terms of snowfall accumulations, there is the potential for 3–5cm on higher ground, grass, fields and smaller lanes, with 1–2cm expected at sea level.
... any accumulations of sleet or snow are expected to be minimal, and not more than 0.5cm in Jersey