Guernsey

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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 that Germany occupied in World War II. 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. The Bailiwick is a self-governing British Crown dependency that is not part of the UK. However, the UK Government is constitutionally responsible for its defense and international representation.

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Western Europe, islands in the English Channel, northwest of France

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49 28 N, 2 35 W

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Europe

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<strong>note:</strong> includes Alderney, Guernsey, Herm, Sark, and some other smaller islands

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about one-half the size of Washington, D.C.

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50 km

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

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mostly flat with low hills in southwest

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cropland

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NA

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very large tidal variation and fast currents can make local waters dangerous

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large, deepwater harbor at Saint Peter Port

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Guernsey 53.5%, UK and Ireland 23.8%, Portugal 2.1%, Latvia 1.4%, other Europe 2.7%, other Crown Dependencies 0.7%, other 5.3%, unspecified 10.5% (2022 est.)

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<strong>note:</strong> data represent population by country of birth; the native population is of British and Norman-French descent

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English, French, Norman-French dialect spoken in country districts

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Protestant (Anglican, Presbyterian, Baptist, Congregational, Methodist), Roman Catholic

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0.19% (2025 est.)

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9.64 births/1,000 population (2025 est.)

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9.19 deaths/1,000 population (2025 est.)

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1.47 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2025 est.)

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<strong>note:</strong> data include Guernsey and Jersey

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16,000 SAINT PETER PORT (capital) (2018)

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1.59 children born/woman (2025 est.)

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0.78 (2025 est.)

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coastal erosion, coastal flooding; declining biodiversity&nbsp;

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

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<strong>note:</strong> data include Guernsey and Jersey

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<strong>note:</strong> data include combined totals for Guernsey and Jersey.

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parliamentary democracy (States of Deliberation)

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British crown dependency

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no first-order administrative divisions as defined by the US government, but 10 parishes: Castel, Forest, Saint Andrew, Saint Martin, Saint Peter Port, Saint Pierre du Bois, Saint Sampson, Saint Saviour, Torteval, Vale

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<strong>note:</strong> two additional parishes for Guernsey are sometimes listed -- Saint Anne on the island of Alderney and Saint Peter on the island of Sark

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

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see United Kingdom

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16 years of age; universal

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<strong>note:</strong> the chief minister is the president of the Policy and Resources Committee and is the de facto head of government; the Policy and Resources Committee, elected by the States of Deliberation, functions as the executive; the 5 members all have equal voting rights

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<strong>note:</strong> non-voting members include the bailiff (presiding officer), attorney-general, and solicitor-general

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<strong>note:</strong> appeals beyond Guernsey courts are heard by the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council (in London)

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Forward Guernsey&nbsp;

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none (British crown dependency)

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UPU

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none (British Crown dependency)

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Liberation Day, 9 May (1945)

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<strong>description:</strong> 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 on top of the Saint George cross<br><br><strong>meaning:</strong> the red cross represents Guernsey's status as a British Crown dependency <br><br><strong>history:</strong> the gold cross is a replica of the one William the Conqueror carried at the Battle of Hastings in 1066

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Guernsey cow, donkey

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red, white, yellow

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high-income English Channel island economy; strong financial sector but stressed due to COVID-19 disruptions; manufacturing, tourism, and construction industries suffered but expected to recover; stable inflation; maintains independent taxation authority

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<b>note:</b> annual GDP % growth based on constant local currency; entry includes Jersey and Guernsey

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$12.508 billion (2023 est.)

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<b>note:</b> data in current dollars at official exchange rate; entry includes Jersey and Guernsey

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<b>note:</b> figures may not total 100% due to non-allocated consumption not captured in sector-reported data

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tomatoes, greenhouse flowers, sweet peppers, eggplant, fruit; Guernsey cattle

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tourism, banking

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1.3% (2023 est.)

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<b>note:</b> annual % change in industrial value added based on constant local currency; entry includes Jersey and Guernsey

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82,400 (2024 est.)

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<b>note:</b> number of people ages 15 or older who are employed or seeking work;entry includes Jersey and Guernsey

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<b>note:</b> % of labor force seeking employment; entry includes Jersey and Guernsey

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<b>note:</b> % of labor force ages 15-24 seeking employment

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almost entirely United Kingdom (2022)

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aircraft, photo lab equipment, clocks, ships, paintings (2022)

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top five export commodities based on value in dollars

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almost entirely United Kingdom (2022)

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ships, aircraft, refined petroleum, mineral manufactures, beverages (2022)

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<strong>note:</strong> includes Guernsey and Jersey

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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

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.gg

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2

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2 (2025)

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1 (2025)

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defense is the responsibility of the UK