- This article is about the British Crown dependencies. For the islands off Southern California, please see Channel Islands of California. The Channel Islands of California are a chain of eight islands located in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of Southern California along the Santa Barbara Channel
The Channel Islands (Norman: Îles d'la Manche, French: Îles Anglo-Normandes or Îles de la Manche) are a group of islands in the English Channel, off the French coast of Normandy. Norman is a Romance language and one of the Oïl languages. The northern Norman can be classified in the septentrional Oil languages with Picard and French ( français,) is a Romance language spoken around the world by 118 million people as a native language and by about 180 to 260 million people An island (ˈaɪlənd or isle (/ˈaɪl/ is any piece of land that is completely surrounded by water in two dimensions above high tide and isolated from other significant This article is about the country For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic France topics. Normandy (Normandie Norman: Normaundie) is a geographical region corresponding to the former Duchy of Normandy. They comprise two separate bailiwicks: the Bailiwick of Guernsey and the Bailiwick of Jersey, both British Crown dependencies, and have a total population of about 160,000. A bailiwick is the area of jurisdiction of a Bailiff. The term was also applied to a territory in which the Sheriff 's functions were exercised by a privately appointed The Bailiwick of Guernsey (Bailliage de Guernesey is a British Crown dependency in the English Channel off the coast of Normandy. The Bailiwick of Jersey ( Jèrriais: Jèrri) is a British Crown dependency off the coast of Normandy, France. The Crown Dependencies are possessions of The Crown in Right of the United Kingdom, as opposed to overseas territories or colonies of the United The respective capitals, St. Peter Port and St. Helier have populations of 16,488 and 28,310. St Peter Port is the Capital of Guernsey, as well as the main Port of the island Saint Helier ( French language: Saint-Hélier, Jèrriais: St Hélyi) is one of the twelve parishes of Jersey, the largest The Channel Islands are not part of the UK. The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom, the UK or Britain,is a Sovereign state located
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Geography
The inhabited islands of the Channel Islands are Jersey, Guernsey, Alderney, Sark, Herm (the main islands); Jethou, Brecqhou (Brechou), and Lihou. The Bailiwick of Jersey ( Jèrriais: Jèrri) is a British Crown dependency off the coast of Normandy, France. The Bailiwick of Guernsey (Bailliage de Guernesey is a British Crown dependency in the English Channel off the coast of Normandy. Alderney ( French: Aurigny; Auregnais: Aoeur'gny) is the most northerly of the Channel Islands and a British Crown dependency Sark (Sercq Sercquiais: Sèr) is a small Island in the southwestern English Channel. Herm ( Guernésiais: Haerme) is the smallest of the Channel Islands that is open to the public Jethou (ˈdʒɛthuː is a small island that is part of the Channel Islands. Brecqhou (or Brechou; pronounced ˈbʁɛku is one of the Channel Islands, located at about, just west of Sark. Not to be confused with Lihou Reef and Cays Lihou /'liu/ is a small Tidal island (95 Vergées 38½ Acres 15
All of these except Jersey are in the Bailiwick of Guernsey, but the Minquiers, Écréhous, Les Dirouilles and Les Pierres de Lecq (the Paternosters), uninhabited groups of islets, are part of the Bailiwick of Jersey. The Minquiers ( Les Minquiers; in Jèrriais: Les Mîntchièrs; nicknamed "the Minkies" in local English are a group of Islands and The Écréhous (or Les Écréhous; in Jèrriais: Êcrého) are a groups of Islands and rocks situated six miles north-east of Jersey Les Dirouilles ( Jèrriais: Les Dithouïl'yes are a range of rocks to the North-East of Jersey. Les Pierres de Lecq ( Jèrriais: Les Pièrres dé Lé) or the Paternosters are a group of uninhabitable rocks or a reef in the Bailiwick of Jersey Burhou and the Casquets lie off Alderney. Burhou (pronounced bu-ROO is a tiny Island approximately 14 miles (2 Origin of name Theories as to the origin of the name include derivation from the French 'cascade' which alludes to the tidal surges which flow As a general rule, the larger islands have the -ey suffix, and the smaller ones have the -hou suffix; this is believed to be from the Old Norse ey and holmr, respectively. Old Norse is the North Germanic language that was spoken by inhabitants of Scandinavia and inhabitants of their overseas settlements during the Viking Age
