Guernseyis the second-largest island in theChannel Islands, located 27 miles (43 km) west of theCotentin Peninsula,Normandy. It is the largest island in theBailiwick of Guernsey, which includes five other inhabited islands and many small islets and rocks. The bailiwick has a population of 63,950,the vast majority of whom live on Guernsey, and the island has a land area of 24 square miles (62 km2).
Guernsey was part of theDuchy of Normandyuntil 1204, when the Channel Islands remained loyal to the English crown, splitting from mainland Normandy. In 1290, the Channel Islands were divided administratively and Guernsey became part of the Bailiwick of Guernsey, a self-governingdependency of the British Crown. The island is thus not part of theUnited Kingdom, although the UK government has certain responsibilities for the Bailiwick.
The island is particularly well known for itscattle. Guernsey's culture is strongly influenced byBritain, evident in its use of thepound sterlingand the status ofEnglishas the primary native language. Norman andFrench culturealso have an impact, such as the island's traditional language,Guernésiais. As well as this, French writerVictor Hugospent fifteen years in exile in Guernsey, where he wrote some of his best-known works.