The Channel Islands lie in the English Channel between England and France, near Normandy. They are directly linked to the British Crown and thus have a special administrative status.
Regions
The islands are located just off the French coast, seen from there they are called Îles Anglo-Normandes. There are two administrative districts (bailiwick):
- with the small offshore islands
background
In the Middle Ages, the Channel Islands were part of the lands of the Duke of Normandy; this title is still held today in personal union by the kings and queens of the United Kingdom. The islands do not belong to the United Kingdom but are directly subordinate to the British Crown (crown dependency), they have their own legislative competence. For this reason, an important business area is the establishment of mailbox companies for tax avoidance, especially in Jersey.
After the fall of France, the islands were the only part of Great Britain that came under German administration (Churchill had withdrawn his troops without a fight). Only Alderney was evacuated, and it was here that they built Organization Todt Defense structures for the Atlantic Wall. Even the allies who landed in other parts of Normandy in 1944 didn't think the island was worth a bullet, they tried to starve it out. The Germans only surrendered here on May 9, 1945, the British military landed in Alderney a week later.
getting there
Due to an additional protocol to the EU treaty, the islands will also be part of the customs territory of the EU until at least March 2019.[outdated] You are as part of the Anglo-Irish Common Travel Area, not part of the Schengen area.
By plane
See for the respective airports jersey or. guernsey.
By boat
There are several ferry services that connect the Channel Islands with each other and with France (Saint Malo, Cherbourg) and England (Portsmouth, Weymouth, Poole).
Details of the ports of the respective main towns Saint Helier and Saint Peter Port.
mobility
On the Channel Islands you drive on the left. It is not absolutely necessary to have your own car, Jersey and Guernsey have very good bus networks. Exploring by bike is also practical.
Details in the articles of the islands jersey and guernsey.
language
English as the official and colloquial language, but partly (also in the legal language) with some French entries, one Patois.
to buy
There are two local currencies, the Jersey pound and the Guernsey pound. They are only accepted on the Channel Islands (also on the other) and are difficult to exchange in the mother country. In addition, the British pound is in circulation at par.
kitchen
Basically English, so fatty: "chips, cheese and gravy." However, this is tempered by the proximity of French, more civilized food customs and by the sea, which makes corresponding animals easily available. This is evident in dishes like Gâche mélée a spicy apple pie that does not deny its Norman origins. There are also good local dairy products, especially on Guernsey. Valued as early potatoes are those traditionally fertilized with algae Jersey Royal.
A meal in a simple restaurant costs two from £ 20, a decent dinner with wine around £ 80. As in Great Britain, there are comparatively high excise taxes, so in 2018 you can get £ 4 for a beer (0.35 l) Pub and expect £ 8.20 for a pack of cigarettes. That is well above the French level.
Randall’s is the local brewery. Otherwise you make cider. Rocquette Cider is the most important brand here.
accommodation
Details in the articles of the islands jersey and guernsey.
Work
Immigration controls are subject to local, restrictive laws (for guernsey), but in principle it is still possible for EFTA citizens to take up work until March 2019 without any problems.[outdated]
public holidays
The usual UK bank holidays. As in the countries of the former Soviet Union, the end of World War II is celebrated as Liberation Day on May 9th.
climate
The climate is very much influenced by the Atlantic. Rain is always to be expected.
Practical advice
The Channel Islands belong Not to the EU roaming zone, d. That means, calling with your home SIM card can be very expensive.
literature
There are several German-language travel guides specializing in books in bookshops, such as Channel Islands,jersey or Guernsey, which are reissued regularly.
- history
- Peddle, Sandra Peddle, Vince; Pagan Channel islands: Europe's hidden heritage; London 2007 (Robert Hale); ISBN 9780709082484
- Thornton, Tim; Channel Islands: 1370-1640; between England and Normandy; Woodbridge 2012 (Boydell Press); ISBN 9781843837114
The time of German administration 1941-5 has been the subject of several historical studies since 2000:
- Auerbach, Hans; Channel Islands; Paris ²1942 (Paris newspaper i.K.)
- Bunting, Madeleine; Model occupation: the Channel Islands under German rule 1940-45; London 2004 (Pimlico); ISBN 184413086X
- Lippmann, Harry; Military museums in the Channel Islands; Cologne 2008 (DAWA-Nachrichten / special issue)
- McLoughlin, Roy; Living with the enemy - what really happened; German as: British Isles under the swastika; Berlin 2003 (left); ISBN 3861533057
- Stephenson, Charles; Channel Islands 1941-45: Hitler's impregnable fortress; Oxford 2006 (Osprey); ISBN 1841769215
Web links
- Information for sailors (Guernsey; Eng.)
- visitchannelislands.com (with intrusive advertising and registration requests for online brochures)
