Guernsey | |
|---|---|
| Anthem: "Sarnia Cherie" | |
       Location of Guernsey (circled) in the Bailiwick of Guernsey (red) | |
 Map of Guernsey within the Bailiwick | |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Crown Dependency | Bailiwick of Guernsey |
| Separation from the Duchy of Normandy | 1204 |
| Capital and largest city | Saint Peter Port 49°27′36″N 2°32′7″W / 49.46000°N 2.53528°W |
| Official languages | |
| Recognised regional languages | |
| Ethnic groups | |
| Demonym(s) |
|
| Government | Parliamentary constitutional monarchy |
| Charles III | |
| Richard Cripwell | |
• Bailiff | Sir Richard McMahon |
| Lyndon Trott | |
| Legislature | States of Guernsey |
| Area | |
• Total | 62[b][3] km2 (24 sq mi) |
• Water (%) | 0 |
| Population | |
• 2022 census | 63,950[4] (207th) |
• Density | 965/km2 (2,499.3/sq mi) |
| GDP (PPP) | 2018 estimate |
• Total | £3.272 billion[5] |
• Per capita | £52,531[5] |
| Currency | Guernsey pound[c] Pound sterling (£) (GBP) |
| Time zone | UTC+00:00 (GMT) |
• Summer (DST) | UTC+01:00 (BST) |
| Date format | dd/mm/yyyy |
| Driving side | left |
| Calling code | +44 |
| UK postcode | |
| ISO 3166 code | GG |
| Internet TLD | .gg |
Guernsey (/ˈɡɜːrnzi/ GURN-zee; Guernésiais: Guernési; French: Guernesey) is the second-largest island in the Channel Islands, located 27 miles (43 km) west of the Cotentin Peninsula, Normandy. It is the largest island in the Bailiwick of Guernsey, which includes five other inhabited islands – Alderney, Herm, Jethou, Lihou and Sark – and many small islets and rocks. The bailiwick has a population of 63,950,[4] the vast majority of whom live on Guernsey, and the island has a land area of 24 square miles (62 km2).[6]
Guernsey was part of the Duchy of Normandy until 1204, when the Channel Islands remained loyal to the English crown, splitting from mainland Normandy. In 1290, the Channel Islands were divided administratively and Guernsey became part of the Bailiwick of Guernsey. During the Second World War, Guernsey was invaded and occupied by Nazi Germany. After five years of occupation, the island was liberated on 9 May 1945, that date being celebrated annually as Liberation Day.
Guernsey is administered as part of the Bailiwick of Guernsey, a self-governing dependency of the British Crown. The island is thus not part of the United Kingdom, although the UK government has certain responsibilities for the Bailiwick. The British monarch is the head of state[7] and the head of government is the President of the Policy and Resources Committee. The jurisdiction's parliament and government is the States of Guernsey. The island is divided into ten parishes. It has one town, called Saint Peter Port. The government variously defines the position of the King of England as "Head of State" or "successor to the Duke of Normandy.[8] Although no document explicitly defines the Head of State as a "monarch", or the islands as a monarchy, all documents refer to the king by royal titles.
Guernsey's largest industry is financial services, followed by tourism and agriculture. The island is particularly well known for its cattle. Guernsey's culture is strongly influenced by Britain, evident in its use of the pound sterling and the status of English as the primary native language. Norman and French culture also have an impact, such as the island's traditional language, Guernésiais. In addition, French writer Victor Hugo spent fifteen years in exile in Guernsey, where he wrote some of his best-known works.[9]
Cite error: There are <ref group=lower-alpha> tags or {{efn}} templates on this page, but the references will not show without a {{reflist|group=lower-alpha}} template or {{notelist}} template (see the help page).
- ^ The Queen: Elizabeth II and the Monarchy, p. 314, at Google Books
- ^ The Channel Islands, p. 11, at Google Books
- ^ Guernsey Facts and Figures, States of Guernsey, Data and Analysis, 2019
- ^ a b Guernsey Quarterly Population, Employment and Earnings Bulletin, 2 May 2023
- ^ a b "Guernsey Annual GVA and GDP Bulletin - 2018". gov.gg. States of Guernsey. 15 August 2019. Retrieved 29 March 2020.
- ^ Cite error: The named reference
gov.gg taxwas invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ House of Commons Justice Committee (30 March 2010). Crown dependencies. 8th Report of Session 2009–10 (HC 56-1 ed.). The Stationery Office Ltd. ISBN 978-0-215-55334-8.
- ^ "Information on the location of the islands and their constitution". States of Guernsey. Retrieved 13 August 2024.
- ^ Cooper 2006, p. 19