The Bailiwick of Guernsey is situated in the Western Europe, in the English Channel and to the northwest of France and off the coast of Normandy. Apart from the main inland Guernsey, the island nation comprises many islands. The Bailiwick of Guernsey and the Bailiwick of Jersey together form the Channel Islands. It is a British Crown dependency but not a part of United Kingdom. The capital of the island is St Peter Port.
HISTORY:- Around 6000 B.C, Neolithic farmer group settled in the island. Later the Britons occupied the island. In 933, Guernsey came under control of the Duchy of Normandy from the Duchy of Brittany. Guernsey became an English Crown colony with the Norman conquest in 1066. During the Middle Ages, the islands were captured by the French pirates. In 1372, Guernsey was invaded by Aragonese mercenaries. During the World War I, Guernsey’s inhabitants served in the British Army. During the World War II, Germany occupied the island.
GEOGRAPHY:- Guernsey is located at 49 28 N, 2 35 W in the Western Europe. The island occupies total 78 sq km area on the surface of the world. The island is situated in the English Channel. The territory of the island includes other islands like Alderney, Sark, Herm, Jethou, Brecqhou, Burhou, Lihou and other islets. The total coastline is 50 km long bordering the English Channel. The lowest point of the island is located at the Atlantic Ocean (0 m) level and the highest point is Le Moulin on Sark (114 m). The island is divided into two geographical regions- locally known as the Haut Pas and the Bas Pas. The Haut Pas is the high plateau in the south of the island and the Bas Pas is the low and sandy region in the north of the island.
CLIMATE:- The climate of Guernsey is mostly temperate with mild winters and cool summers. About 50% of days of a year are overcast in the island.
GOVERNMENT:- The island of Guernsey enjoys the status British crown dependency without being a part of the United Kingdom. The legal system is based on the laws of United Kingdom. The three major branches of the government are:
Executive branch comprises the Queen (chief of state), the chief minister (head of government), and the cabinet. The Queen is represented by the Lieutenant Governor. The chief minister is elected by the States of Deliberation. The States of Deliberation also elects the cabinet. Officially the Lieutenant Governor resides in the Government House.
Legislative branch comprises the unicameral States of Deliberation (45 seats). In the States of Deliberation, two members from Alderney represent. There are also two non-voting members in the States of Deliberation: HM Procureur (Attorney General) and HM Comptroller (Solicitor General). HM Procureur and HM Comptroller are jointly known as the Law Officers of the British Crown.
Judicial branch comprises the Royal Court.
There is no political parties is the island. Suffrage is universal at the age of 18.
Head of state Elizabeth II, Duke of Normandy
Lt. Governor Sir Fabian Malbon
Bailiff Geoffrey Rowland
Chief Minister Lyndon Trott
ADMINISTRATIVE DIVISIONS:- The island id divided into 10 parishes: Castel, Forest, Saint Andrew, Saint Martin, Saint Peter Port, Saint Pierre du Bois, Saint Sampson, Saint Saviour, Torteval and Vale.
CULTURE:- Victor Hugo is a worldwide prominent writer of the island. Another notable writer is GB Edwards. The Guernsey cow is famous globally for its rich creamy milk.
ECONOMY:- The economy of the island is small, compact and developed. The backbones of the economy of Guernsey- banking, fund management and insurance provide 23% of the total employment and 55% of the total income.
GDP (official exchange rate): $2.742 billion (2005)
GDP - real growth rate:3% (2005 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP): $44,600 (2005)
Labor force: 31,470 (March 2006)
Unemployment rate: 0.9% (March 2006 est.)
Budget:
Revenues: $563.6 million
Expenditures: $530.9 million (2005)
Agriculture - products: Tomatoes, greenhouse flowers, sweet peppers, eggplant, fruit; Guernsey cattle
Industries: Tourism, banking
Exports: $NA
Exports – commodities: Tomatoes, flowers and ferns, sweet peppers, eggplant, other vegetables
Exports - partners: UK; note - regarded as internal trade (2006)
Imports: $NA
Imports - commodities: Coal, gasoline, oil, machinery and equipment
Imports - partners: UK; note - regarded as internal trade (2006)
Currency: Guernsey pound
LANGUAGE:- English is the predominant language while French is the legislative language. Other recognized regional languages are Guernésiais, Sercquiais.
CITIES:- The capital of Guernsey is Peter Port.
POPULATION:- The population is estimated 65,573 with a growth rate of 0.2%.
Density per sq mi: 875
Literacy rate: N.A
RACE:- UK and Norman-French descent with small percentages from other European countries reside in the island nation.
RELIGION:- The prime religions are Anglican, Roman Catholic, Presbyterian, Baptist, Congregational, Methodist.
HEALTH:-
Birth rate: 8.57 births/1,000 population (2008 est.)
Death rate: 10.09 deaths/1,000 population (2008 est.)
Infant mortality rate: total: 4.53 deaths/1,000 live births
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 80.65 years
Total fertility rate: 1.4 children born/woman (2008 est.)
HIV/AIDS - deaths: N.A
TRANSPORTATION:-
Ports and terminals: Saint Peter Port, Saint Sampson
Airports: 2 (2007); Airports - with paved runways: total: 2.
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