The Chausey Islands south of Jersey are not generally included in the geographical definition of the Channel Islands but occasionally described as 'French Channel Islands' in English in view of their French jurisdiction. Chausey is a group of small Islands islets and rocks that forms part of the Channel Islands from a geographical point of view but because it is under French They were historically linked to the Duchy of Normandy, but they are part of the French territory along with continental Normandy, and not part of the British Isles or of the Channel Islands in a political sense. The British Isles (Irish variously Na hOileáin Bhriotanacha, Oileáin Iarthair Eorpa, Éire agus an Bhreatain Mhór; Ellanyn Goaldagh Eileanan They are an incorporated part of the commune of Granville (Manche), and although popular with visitors from France, they are rarely visited by Channel Islanders, as there are no direct transport links from the other islands. Manche is a French department in Normandy named after La Manche ("the sleeve" which is the French name for the English
In official Channel Island French (see Jersey Legal French), the islands are called 'Îles de la Manche', while in France, the term 'Îles anglo-normandes' (Anglo-Norman isles) is used to refer to the British 'Channel Islands' in contrast to other islands in the Channel. Jersey Legal French, also known as Jersey French, is the official dialect of French used administratively in Jersey. Chausey is referred to as an 'Île normande' (as opposed to anglo-normande). 'Îles Normandes' and 'Archipel Normand' have also, historically, been used in Channel Island French to refer to the islands as a whole.
The very large tidal variation provides an environmentally rich inter-tidal zone around the islands, and some sites have received Ramsar Convention designation (see Category:Ramsar sites in the Channel Islands). The Ramsar Convention is an international Treaty for the conservation and sustainable utilization of Wetlands i
The waters around the islands include the following:
- The Swinge (between Alderney and Burhou)
- The Little Swinge (between Burhou and Les Nannels)
- La Déroute (between Jersey and Sark, and Jersey and the Cotentin)
- Le Raz Blanchard, or Race of Alderney (between Alderney and the Cotentin)
- The Great Russel (between Sark, Jéthou and Herm)
- The Little Russel (between Guernsey, Herm and Jéthou)
- Souachehouais (between Le Rigdon and L'Étacq, Jersey)
- Le Gouliot (between Sark and Brecqhou)
- La Percée (between Herm and Jéthou)
History
The islands were annexed to the Duchy of Normandy in 933. The Swinge is the strait between Alderney and Burhou in the Channel Islands. The Big/Great Roussel, Big Russel or Grand Ruau is the channel running between Herm on the west and Brecqhou, and Sark The Little Roussel, also known as the Petit Ruau or Little Russel, is a channel running between the isle of Herm and Guernsey The island of Jersey and the other Channel Islands represent the last remnants of the medieval Duchy of Normandy that held sway in both France and The Bailiwick of Guernsey (Bailliage de Guernesey is a British Crown dependency in the English Channel off the coast of Normandy. The Occupation of the Channel Islands refers to the Military occupation of the Channel Islands by Germany during World War II which lasted The Channel Islands have had a number of Windmills over the centuries The Duchy of Normandy stems from various Danish, Hiberno-Norse, Orkney Viking and Anglo-Danish ( from the Danelaw) invasions of In 1066, William II of Normandy, a vassal to the king of France, invaded and conquered England, becoming William I of England, also known as William the Conqueror. William I of England ( 1027 His reign which brought Norman culture to England had an enormous impact on the subsequent course of England in the Middle Ages England is a Country which is part of the United Kingdom. Its inhabitants account for more than 83% of the total UK population whilst its mainland Since 1204, the loss of the rest of the monarch's lands in mainland Normandy has meant that the Channel Islands have been governed as separate possessions of the Crown. Throughout the Commonwealth realms The Crown is an abstract metonymic concept which represents the legal authority for the existence of any government
