world
factbook
Guernsey
Guernsey and the other Channel Islands represent the last remnants of the medieval Duchy of Normandy, which held sway in both France and England. The islands were the only British soil occupied by German troops in World War II. The Bailiwick of Guernsey is a self-governing British Crown dependency that is not part of the United Kingdom. However, the UK Government is constitutionally responsible for its defense and international representation. The Bailiwick of Guernsey consists of the main island of Guernsey and a number of smaller islands including Alderney, Sark, Herm, Jethou, Brecqhou, and Lihou.

geography

location

Europe
49.28° N, 2. 35° W
Western Europe, islands in the English Channel, northwest of France

area

78 sq km
land
78 sq km
water
0 sq km

land boundaries

0 km

coastline

50 km

climate

temperate with mild winters and cool summers; about 50% of days are overcast

terrain

mostly flat with low hills in southwest

elevation

lowest point
English Channel
0
highest point
Le Moulin on Sark
114

natural resources

  • cropland

people

population

  • 67,052
  • 204
    global rank

nationality

  • Channel Islander(s)
    noun
  • Channel Islander
    adjective

ethnic groups

Guernsey
52 %
UK and Ireland
23.7 %
Portugal
2.1 %
Latvia
1.5 %
other
6.7 %
unspecified
14.1 %

languages

  • English
  • French

religions

  • Protestant
  • Roman Catholic

birth rate

  • 9.8
    per 1,000 population
  • 193
    global rank

death rate

  • 9.2
    per 1,000 population
  • 55
    global rank

urban population

31 %

major urban areas

  • Saint Peter Port
    pop. 16,000

life expectancy

  • 82.8
    total population
  • 11
    global rank
80.1
male
85.7
female

government

government type

parliamentary democracy (States of Deliberation)

capital

Saint Peter Port
49.27 N, 2.32 W

independence

national holidays

  • Liberation Day
    9 May

legal system

customary legal system based on Norman customary law; includes elements of the French civil code and English common law

age of suffrage

16

flag description

white with the red cross of Saint George (patron saint of England) extending to the edges of the flag and a yellow equal-armed cross of William the Conqueror superimposed on the Saint George cross; the red cross represents the old ties with England and the fact that Guernsey is a British Crown dependency; the gold cross is a replica of the one used by Duke William of Normandy at the Battle of Hastings in 1066

national colors

  • red
  • white
  • yellow

national anthem

"Sarnia Cherie" (Guernsey Dear)

economy

overview

Financial services accounted for about 21% of employment and about 32% of total income in 2016 in this tiny, prosperous Channel Island economy. Construction, manufacturing, and horticulture, mainly tomatoes and cut flowers, have been declining. Financial services, professional services, tourism, retail, and the public sector have been growing. Light tax and death duties make Guernsey a popular offshore financial center.

GDP

3,465,000,000 USD
2015

agriculture products

  • tomatoes
  • greenhouse flowers
  • sweet peppers
  • eggplant
  • fruit
  • Guernsey cattle

budget

  • 563,600,000
    revenue (USD)
  • 530,900,000
    expenditures (USD)

communications

telephones

    fixed lines

  • 36,547
    total subscriptions
  • 166
    global rank

    mobile cellular

  • 71,249
    total subscriptions
  • 199
    global rank

broadcast media

multiple UK terrestrial TV broadcasts are received via a transmitter in Jersey with relays in Jersey, Guernsey, and Alderney; satellite packages are available; BBC Radio Guernsey and 1 other radio station operating

internet

.gg
country code

    users

  • 55,050
    total
  • 83.3
    % of population
  • 190
    global rank

energy

electricity access

100%
2016

transportation

air transport

    airports

  • 2
    total
  • 2
    paved

roadways

260 km
total length

military

This entry doesn't have any available military data.