Guernsey

Guernsey is a Channel Island and the main island of the Bailiwick of Guernsey, a self-governing Crown Dependency. Its capital is Saint Peter Port.

Find Guernsey

● Capital · Gold highlights this card’s area.
Map: Natural Earth. Boundaries show geographic context, not a position on sovereignty. Small islands may use enlarged markers.

At a glance

Capital: St. Peter Port
Languages: English & French & Guernésiais
Currency: British pound (GBP)
Population: Not availableSeparate population figures are not provided in this source.
Area: 78 km²Bailiwick coverage, including Alderney and Sark.
Status: Crown DependencySelf-governing; not part of the UK.

Guernsey in context

Europe and its surrounding regions. The dot marks St. Peter Port; the mapped territory is highlighted in gold.

Natural Earth · locator map

Geography & languages

Physical geography

Mostly flat with low hills in southwest.

Languages

Languages used in public life include English, French, Guernésiais.

Location

Western Europe, islands in the English Channel, northwest of France.

Flag

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 on top of the Saint George cross

Sources: CIA World Factbook · archived profile · UK Government · Crown Dependencies

History & status

Guernsey's connection with the English Crown survived the loss of mainland Normandy in 1204. The islands were occupied by German forces during the Second World War and liberated in 1945. The Bailiwick is a Crown Dependency with its own institutions, not part of the UK.

1204
The islands remain linked to the English Crown
1940
German occupation begins
1945
Guernsey is liberated

Sources: CIA World Factbook · archived profile · UK Government · Crown Dependencies

Economy

Main activities

Financial and professional services are important, alongside tourism, construction and retail. The economy depends heavily on external connections for goods and services. Guernsey has its own fiscal system.

Industry and production

tourism, banking

Sources: CIA World Factbook · archived profile · UK Government · Crown Dependencies

Government

Guernsey has an elected legislature, the States of Deliberation, and a committee-based system of government. The Bailiwick is a Crown Dependency, not part of the UK. Alderney and Sark have their own local institutions.

Sources: CIA World Factbook · archived profile · UK Government · Crown Dependencies

Knowledge check

Three questions about Guernsey.

QUESTION 1 OF 3

What is the constitutional status of Guernsey’s Bailiwick?

Sources & notes

Sources: CIA World Factbook · archived profile · UK Government · Crown Dependencies

Prepared 24 September 2026. World Bank series: SP.POP.TOTL (persons) and NY.GDP.MKTP.KD (constant 2015 US dollars); downloaded 24 September 2026, provider update 13 July 2026. UNDP values use the 2025 report and 2023 observation year. These are dated statistical snapshots, not live population or economic counters.

Maps use Natural Earth geographic data. Background geography, flag descriptions and selected historical facts use archived public-domain CIA World Factbook profiles, supplemented by the sources linked above. The Factbook is no longer updated; dated statistics here come from the separately named providers.