Channel Islands
Channel Islands, archipelago in the English Channel, west of the Cotentin peninsula of France, at the entrance to the Gulf of Saint-Malo, 80 miles (130 km) south of the English coast. The islands are dependencies of the British crown (and not strictly part of the United Kingdom), having been so attached since the Norman Conquest of 1066, when they formed part of the duchy of Normandy. They comprise four main islands, Jersey, Guernsey, Alderney, and Sark, with lesser islets and a labyrinth of rocks and reefs. They are administered according to local laws and customs, being grouped into two distinct bailiwicks of Guernsey and Jersey, with differing constitutions. Alderney, Sark, Herm, Jethou, Lihou, and Brecqhou are Guernsey’s dependencies, and the Ecrehous rocks and Les Minquiers are Jersey’s. The last two were the source of long-standing dispute between England and France until 1953, when the International Court of Justice confirmed British sovereignty. In the late 20th century the dispute revived, as sovereignty of these islands determines allocation of rights to economic development (specifically, petroleum) of the continental shelf.
The islands were the only British territory to endure German occupation during World War II. Anticipating invasion, some 30,000 of the islands’ then 104,000 residents evacuated before the arrival of German forces at the end of June and beginning of July 1940. The islands’ occupiers surrendered in May 1945.
Fine scenery, flowering vegetation, and a mild maritime climate have made the Channel Islands popular resort areas. The islands are famous for their breeds of cattle and for the export of fruit, flowers, tomatoes, and early potatoes. They enjoy tax sovereignty, and their exports are protected by British tariff barriers. English and French are commonly spoken (though use of the latter is declining), and a Norman-French patois survives. St. Helier, on Jersey, and St. Peter Port, on Guernsey, are the islands’ main population centres. Area 75 square miles (194 square km). Pop. (2001) 149,878.