The Bailiwicks have been administered separately from each other since the late 13th century, and although those unacquainted with the islands often assume they form one political unit, common institutions are the exception rather than the rule. The two Bailiwicks have no common laws, no common elections, and no common representative body (although their politicians consult regularly). There is no common newspaper or radio station, but a common television station, ITV Channel Television. Channel Television is a British television station which has served as an Independent Television (ITV contractor to the Channel Islands since 1962
The islands acquired commercial and political interests in the North American colonies. Islanders became involved with the Newfoundland fisheries in the 17th century. Newfoundland — ˈn(jufənˌlænd (Terre-Neuve Talamh an Éisc — is a large island 15 km off the east coast of In recognition for all the help given to him during his exile in Jersey in the 1640s, Charles II gave George Carteret, Bailiff and governor, a large grant of land in the American colonies, which he promptly named New Jersey, now part of the United States of America. Charles II (Charles Stuart 29 May 1630 – 6 February 1685 was the King of England, Scotland, and Ireland. New Jersey ( is a state in the Mid-Atlantic and Northeastern regions of the United States. The United States of America —commonly referred to as the Edmund Andros of Guernsey was an early colonial governor in North America, and head of the short-lived Dominion of New England. Sir Edmund Andros ( December 6 1637 - February 24 1714) was an early colonial Governor in North America, and head of The Dominion of New England in America (1686-1689 was a short-lived administrative union of English colonies in the New England region of North America
Over a dozen windmills are known to have existed in the Channel Isles. A windmill is a machine that is powered by the energy of the wind They were mostly tower mills used for grinding corn. Heckington Windmill 01JPG|thumb|right|180px| Heckington Windmill ]]Schiedam molen De Noord
During the Second World War, the islands were the only part of the British Commonwealth occupied by Germany. World War II, or the Second World War, (often abbreviated WWII) was a global military conflict which involved a majority of the world's nations, including The Occupation of the Channel Islands refers to the Military occupation of the Channel Islands by Germany during World War II which lasted The German occupation 1940–1945 was harsh, with some island residents being taken for slave labour on the continent; native Jews sent to concentration camps; partisan resistance and retribution; accusations of collaboration; and slave labour (primarily Russians and eastern Europeans) being brought to the islands to build fortifications. Unfree labour is a generic or collective term for those work relations especially in modern or early modern history in which people are employed against their will PLEASE TAKE NOTE************ Internment is the imprisonment or confinement of people commonly in large groups without trial A partisan is a member of an Irregular military force formed to oppose control of an area by a foreign power or by an army of occupation Collaborationism, can describe the Treason of cooperating with enemy Forces occupying one's Country. Russia (Россия Rossiya) or the Russian Federation ( Rossiyskaya Federatsiya) is a transcontinental Country extending Fortifications are Military Constructions and Buildings designed for defense in Warfare Humans have constructed defensive works for The Royal Navy blockaded the islands from time to time, particularly following the liberation of mainland Normandy in 1944. The Royal Navy of the United Kingdom is the oldest of the British armed services (and is therefore known as the Senior Service) A blockade is any effort to prevent supplies Troops information or aid from reaching an opposing force Intense negotiations resulted in some Red Cross humanitarian aid, but there was considerable hunger and privation during the five years of German occupation, particularly in the final months when the population was close to starvation. The International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement is an International humanitarian movement with approximately 97 million volunteers worldwide who stated Germany, officially the Federal Republic of Germany ( ˈbʊndəsʁepuˌbliːk ˈdɔʏtʃlant is a Country in Central Europe. The German troops on the islands surrendered only a few days after the final surrender in mainland Europe.
