GUERNSEY

Location

Guernsey is a British crown dependency in Western Europe and includes Alderney, Herm, Sark and some other smaller islands. The country of Guernsey is located to the northwest of France, in the islands of the English Channel. Its geographic coordinates are 49 28 N, 2 35 W.

Geography

The island of Guernsey is approximately 78 square kilometers. It is about half the size of Washington D.C. The terrain is mostly level, but it becomes slightly hilly in the southwest. There is a large, deepwater harbor at St. Peter Port.

Climate

The climate is temperate with mild winters and cool summers. Approximately 50% of days are overcast.

History

Guernsey became a dependency of the English (British) Crown in 1066. The Island of Guernsey along with the other Channel Islands, signify the last remnants of the medieval Dukedom of Normandy. These same islands were occupied by Germany in WWII. It was the only British soil that was occupied during the war.

Important Dates

An important national holiday in Guernsey is May 9 (1945), which is Liberation Day. Guernsey's Ale and Food Festival will take place between the 3rd and 18th of September 2005.

Population

The population of Guernsey is 65,031 as of July 2004, with approximately 66.7% of the population falling between the ages of 15 to 64 years. Most of the people are from United Kingdom and Norman-French descent, although there are small percentages from other European countries.

Currency

The general currency used is the British pound, but there is also a Guernsey pound. The Guernsey pound is equal to a British pound. The Guernsey pound, as of 2002, was equal to 0.6661 of the U.S. dollar.

Education

Education in Guernsey is very similar to that of the U.K. A Major difference is that Guernsey still operates the 11-Plus system, with pupils who achieve a particular grade earning scholarships to the island's grammar school or one of the colleges. There are no universities in Guernsey. Those who wish to continue their studies must leave the island.

Language

English and French are spoken throughout Guernsey with a Norman-French dialect in many country districts.

Religion

Anglican, Roman Catholic, Presbyterian, Baptist, Congregational, and Methodist religions are all recognized in this country.

Agriculture

Guernsey has good land for the use of agriculture. Some of the crops they produce are tomatoes, greenhouse flowers, sweet peppers, eggplant, and fruits. Guernsey cattle are another agriculture product that is produced in this country.

Trade

Guernsey exports a lot of their agricultural products such as, tomatoes, flowers and ferns, sweet peppers, eggplant, and other vegetables. They import coal, gasoline, oil, and machinery and equipment. They trade mostly with the United Kingdom. It is considered internal trading.

Food

In Guernsey, they take advantage of having excellent dairy products produced by the Guernsey cattle that originated there. They consume many of the vegetable crops that they raise. They enjoy lamb that is raised on the islands, and take advantage of being an island and consume a lot of seafood. Some foods that they enjoy are: crab sandwiches, Guernsey cream teas, towering 12-egg sponge cakes, French bread, cheeses, local tomatoes, paté, wine, fresh fish, chips and chilled local cider.

Landmarks

Some of the landmarks in Guernsey include: St. Peter's Port, Pleinmont Point, Rocquaine Bay, and Castle Cary.

Laure Demczyk