Where in the World?


In describing the Channel Islands to non-locals it is sometimes difficult to get the right terms of reference as to what we are and are not a part of, so here is a guide of political and geographic terms and how we fit into them.

Term
What is it
Are the Islands Part
England
A country on the island of Great Britain that is a part of the United Kingdom
No
Great Britain
Is the island off the cost of mainland Europe but exludes the Islands of Ireland, the Isle of Man and the Channel Islands
No
Britain
The meaning is unclear but it is normally used as an abbreviation of Great Britain
No
Normandy
An ancient Duchy of Northern France now split into Franco-Normandy (Haute Normandie and Basse Normandie) and Anglo-Normandy (the Bailiwicks of Guernsey and Jersey).
Yes
United Kingdom
The Union of the Nations of England, Scotland and Wales plus the Province of Northern Ireland
No
British Isles
All the Islands off the coast of mainland Europe including Ireland
Yes
The Commonwealth
A collection of sovereign and dependent states with common links with the former British Empire
Yes
France
A country of western Europe
No
Brittany
A region of northern France
No
European Union
A community of European nations including the United Kingdom
No
 
I hope this makes thing a little clearer.