Politics
The Channel Islands fall into two separate self-governing bailiwicks. Politics of the Bailiwick of Jersey takes place in a framework of a parliamentary representative democratic British Crown Dependency whereby Politics of Guernsey takes place in a framework of a parliamentary representative democratic British Crown dependency, whereby the Chief Minister A federacy is a Form of government where one or several substate units enjoy considerably more independence than the majority of the substate units Both the Bailiwick of Guernsey and the Bailiwick of Jersey are British Crown Dependencies, but neither is part of the United Kingdom. The Bailiwick of Guernsey (Bailliage de Guernesey is a British Crown dependency in the English Channel off the coast of Normandy. The Bailiwick of Jersey ( Jèrriais: Jèrri) is a British Crown dependency off the coast of Normandy, France. The British Empire was the largest empire in history and for over a century was the foremost global power. The Crown Dependencies are possessions of The Crown in Right of the United Kingdom, as opposed to overseas territories or colonies of the United The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom, the UK or Britain,is a Sovereign state located They have been part of the Duchy of Normandy since the 10th century and Queen Elizabeth II is often referred to by her traditional and conventional title of Duke of Normandy. The Duchy of Normandy stems from various Danish, Hiberno-Norse, Orkney Viking and Anglo-Danish ( from the Danelaw) invasions of For the ship see RMS Queen Elizabeth 2 Elizabeth II (Elizabeth Alexandra Mary Context States headed by Elizabeth II Duke of Normandy is a Title held or claimed by various Norman, French, English and British rulers from the 10th century until the However, pursuant to the Treaty of Paris (1259) she is not the Duke in a constitutional capacity and instead governs in her right as Queen. The Treaty of Paris (also known as the Treaty of Albeville) was a Treaty between Louis IX of France and Henry III of England This notwithstanding, it is a matter of local pride by monarchists to treat the situation otherwise; the Loyal Toast at formal dinners is to 'The Queen, our Duke', rather than 'Her Majesty, the Queen' as in the UK. The Loyal Toast is the first toast to be given at a formal gathering by the presiding person
The Channel Islands are not represented in the UK Parliament and each island has its own primary legislature, known as the States of Guernsey and the States of Jersey, with Chief Pleas in Sark and the States of Alderney. The Parliament of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland is the supreme legislative body in the United Kingdom and British overseas territories The States of Guernsey ( French: États de Guernesey) is the Parliament of the Island of Guernsey. The States of Jersey ( French: États de Jersey) is the Parliament of Jersey. Sark (Sercq Sercquiais: Sèr) is a small Island in the southwestern English Channel. The States or the Estates signifies in different countries and Dominions the assembly of the ( feudalistic) representatives of the Estates of Alderney ( French: Aurigny; Auregnais: Aoeur'gny) is the most northerly of the Channel Islands and a British Crown dependency Laws passed by the States are given Royal Sanction by the Queen in Council, to which the islands' governments are responsible. Her Majesty's Most Honourable Privy Council is a body of advisors to the British Sovereign.
The systems of government date from Norman times, which accounts for the names of the legislatures, the States, derived from the Norman 'États' or 'estates' (i. The Normans were the people who gave their names to Normandy, a region in northern France. A legislature is a type of representative Deliberative assembly with the power to create amend and change Laws The law created by a legislature is called Legislation Norman is a Romance language and one of the Oïl languages. The northern Norman can be classified in the septentrional Oil languages with Picard and The Estates of the realm were the broad divisions of society usually distinguishing Nobility, Clergy, and Commoners recognized in the Middle Ages e. the Crown, the Church, and the people). The States have evolved over the centuries into democratic parliaments. TalkParliament#Screen-size. -->A parliament is a Legislature, especially in those
A bailiwick is a territory administered by a bailiff. The Bailiff in each bailiwick is the civil head, presiding officer of the States, and also head of the judiciary. The Bailiff is the first civil officer in each of the Channel Island Bailiwicks of Jersey and Guernsey, serving as president of the legislature In Law, the judiciary or judicial system is the system of Courts which administer Justice in the name of the sovereign or State
In 2001, responsibility for links between the Channel Islands (together with the Isle of Man) and the Crown passed from the Home Secretary to the Lord Chancellor's Department, replaced in 2003 by the Department of Constitutional Affairs. The Isle of Man (Ellan Vannin ˈɛlʲən ˈvanɪn or Mann (Mannin) is a self-governing Crown dependency, located in the Irish Sea at the geographical The Secretary of State for the Home Department, commonly known as the Home Secretary, is the minister in charge of the United Kingdom Home Office The Lord High Chancellor of Great Britain, or Lord Chancellor is a senior and important functionary in the Government of the United Kingdom. The Department for Constitutional Affairs (DCA was a United Kingdom government department.
