Guernsey
Bailiwick of Guernsey
parliamentary democracyIndependence none (British crown dependency)
Guernsey as the 2012 edition of the CIA World Factbook published it: 97 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 or of the European Union. 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 and Society
21 fieldsAge structuremale left, female right · (2012 est.)
Per 1,000 population
Male · female(2012 est.)
Sex ratio
- at birth:
- 1.05 male(s)/female
- under 15 years:
- 1.08 male(s)/female
- 15-64 years:
- 1.01 male(s)/female
- 65 years and over:
- 0.81 male(s)/female
- total population:
- 0.98 male(s)/female (2011 est.)
Government
Parliamentary democracy; Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952), represented by Lieutenant Governor Air Marshall Peter WALKER (since 15 April 2011); Chief Minister Peter HARWOOD (since 1 May 2012)
21 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: Castel, Forest, Saint Andrew, Saint Martin, Saint Peter Port, Saint Pierre du Bois, Saint Sampson, Saint Saviour, Torteval, Vale
Legal system
customary legal system based on Norman customary law, and includes elements of the French Civil Code and English common law
Executive branch
- chief of state:
- Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952), represented by Lieutenant Governor Air Marshall Peter WALKER (since 15 April 2011)
- head of government:
- Chief Minister Peter HARWOOD (since 1 May 2012); Bailiff Richard COLLAS (since 23 March 2012)
- cabinet:
- Policy Council elected by the States of Deliberation; (For more information visit theWorld Leaders website)
- elections:
- the monarchy is hereditary;
- lieutenant governor and bailiff appointed by the monarch;
- chief minister elected by States of Deliberation
- election results:
- Lyndon TROTT elected chief minister, percent of vote NA
Legislative branch
- unicameral States of Deliberation (45 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms; note - there are also 10 Douzaine representatives - one from each parish, 2 representatives from Alderney and the appointed attorney general and soliciter general);
- note - Alderney and Sark have parliaments
- elections:
- last held on 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;
- 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
National anthem
- name:
- "Sarnia Cherie" (Guernsey Dear)
- lyrics/music:
- George DEIGHTON/Domencio SANTANGELO
note: adopted 1911; serves as a local anthem; as a British crown dependency, "God Save the Queen" remains official (see United Kingdom)
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.
23 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 0.6324 (2012) · 0.624 (2011) · 0.6472 (2010) · 0.6175 (2009) · 0.5302 (2008)
Communications
7 fieldsTelephone system
- general assessment:
- NA
- domestic:
- fixed-line and mobile-cellular services widely available; combined fixed and mobile-cellular teledensity exceeds 100 per 100 persons
- international:
- country code - 44; 1 submarine cable
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 (2009)
Transportation
3 fieldsAirports by runway lengthpaved only
Military
3 fieldsTransnational Issues
1 fieldCite this entry
Central Intelligence Agency. “Guernsey.” The World Factbook 2012. Archived by The Factbook, thefactbook.org/guernsey/2012.