On Mon, 29 Aug 2005 at 13:26:31 in message
b2EQe.74122$084.37584@attbi_s22, Jay Honeck
wrote:
Sorry, I didn't realize that you British ran things as stupidly as we
Americans. I guess I thought better of you.
I'm almost afraid to ask WHY these places would want to be British territory
but NOT part of the United Kingdom? Tradition, I presume?
The Channel Islands were given the choice of their allegiance being
either France or England many years ago. Probably around 900 years ago!
They chose England and kept their local systems but owe allegiance to
the Crown. Their original governments were very close to democracy even
that long ago. The islands are convenient havens for many international
companies.
They are still not full members of the EU and can set their own taxes.
Quote from Encyclopaedia Britannica:
French Īles Normandes, or Anglo-normandes, archipelago in the English
Channel, west of the Cotentin peninsula of France, at the entrance to
the Gulf of Saint-Malo, 80 miles (130 km) south of the English coast.
The islands are dependencies of the British crown (and not strictly part
of the United Kingdom), having been so attached since the Norman
Conquest of 1066, when they formed part of the duchy of Normandy. They
comprise four main islands, Jersey, Guernsey, Alderney, and Sark
(qq.v.), with lesser islets and a labyrinth of rocks and reefs. The
total land area is 75 square miles (194 square km). They are
administered according to local laws and customs, being grouped into two
distinct bailiwicks of Guernsey and Jersey, with differing
constitutions. Alderney, Sark, Herm, Jethou, Lihou, and Brecqhouare
Guernsey's dependencies, and the Ecrehous rocks and Les Minquiers are
Jersey's. The last two were the source of long-standing dispute between
England and France until 1953,when the International Court of Justice
confirmed British sovereignty. In the late 20th century, the dispute
revived, as sovereignty of these islands determines allocation of rights
to economic development (specifically, petroleum) of the continental
shelf.
Fine scenery, flowering vegetation, and a mild maritime climate have
made the Channel Islands popular resort areas. The islands, the only
British territory to endure German occupation during World War II, are
famous for their breeds of cattle and for the export of fruit, flowers,
tomatoes, and early potatoes. They enjoy tax sovereignty, and their
exports are protected by British tariff barriers. English and French are
commonly spoken (though use of the latter is declining), and a
Norman-French patois survives. St. Helier, on Jersey, and St. Peter
Port (qq.v.), on Guernsey, are the islands' main population centres.
Pop. (1990 est.) 143,683.
--
David CL Francis
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