In addition, Acts of the UK Parliament may be extended to any of the Channel Islands by Order-in-Council (thus giving the UK Government the ultimate responsibility for good governance in the islands). The terms Governance and good governance are increasingly being used in development literature By constitutional convention this is only done at the request of the Insular Authorities, and has become a rare option, the islands usually preferring nowadays to pass localised versions of laws giving effect to international treaties.
Matters reserved to the Crown (i. e. the United Kingdom Government) are limited to defence, citizenship, and diplomatic representation. The islands are not bound by treaties concluded by the United Kingdom (unless they so request) and may separately conclude treaties with foreign governments (except concerning matters reserved to the Crown). The United Kingdom conceded at the end of the 20th century that the islands may establish direct political (non-diplomatic) contacts with foreign governments to avoid the situation whereby British embassies were obliged to pass on communications from the governments of the Bailiwicks that were in conflict with United Kingdom government policy.
The islands are not part of the European Union, but are part of the Customs Territory of the European Community, by virtue of Protocol Three to the Treaty on European Union. The European Union ( EU) is a political and economic union of twenty-seven member states, located primarily in The European Community (EC is one of the Three pillars of the European Union (EU created under the Maastricht Treaty (1992 The Maastricht Treaty (formally the Treaty on European Union, TEU) was signed on 7 February 1992 in Maastricht, the Netherlands after final
Islanders are full British citizens, but not all are European citizens. Any British citizen who applies for a passport in Jersey or Guernsey receives a passport bearing the words 'British Islands, Bailiwick of Jersey' or 'British Islands, Bailiwick of Guernsey'. The term British Islands is used in the law of the United Kingdom to refer collectively to the following four states the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Under the provisions of Protocol Three, Channel Islanders who do not have a close connection with the UK (no parent or grandparent from the UK, and have never been resident in Great Britain or Northern Ireland for any five-year period) do not automatically benefit from the EU provisions on free movement within the EU and consequently their passports receive an endorsement to that effect. This only affects a minority of islanders.
Under the Interpretation Act 1978, the Channel Islands are deemed to be part of the British Islands, not to be confused with the British Isles. The British Isles (Irish variously Na hOileáin Bhriotanacha, Oileáin Iarthair Eorpa, Éire agus an Bhreatain Mhór; Ellanyn Goaldagh Eileanan
Both Bailiwicks are members of the British-Irish Council, and Jèrriais and Dgèrnésiais are recognised regional languages of the Isles. The British-Irish Council ( BIC) (Comhairle na Breataine-na hÉireann is a body created by the Belfast Agreement in 1998 and formally established on 2 December 1999 Jèrriais is the form of the Norman language spoken in Jersey, in the Channel Islands, off the coast of France. Guernésiais, also known as Dgèrnésiais, Guernsey French, Guernsey Norman French, is the variety of Norman language spoken in Guernsey A regional language is a Language spoken in an area of a Nation state, whether it be a small area a federal State or Province, or
The legal courts are separate (separate courts of appeal have been in place since 1961). Among the legal heritage from Norman law is the Clameur de Haro. The Clameur de Haro is an ancient legal Injunction of restraint employed by a person that believes they are being wronged by another at that moment
Economy
- See also: Guernsey pound and Jersey pound
Tourism is the major industry in the smaller islands (with some agriculture). The pound is the currency of Guernsey. Since 1921 Guernsey has been in Currency union with the United Kingdom and the Guernsey pound is not a separate currency The pound is the currency of Jersey. Jersey is in Currency union with the United Kingdom and the Jersey pound is not a separate currency but is an issue of banknotes Jersey and Guernsey have, since the 1960s, relied on financial services. Guernsey's horticultural and glasshouse activities have been more significant than in Jersey, and Guernsey has maintained light industry as a higher proportion of its economy than Jersey. Light industry is usually less Capital intensive than Heavy industry, and is more Consumer -oriented than Business -oriented (i Jersey's economy since the 1980s has been substantially more reliant on finance.
