Channel Islands

The Channel Islands are an archipelago in the English Channel off the coast of Normandy, France, historically the remnants of the Duchy of Normandy. They are divided into two self governing Crown Dependencies, the Bailiwick of Jersey and the Bailiwick of Guernsey, the latter itself split into the jurisdictions of Guernsey, Alderney and Sark. Though closely tied to the United Kingdom, which handles their defense and international relations, the islands are not part of the UK, the Commonwealth of Nations or the European Union. Their combined population is about 171,916, concentrated in the capitals Saint Helier and Saint Peter Port.