Channel Islands (United Kingdom)

From World travel guide

The Channel Islands are located between the United Kingdom and France but are not part of either despite being formally dependencies of the British Crown. They have been inhabited for over 5000 years and have a long and colorful history. During WW2 they were the only part of the British Isles to be occupied and retain many military structures from this period (now abandoned).

The Islands recognize the sovereignty of Queen Elizabeth the 2nd in her other lesser known role as the Duke of Normandy. However they retain their own laws, tax system, currency, and small individual parliaments. They are not part of the European Union.

The Islands are divided between two separate Bailiwicks as follows:

• Bailiwick of Jersey
  • Jersey - largest and most developed of the islands, with the most to do.

• Bailiwick of Guernsey
  • Guernsey - smaller than Jersey and pretty, with a smaller town but less open countryside than Jersey.
  • Alderney - highest number of pubs per head of population in the Islands.
  • Sark - the last feudal society in Europe.
  • Herm - a tiny island off Guernsey where Guernsey people go for a day out.

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fr:Îles anglo-normandes