Both Bailiwicks issue their own banknotes and coins, which circulate freely in all the islands alongside UK coinage and Bank of England and Scottish banknotes.
Transport and communications
Since 1969, Jersey and Guernsey have operated postal administrations independently of the UK's Royal Mail, with their own postage stamps, which can only be used for postage in their respective Bailiwicks. Royal Mail is the national postal service of the United Kingdom. UK stamps are no longer valid, but mail to the islands, and to the Isle of Man, is still treated as UK inland. The Isle of Man (Ellan Vannin ˈɛlʲən ˈvanɪn or Mann (Mannin) is a self-governing Crown dependency, located in the Irish Sea at the geographical However, it was not until the early 1990s that the islands joined the UK's postcode system, Jersey postcodes using the initials JE and Guernsey using GY. UK Postal codes are known as postcodes. UK postcodes are Alphanumeric.
The islands are connected to the radio and television system of the UK. They are part BBC South West, with two local BBC radio stations, BBC Radio Guernsey and BBC Radio Jersey, but takes BBC television from the Westcountry. It does have its own ITV franchise, Channel Television, which it has held since September 1962. Independent Television (generally known as ITV) is a public service network of British commercial television broadcasters set up under the Independent Channel Television is a British television station which has served as an Independent Television (ITV contractor to the Channel Islands since 1962 Because it is not part of the United Kingdom, it is not listed as part of the digital switchover, but it is expected to change in 2013, after the rest of the UK has completed the switchover. Digital terrestrial television in the United Kingdom is made up of over fifty primarily free-to-air television channels (including all the national analogue stations
Jersey always operated its own telephone services independently of the UK's General Post Office, but Guernsey did not establish its own telephone services until 1969. Basic principle A traditional landline telephone system also known as "plain old telephone service" (POTS, commonly handles both signaling and audio information Both islands still form part of the UK telephone numbering plan, but Ofcom in the UK does not have responsibility for regulatory and licensing issues on the islands. The UK Telephone numbering plan, also known as the National Telephone Numbering Plan, is the system used for assigning Telephone numbers in the United The Office of Communications (Y Swyddfa Gyfathrebiadau or as it is more often known Ofcom is the independent regulator and competition authority for the Communication
The Channel Islands have their own country-code top-level-domains (ccTLDs) on the internet, managed by a Network Information Centre in Alderney. A country The ccTLDs are .gg for the Bailiwick of Guernsey (including Alderney and Sark) and .je for the Bailiwick of Jersey. The codes were established on the Internet in 1996, and were entered on to the official ISO-3166 list of country codes in 2006.
Alderney has a large and growing internet gambling industry.
Each of the three largest islands has a distinct vehicle registration scheme:
- Guernsey (GBG)- simply a number, up to five digits;
- Jersey (GBJ) - J followed by up to seven digits (JSY vanity plates are also issued);
- Alderney (GBA) - AY followed by up to five digits (four digits are the most that have been used, as redundant numbers are re-issued).
In Sark - where most motor traffic is prohibited - the few vehicles (nearly all tractors) on the island do not display plates. Sark (Sercq Sercquiais: Sèr) is a small Island in the southwestern English Channel.
