Jersey

Jersey, island (2005 est. pop. 90,800), 45 sq mi (117 sq km), in the English Channel, largest of the Channel Islands, which are dependencies of the British crown. It is 15 mi (24 km) from the Normandy coast of France and SE of Guernsey. Saint Helier, the capital, is on St. Aubin's Bay. The mild climate (plants requiring subtropical conditions grow without protection), the moderate rainfall (30-35 in./76-89 cm), and the scenery have contributed to make Jersey, like other Channel Islands, a vacation resort. The soil is generally fertile, and large quantities of vegetables (especially potatoes, tomatoes, and broccoli) and fruits are raised. Cattle raising and dairying (Jersey cattle) are also important, as is light industry. The inhabitants are mostly of Norman descent; English, French, and a Norman dialect are spoken. The Jersey Zoological Park was founded in 1959 to protect endangered animals.

State (pop., 2000: 8,414,350), eastern U.S. Lying on the Atlantic Ocean, it is bordered by New York, Delaware, and Pennsylvania. It covers 7,790 sq mi (20,176 sq km); its capital is Trenton. The Hudson River forms its northeastern boundary; the Delaware River, its western boundary. Before European colonization, the region was inhabited by Delaware Indian tribes. Although it was sighted by Giovanni Verrazzano and Henry Hudson, it was first settled by Dutch and Swedish traders. It was the site of numerous battles during the American Revolution, including one led by Gen. George Washington in 1776, after crossing the Delaware (see Battles of Trenton and Princeton). It was the third state to ratify the U.S. Constitution in 1787. Between the Revolutionary and Civil wars, it underwent tremendous industrialization, abetted by the construction of canals and, later, railways. Although known as the “Garden State,” a name influenced by its 18th-century agricultural fertility, its economy is based primarily on manufacturing, and it has many research facilities and laboratories. Tourism, led by Atlantic City, is also important. Chief cities include Newark, Jersey City, Paterson, and Elizabeth.

Learn more about New Jersey with a free trial on Britannica.com.

City (pop., 2000: 240,055), northeastern New Jersey, U.S. It lies opposite New York City. First settled by Dutch trappers (1618) and known as Paulus Hook, it was purchased from the Delaware Indians and established as a permanent settlement by 1660. In 1779, during the American Revolution, Henry Lee won a victory there over the British. Renamed Jersey City in 1820, it is a manufacturing centre.

Learn more about Jersey City with a free trial on Britannica.com.

Breed of small, short-horned dairy cattle that originated on Jersey in the English Channel. They are believed to have descended from French cattle. Jerseys are usually fawn- or cream-coulored, but darker shades are common. They were introduced in large numbers into England circa 1811 and into the U.S. in 1850. Adaptable to a wide range of conditions, the Jersey is found worldwide. Its milk is remarkably high in butterfat, and it is an important breed wherever butter is produced (including New Zealand and Denmark).

Learn more about Jersey with a free trial on Britannica.com.

See Jersey