Guernsey
Bailiwick of Guernsey
parliamentary democracyIndependence none (British crown dependency)
Guernsey as the 2009 edition of the CIA World Factbook published it: 98 fields, one of 36 editions from 1990 to 2025.
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Introduction
1 fieldBackground
Guernsey and the other Channel Islands represent the last remnants of the medieval Dukedom 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. Guernsey is a British crown dependency, but is not part of the UK. However, the UK Government is constitutionally responsible for its defense and international representation.
Geography
Western Europe, islands in the English Channel, northwest of France
17 fieldsPeople
21 fieldsAge structuremale left, female right · (2009 est.)
Per 1,000 population
Male · female(2009 est.)
Sex ratio
- at birth:
- 1.03 male(s)/female
- under 15 years:
- 1.03 male(s)/female
- 15-64 years:
- 0.98 male(s)/female
- 65 years and over:
- 0.74 male(s)/female
- total population:
- 0.94 male(s)/female (2009 est.)
Government
Parliamentary democracy; Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952), represented by Lieutenant Governor Sir Fabian MALBON (since 28 October 2005); Chief Minister Lyndon TROTT (since 1 May 2008)
19 fieldsCapital
- name:
- Saint Peter Port
- geographic coordinates:
- 49 27 N, 2 32 W
- time difference:
- UTC 0 (5 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)
- daylight saving time:
- +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October
Administrative divisions
none (British crown dependency); there are no first-order administrative divisions as defined by the US Government, but there are 10 parishes including Castel, Forest, Saint Andrew, Saint Martin, Saint Peter Port, Saint Pierre du Bois, Saint Sampson, Saint Saviour, Torteval, Vale
Executive branch
- chief of state:
- Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952), represented by Lieutenant Governor Sir Fabian MALBON (since 28 October 2005)
- head of government:
- Chief Minister Lyndon TROTT (since 1 May 2008)
- cabinet:
- Policy Council elected by the States of Deliberation
- elections:
- the monarch is hereditary;
- lieutenant governor appointed by the monarch;
- chief minister is elected by States of Deliberation
- election results:
- Lyndon TROTT elected chief minister, percent of vote of the States of Deliberation NA
Legislative branch
unicameral States of Deliberation (45 seats; members are elected by popular vote for four years); note - Alderney and Sark have parliaments
- elections:
- last held 23 April 2008 (next to be held in 2012)
- election results:
- percent of vote - NA; seats - all independents
Political pressure groups and leaders
Stop Traffic Endangering Pedestrian Safety or STEPS; No More Masts [Colin FALLAIZE]
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
Economy
Financial services - banking, fund management, insurance - account for about 23% of employment and about 55% of total income in this tiny, prosperous Channel Island economy.
25 fieldsGDP - composition by sector(2000)
Economy - overview
Financial services - banking, fund management, insurance - account for about 23% of employment and about 55% of total income in this tiny, prosperous Channel Island economy. Tourism, manufacturing, and horticulture, mainly tomatoes and cut flowers, have been declining. Financial services, construction, retail, and the public sector have been growing.
Light tax and death duties make Guernsey a popular tax haven. The evolving economic integration of the EU nations is changing the environment under which Guernsey operates.
Exchange rates
Guernsey pound 0.5302 (2008 est.), 0.4993 (2007), 0.5418 (2006), 0.5493 (2005), 0.5462 (2004) note: the Guernsey pound is at par with the British pound
Communications
8 fieldsTelephone system
- general assessment:
- NA
- domestic:
- fixed-line and mobile-cellular services widely available; combined fixed and mobile-cellular density exceeds 100 per 100 persons
- international:
- 1 submarine cable
Transportation
3 fieldsAirports by runway lengthpaved only
Military
3 fieldsTransnational Issues
1 fieldCite this entry
Central Intelligence Agency. “Guernsey.” The World Factbook 2009. Archived by The Factbook, thefactbook.org/guernsey/2009.