Names used for the cross-Channel ferries plying the mail route between the islands and Weymouth, Dorset (England), in the 1960s were taken from the popular Latin names for the islands 'Caesarea' for Jersey, 'Sarnia' for Guernsey, 'Riduna' for Alderney. Weymouth (ˈweɪməθ is a town in Dorset, England situated on a sheltered bay at the mouth of the River Wey on the English Channel coast Dorset ( (or archaically, Dorsetshire) is a county in South West England on the English Channel coast England is a Country which is part of the United Kingdom. Its inhabitants account for more than 83% of the total UK population whilst its mainland
Culture
- See also: Music of the Channel Islands
Culturally, the Norman language predominated in the islands until the 19th century, when increasing influence from English-speaking settlers and easier transport links led to Anglicisation. The culture of Jersey is the Culture of the Bailiwick of Jersey. The culture of Guernsey is the culture of the island of Guernsey which has been shaped by its indigenous Norman language and traditions as well as French The Channel Islands are located in the English Channel, by Normandy, France. Guernésiais, also known as Dgèrnésiais, Guernsey French, Guernsey Norman French, is the variety of Norman language spoken in Guernsey Norman is a Romance language and one of the Oïl languages. The northern Norman can be classified in the septentrional Oil languages with Picard and There are four main dialects/languages of Norman in the islands, Auregnais (Alderney, extinct in late 20th century), Dgèrnésiais (Guernsey), Jèrriais (Jersey) and Sarkese (Sark, an offshoot of Jèrriais). Auregnais, Aoeur'gnaeux or Aurignais was the Norman dialect of the Channel Island of Alderney ( French: Aurigny Guernésiais, also known as Dgèrnésiais, Guernsey French, Guernsey Norman French, is the variety of Norman language spoken in Guernsey Jèrriais is the form of the Norman language spoken in Jersey, in the Channel Islands, off the coast of France. roa Sercquiais also known as Sarkese or Sark-French ( roa Lé Sèrtchais) is the Norman dialect of the Channel Island of Sark
Victor Hugo spent many years in exile, first in Jersey and then in Guernsey where he wrote Les Misérables. Victor-Marie Hugo ( ( February 26, 1802 – May 22, 1885) was a French Poet, Playwright, Novelist Guernsey is also the setting of Hugo's later novel, Les Travailleurs De La Mer (The Toilers of the Sea). Toilers of the Sea (Les Travailleurs de la mer is a novel by Victor Hugo. A 'Guernsey-man' also makes an appearance in Herman Melville's Moby-Dick. Herman Melville (August 1 1819 &ndash September 28 1891 was an American novelist Short story writer Essayist and poet Moby-Dick is an 1851 Novel by Herman Melville. The story tells the adventures of the wandering sailor Ishmael and his voyage on the whaleship
The annual 'Muratti', the inter-island football match, is considered the sporting event of the year - although, thanks to broadcast coverage, it no longer attracts the crowds of spectators, travelling between the islands, that occurred during the 20th century. The Muratti is an annual men's football competition inaugurated in 1905 between the Channel Islands of Guernsey, Jersey and Alderney Association football, more commonly known as football or soccer, is a Team sport played between two teams of eleven players and is widely considered
Channel Island sportsmen and women compete in the Commonwealth Games for their respective islands, and the islands have been enthusiastic supporters of the Island Games. The Commonwealth Games is a multinational Multi-sport event. Held every four years it involves the elite athletes of the Commonwealth of Nations. International Island Games Association (IGA is an organisation the sole purpose of which is to organise the Island Games a friendly biennial Athletic competition between teams Shooting is a popular sport - islanders have won Commonwealth medals in this discipline.
