Background: The island of 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.

Land boundaries: none

Coastline: 50 km

Maritime claims
Continental shelf: 200 meters or to depth of exploitation
Exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm
Territorial sea: 3 nm

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

Terrain: mostly level with low hills in southwest

Natural resources: cropland

Land use: NA% arable land; NA% permanent crops; NA% meadows and pastures; NA% forest and woodland; NA% other; about 50% cultivated

Geography
Note: defense is the responsibility of the UK

Population: 56,844 (July 1989), growth rate 0.7% (1989)

Nationality: noun - Channel Islander(s; adjective - Channel Islander

Ethnic groups: UK and Norman-French descent

Languages: English, French; Norman-French dialect spoken in country districts

Religions: Anglican, Roman Catholic, Presbyterian, Baptist, Congregational, Methodist

Birth rate: 12 births/1000 population (1989)

Death rate: 11 deaths/1000 population (1989)

Net migration rate: 6 migrants/1000 population (1989)

Environment
Current issues: large, deepwater harbor at St. Peter Port

Infant mortality rate: 6 deaths/1000 live births (1989)

Life expectancy at birth: 72 years male, 78 years female (1989)

Total fertility rate: 1.6 children born/woman (1989)

Literacy: NA%, but universal education

Country name: conventional long form: Bailiwick of Guernsey

Government type: crown dependency of the UK

Capital: St. Peter Port

Administrative divisions: none (crown dependency of the UK)

Independence: none (crown dependency of the UK)

National holiday: Liberation Day, 9 May (1945)

Constitution: unwritten; partly statutes, partly common law and practice

Legal system: English law and local statute; justice is administered by the Royal Court

Suffrage: universal at age 18

Executive branch: Chief of State - Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952; Head of Government - Lieutenant Governor and Commander in Chief Lt. Gen. Sir Alexander BOSWELL (since 1985; Bailiff and President of the States Sir Charles FROSSARD (since 1982)

Legislative branch: the lieutenant governor and commander in chief is the personal representative of the crown and is entitled to sit and speak in the States of Deliberation (parliament; parliament is composed of the bailiff (president ex officio), 12 conseillers, 2 nonvoting law officers of the crown, 33 popularly elected people's deputies, 10 douzaine representatives, 2 representatives of the States of Alderney; States of Election (electoral college) elects jurats and conseillers - it is composed of the bailiff, 12 jurats, 12 conseillers, 2 law officers, 33 people's deputies, 34 douzaine representatives, and 4 Alderney representatives (for election of conseillers only; Alderney has its own popularly elected president and states (12 members) and its own court; Sark has mixture of feudal and popular government

Diplomatic representation
In the us: none (crown dependency of the UK)

Flag description: white with the red cross of St. George (patron saint of England) extending to the edges of the flag

Economy overview: Tourism is a major source of revenue. Other economic activity includes breeding the world-famous Guernsey cattle and raising tomatoes and flowers for export.

Agriculture products: tomatoes, flowers (mostly grown in greenhouses), sweet peppers, eggplant, other vegetables and fruit; Guernsey cattle

Industries: tourism, banking

Industrial production growth rate: NA%

Labor force: NA

Unemployment rate: NA%

Budget: revenues $145.0 million; expenditures $117.2 million, including capital expenditures of NA (1985)

Fiscal year: calendar year

Exports: $NA
Commodities: tomatoes, flowers and ferns, sweet peppers, eggplant, other vegetables
Partners: UK (regarded as internal trade)

Imports: $NA
Commodities: coal, gasoline and oil
Partners: UK (regarded as internal trade)

Debt external: $NA

Exchange rates: Guernsey pounds (LG) per US$1 - 0.5631 (January 1989), 0.5614 (1988), 0.6102 (1987), 0.6817 (1986), 0.7714 (1985; the Guernsey pound is at par with the British pound

Electricity
Capacity: 173,000 kW capacity; 520 million kWh produced, 9,200 kWh per capita (1988)