Jersey

Jersey officially the Bailiwick of Jersey is a Crown Dependency of the United Kingdom located near the coast of Normandy, France. Jersey was part of the Duchy of Normandy, whose Dukes went on to become kings of England from 1066. When Normandy was defeated in the 13th century by the Kings of England, and the title of ducal surrendered to France, Jersey and the other Channel Islands remained attached to the crown of  English.

Origin of the name

The Channel Islands are mentioned in the Antonine Itinerary as the following: Andium, Sarnia,  Caesarea,  Silia, and Barsa, but Jersey cannot be identified specifically because none corresponds directly to the present names.The name Caesarea has been used as the Latin name for Jersey (in French Césarée) since William Camden's Britannia and is used in titles of associations and institutions today. 

History of Jersey is influenced by its tactical location between France’s north coast and the England’s south coast; the island's recorded history extends over several years. There is a Palaeolithic site known as La Cotte de St Brelade that was occupied before rising sea levels; it turned Jersey into an island. Jersey was a centre of all Neolithic activities, as it is proven by the concentration of dolmens.

Politics

The States building in St. Helier

Jersey has a unicameral legislature of the States of Jersey. It includes 51 elected members: 10 senators (elected on an island-wide basis), 12 Connétables (also called as 'constables', heads of parishes) and 29 deputies (representing constituencies), all elected for four-year terms as from the October 2011 elections. There are five nonvoting members appointed by the Crown: the Bailiff, the Dean of Jersey, the Attorney General, the Lieutenant Governor of Jersey,  and Solicitor General.

International identity

In 2007, the UK Lord Chancellor and the Chief Minister signed an agreement that established a framework for the development of the international identity of Jersey.

In 2011, the Chief Minister selected one of his assistant ministers to take responsibility for external relations; presently he is known as the island's 'foreign minister'.