Guernsey's traditional colour for sporting and other purposes is green and Jersey's is red. Green is a Color, the perception of which is evoked by light having a spectrum dominated by energy with a Wavelength of roughly 520–570- nm. Red is any of a number of similar Colors evoked by light consisting predominantly of the longest wavelengths of Light discernible by the human eye in the wavelength
The main islanders have traditional animal nicknames:
- Guernsey: les ânes ('donkeys' in French and Jèrriais) - the steepness of St. Peter Port streets required beasts of burden, but Guernsey people also claim it is a symbol of their strength of character - which Jersey people traditionally interpret as stubbornness.
- Jersey: crapauds ('toads' in French and Jèrriais) - Jersey has toads and snakes that Guernsey lacks.
- Sark: corbins ('crows' in Sercquiais, Dgèrnésiais and Jèrriais) - crows could be seen from sea on the island's coast. roa Sercquiais also known as Sarkese or Sark-French ( roa Lé Sèrtchais) is the Norman dialect of the Channel Island of Sark Guernésiais, also known as Dgèrnésiais, Guernsey French, Guernsey Norman French, is the variety of Norman language spoken in Guernsey Jèrriais is the form of the Norman language spoken in Jersey, in the Channel Islands, off the coast of France.
- Alderney: lapins ('rabbits') - The island is noted for its warrens.
Christianity was brought to the islands around the 6th century; according to tradition, Jersey was evangelised by Saint Helier, Guernsey by Saint Samson of Dol and other smaller islands were occupied at various times by monastic communities representing strands of Celtic Christianity. Christianity ( Greek Χριστιανισμός from the word Xριστός ( Christ)is a monotheistic Religion centered on the life and teachings Saint Helier, a 6th century ascetic Hermit, is Patron saint of Jersey in the Channel Islands, and in particular of the town and Parish Saint Samson of Dol (born late 5th century was a Christian religious figure who is counted among the Seven founder saints of Brittany. Celtic Christianity, or Insular Christianity (sometimes called the Celtic Church or the British Church) broadly refers to the Early Medieval At the Reformation, the islands turned Calvinist under the influence of an influx of French-language pamphlets published in Geneva. The Protestant Reformation was a reform movement in Europe that began in 1517 though its roots lie further back in time Calvinism (sometimes called the Reformed tradition, the Reformed faith, or Reformed theology) is a theological system and an approach to the Anglicanism was imposed in the 17th century, but the Non-Conformist tendency re-emerged with a strong adoption of Methodism. Anglicanism is a tradition of Christian faith Churches in this tradition either have historical connections to the Church of England or have similar beliefs Methodism is a movement within Protestant Christianity represented by a number of denominations and organizations The presence of long-term Catholic communities from France and seasonal workers from Brittany and Normandy added to the mix of denominations among the population.
Other islands in the English Channel
There are other islands in other stretches of the English Channel that are not traditionally included within the grouping of Channel Islands. Among these are Ouessant/Ushant, Bréhat, Île de Batz, and Îles Saint-Marcouf (under French jurisdiction), and the Isle of Wight and the Isles of Scilly (both under UK jurisdiction and part of England). Ushant (Enez Eusa Ouessant is an Island in the English Channel which marks the north-westernmost point of European France. Île-de-Bréhat (Enez Vriad is an Island located near Paimpol, a mile off the northern coast of Bretagne. The Île de Batz ( Enez Vaz in Breton) is an island off Roscoff in Brittany, France. Îles Saint-Marcouf are a group of two small uninhabited islands off the coast of Normandy, France. The Isle of Wight is an English Island and county in the English Channel between three and five miles (8 km from the south coast of the England is a Country which is part of the United Kingdom. Its inhabitants account for more than 83% of the total UK population whilst its mainland
External links
- Map of Alderney
- Map of Guernsey, Herm, and Sark
- Map of Jersey
- .GG and .JE Domain Registry
- States of Alderney
- States of Guernsey
- States of Jersey
- Seigneur of Sark
- Channel Islands at Britlink
References
- Encyclopedia Britannica Vol. 5 (1951), Encyclopedia Britannica, Inc. , Chicago - London - Toronto
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