Map of the Channel Islands

So here we are nestling in the Gulf of St. Malo, positioned in sheltered waters, protected by the Cherbourg Peninsula. Being so close to Mainland France the Islands are heavily influenced by their position. In Jersey the legislative laws are all written in Patois Jersey/French, and many of the ceremonies are also carried out in the Jersey/French Patois. Most of the place names, and roads are also in French. We have our own currency the Jersey Pound, which is basically the same as the British Pound. Jersey has a worldwide reputation as an Offshore Banking centre. Of course our very own breed of Cows, world famous for its very high yield of cream. Channel Islanders have always been akin to the sea, being great seafarers, and many served with the British navy fighting the French and Spanish in the Americas, with many place names being named after C.I. titles ( New Jersey.) as Channel Islanders stayed and set up homesteads in the New World.

The Channel Islands have not always been so friendly to each other, during the British Civil War, Jersey supported the Crown, while Guernsey supported the Republican cause. There are still many reminders in the Channel Islands of these times, small round forts, named Martello Towers, are evident scattered around the southern and Eastern coastlines. There are also other reminders of war still very evident in the Islands, German bunkers and gun enplacements, tunnels and a large Military Hospital hewn out of a hillside (of granite) still exist. There is a rich history still to be found here in the Channel Islands. See links for more information on the Occupation and also books on the History of the Islands, there are also books on Tourism, Wildlife, Recipes, artists etc.