Guernsey: Background & Geography
| Introduction | Guernsey |
|
Background:
|
The island of Guernsey and the other Channel Islands represent the last remnants of the medieval Dukedom of Normandy, which held sway in both France and England. The islands were the only British soil occupied by German troops in World War II. |
| Geography | Guernsey |
|
Location:
|
Western Europe, islands in the English Channel, northwest of France |
|
Geographic coordinates:
|
49 28 N, 2 35 W |
|
Map references:
|
Europe |
|
Area:
|
total: 78 sq km
note: includes Alderney, Guernsey, Herm, Sark, and some other smaller islands water: 0 sq km land: 78 sq km |
|
Area - comparative:
|
about one-half the size of Washington, DC |
|
Land boundaries:
|
0 km |
|
Coastline:
|
50 km |
|
Maritime claims - as described in UNCLOS 1982 (see Notes and Definitions):
|
territorial sea: 3 NM
exclusive fishing zone: 12 NM |
|
Climate:
|
temperate with mild winters and cool summers; about 50% of days are overcast |
|
Terrain:
|
mostly level with low hills in southwest |
|
Elevation extremes:
|
lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m
highest point: unnamed location on Sark 114 m |
|
Natural resources:
|
cropland |
|
Land use:
|
arable land: NA%
permanent crops: NA% other: NA% |
|
Irrigated land:
|
NA sq km |
|
Natural hazards:
|
NA |
|
Environment - current issues:
|
NA |
|
Geography - note:
|
large, deepwater harbor at Saint Peter Port |