Guernsey is situated in the Gulf of St Malo in the southern part of the English Channel.
The island covers an area of approximately twenty-four square miles and has a population of 62,000. Its population has grown to its present level from around 38,000 immediately after the war, largely as a result of the burgeoning growth of its finance industry. There are in excess of 40 licensed banks on the Island. In addition to the banks, the finance industry also includes fiduciaries, solicitors, accountants and others who play an integral part. The industry contributes over 40% of the Island's GNP.
The Island was part of the Duchy of Normandy until 1204, which marked the beginnings of its present independent form of government with strong links to the British Crown.
Guernsey has no party politics; the government consisting of committees drawn from independently elected individuals. Our complete independence, autonomy and self government are jealously guarded.
It is this long, stable history that has contributed to the success of the finance industry, aided by the sophisticated policies adopted by the Guernsey Financial Services Commission, whose aims include countering financial crime and terrorist financing, coordinating international assessments of Guernsey's regulatory standards, and the granting of licences only to approved practitioners.
The island has excellent communications with the UK and Europe, with numerous daily flights to London and other destinations as well as high-speed ferry links with England and nearby France.